Page 29 of Hard Count (Newhouse University #4)

NASH

Drew’s on the stair climber when I walk into the gym.

I rush over and give her a quick kiss. It’s a cruel punishment having to leave her and not steal her away to somewhere more private.

She caught me off guard the first time I found her working out here.

I didn’t expect it. I can admit I didn’t like it very much either.

She looked hot as fuck doing her leg workout in the spandex leggings she practically lives in.

I’m sure she thought I was being an asshole trying to get her to leave when she had every right to be here as I did.

At that moment, I didn’t care. All I could think about is every guy in the gym getting to look at her and not knowing she was mine.

Because even back then, she was my girl.

The gym has become a part of our daily routine. I love that I get to see her first thing every morning. It’s the best way to start the day. The only thing better would be waking up with her in my bed before she slips out to start her day.

Drew is a morning person by nature. She likes being up before the sun and working out in the quiet mornings. I’m up by force. If I wasn’t disciplined, I would stay up all night playing video games and sleep until noon.

I drop my bag off in the locker room and fill my water bottle.

Today’s workout is going to be light. We have a long practice this afternoon and I’m still recovering from last week’s game.

It was a tough one that had me laid out on my back thanks to late hits and a blitz defense.

Even with Drew’s help, we barely pulled that win off.

You can’t predict players when they don’t give a fuck about late hit penalties.

I find an empty treadmill, put in my ear buds, and scroll my phone until one of my favorite playlists pops up.

I need something that will motivate me to stay on this thing for a few miles.

I don’t know how Drew can complete a full workout and then run.

I want to get this part over with as soon as I walk in the door.

After one mile, I’m already sweating. I lift the hem of my shirt and wipe the sweat off my face.

DREW:

You’re so hot.

Her text plays in my ear, cutting off my music for a moment. Grinning, I scan the gym and spot her by the free weights. Asher is with her. More than likely talking her ear off. There goes her peaceful morning.

DREW:

Will you come over tonight?

I snag my phone and send a quick text back. She doesn’t even need to ask.

DREW:

Asher just asked me who the best animated superhero is—Superman or Spiderman. He doesn't understand why I'm so offended.

I remove my earbuds and hit the stop button on the treadmill when I notice Drew and Asher in an animated discussion. She is counting something off on her fingers, no doubt making a point about the superiority of manga.

My little fox has turned into quite the junkie. She sends me photos and screenshots every other day with a new series she’s started or asking if I have one she can borrow. She’s completely fascinated. I wouldn’t be surprised if we spend part of the night watching anime when I go over later.

I don’t know who I need to rescue from the debate, Asher or Drew? “Hi, baby.” I pull her into my side and kiss her forehead. “Asher.” I lift my free hand for a fist bump. “Everything okay over here?”

“Absolutely.” She beams a smile at me.

“She just gave me a list of anime I have to watch before I can say who the greatest superhero is.” He crosses his arm over his chest.

“That’s my girl.” I squeeze her tighter in my arms.

“You’ve created a monster,” Asher says, throwing his hands in the air and walking away .

Drew and I laugh when he strolls over to a few guys on the team and immediately starts asking them questions. He should have been a journalism major.

“Are you almost finished in here?” I ask, pushing wisps of her hair out of her face.

“Yeah, I’m going to go run for a bit. Clear my head.”

“Anything you want to talk about it?”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine. Just stressed.” Dark circles under eyes mark her pale skin.

“No more late nights watching tape. You need to rest.”

“I can’t. Last week’s game was hard and Texas is going to be even tougher. I haven’t figured out their weak spots yet, but I will.”

I drag Drew over to the hallway that leads to the locker rooms. Pulling her into my arms, I kiss her slowly.

I cup her face in my hands and stare into her green eyes that have lost their shine thanks to late nights and very little sleep.

“I love that you give your all to everything you do but I can’t let you lose yourself to this.

You have to take care of yourself first. If you won’t, I have no problem stepping in and doing it for you.

I’m not going to let you burn yourself out. ”

“Is this the part of the conversation where I say you aren’t letting me do anything because I make decisions for myself? I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

“You can tell me whatever you want. But I know you don’t have it in you to quit. You’ll keep pushing until it’s too late. I don’t like seeing you tired and worn out like this.” I glide my thumb against her cheek.

This is her work and passion but it's hard to watch her disintegrating before my eyes. "I know this is important to you and it's difficult to stop but you're important to me." She may need to do this but I need her. “Why don’t you cut out of here early and take a nap before class?”

“I appreciate your concern. I really do but I’m fine. I promise.” She pops a kiss on my lips. “Go finish your workout. I’ll cut my run back.” She pushes me forward without giving me a chance to argue. “Hey, Nash.”

“Yeah?” I stop walking and turn to face her.

“Thanks for caring enough to say something,” she says, her tone firm while her hands tremble and eyes gloss over.

“Always. I’ll come by your place when I’m done and drive you to class.” It takes all my control not to whisk her away and tell her how much I love and care about her. She nods and backs down the hallway into the women's’ locker room.

I pop my earbuds back in and start doing pullups. Drew walks back into the main gym area with ruddy cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. She hops on an empty treadmill at the end of the row. Standing with her feet on the foot rails, she grabs her phone, keeping one eye on me.

DREW:

Stop worrying. I'm fine.

I was crying because you care.

I drop from where I’m hanging on the pull up bar. I don’t like that the simple act of showing her she matters and is important to me is making her cry. It isn’t me caring that’s making her cry. It’s the fact that no one else has in the past and that pisses me the fuck off.

DREW:

Are you going to give me something to look at while I run?

Put on a show for me.

She turns on the treadmill and starts jogging at an easy pace with her eyes glued to me. She claps her hands in a chop chop motion. This girl knows how to flip my mood on its head. She’s the one who’s upset yet still finds a way to make me feel better.

“Hope you’re ready, baby,” I mumble to myself as I take my shirt off and chalk up my hands. I jump and grab the bar, starting with some basic pullups. Drew drags her tongue over her lips as she brazenly scans my body.

DREW:

Is that the best you got?

I laugh as her text plays in my ear. I readjust my hands until I feel my grip will hold while I hang from the bar. With my legs bent at the knees, I lift them twisting to contract my oblique muscles. Drew's foot catches but she quickly recovers.

It’s a nice little ego boost seeing her get worked up over me in the gym. Usually I’m the one drooling at her feet when she’s in here doing her lunges and leg lifts.

DREW:

You're making me wet and needy for you .

Fuck, baby . My hand slips from the bar and I have to twist my wrist to keep from falling.

Her teeth rake over her bottom lip and her breathing increases as she drinks me in with hooded eyes.

I drop from the bar and readjust myself.

It doesn’t do me a lot of good since I’m wearing polyester gym shorts.

I glare in her direction when her giggles fill the gym.

“Nash, thought I’d find you here.” I take an earbud out when Coach stops in front of me. “I wanted to catch you before your first class. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” I grab my water bottle off the ground, take a quick sip, and then hold it to hide my dick. Having Drew’s dad here is definitely a boner killer.

“How are you feeling? Last week’s game was a tough one.”

“I’m good. Body’s a little sore but I’ve played through worse.”

DREW:

Every step I take the seam of my leggings rubs against my clit. I wish it was your tongue.

I choke on my spit and start coughing. I take a sip of my water while glaring at Drew over her dad’s shoulder. She bites down on her lip and she closes her eyes as if she’s imagining me touching her.

I would say I regret her finding out my phone reads my texts, but I’ll never be mad about seeing that look on her face. I just wish it was in private and not in front of her dad and the entire gym.

“How are you doing mentally?” he asks.

DREW:

Has anyone ever come while running on a treadmill? When I close my eyes, I think I could. Do you want to watch me?

“Great,” I say, in a high-pitched squeal. Clearing my throat, I try again. “Great. I’m good. My mind is clear and focused.” My eyes dart to Drew. I’m definitely focused on something.

“I’m glad to hear it. We only have a few games left. As long as we stay sharp, we’ll be seeing another championship.”

DREW:

I'm so close.

“The championship is ours, Coach,” I say, through gritted teeth. Coach’s eyebrows furrow in confusion but he doesn’t say anything. Only nods and claps a hand on my shoulder before leaving toward the front door of the gym. Once he clears the door, I focus my attention back on Drew.

It’s time for a fox hunt.

“Can I help you?” she asks, when I stand beside her treadmill. “Or are you here to help me finish?” She quirks an eyebrow.

I hurdle myself onto her treadmill, straddling the running deck and crowding her back. My hard cock slides between her ass cheeks. Her hand reaches for the stop button, but I grab her wrist before she can shut it off.

“I don’t think so. You’re not stopping until you come. You said you were close.” I lean into her ear. “It’s your turn to put on a show for me. Hold on to the treadmill, baby. ”

Her hands grip onto the side railings and I hold her hips in place while her feet move beneath her. Scanning the gym, I check to see if anyone is paying attention to us. We’re well hidden and isolated in the back corner and blocked by a wall on one side.

I slide my hand to the front of her body and down to her clit. She pushes her ass harder against my cock at the same time I add more pressure with my finger. I leave open mouth kisses down her neck and shoulder. “That’s it,” I say, when her head drops back against my chest.

“Nash,” she groans when I turn the speed up a notch on the treadmill to give her more friction. “I can’t.”

“You can handle it. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.” I move my hand off her clit and back to her hip. “Run it out.” I press her tighter against my dick. “Are you proud of yourself for sending me all those texts? Do you like how hard you make me when you say those things to me?”

“Yes,” she moans quietly. Sliding my hand back down to her pussy, I rub my finger back and forth through her slit. She bites hard on her lip to keep quiet. I kiss her neck and behind her ear enjoying the salty flavor of her sweat-coated skin.

“Me too. Now come for me,” I command. Her feet catch on the running track when her legs start to tremble. I lift her up by her waist and guide her feet to the side rails. “Always so pretty when you come.”

She slams her hand on the stop button and grabs her water, gulping down heavy sips. “I thought you said you didn’t like me looking tired and worn out. Look at me now. I’m absolutely drained.”

“Then I better get you home to clean you up and ready for your nap.” I grab her stuff and help her off the treadmill. “I’m going to grant your wish and remind you how much better my tongue is than these.” I smack the side of her hip lightly.