Page 76 of Reverse Pass

He slides out of me, and I collapse into a heap against the sheets. He’s down next to me a second later, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close to him. I watch as his chest rises and falls, still heavy with a sheen of sweat and exhaustion.

“I’m sorry… that was…” His brow furrows as he tries to catch his breath.

“Hot as hell?” I grin.

“I was thinking sloppy and not very considerate, but in my defense your body is too fucking perfect. Like next level leave-my-body-as-I’m-coming perfect.”

“Uh, well whatever version that was of you… holy fuck. He’s hot. And he can fuck me raw and sloppy anytime.” I grin and press a kiss to his ribs.

“Fuck.” He drags a hand over his face. “We should have talked about that more before we… But like I said, I get tested regularly and that was a first for me.”

“Same. I wanted it, but if you regret it, I’m sorry for—"

“No. Fuck no. I get to be one of Violet Kennedy’s firsts? I don’t regret that for a fucking second. I might get it engraved somewhere though.”

We both laugh until it gets quiet.

“I’m gonna get a quick shower but then is it okay if I stay?” I ask quietly.

“Yes, but only if you stay naked and curled up next to me.” He grins.

“Deal,” I agree.

TWENTY-FOUR

Ben

When I hitthe field for warmups, Colton looks out of sorts. Like he can barely concentrate, and thinly veiled anger is dancing over his features.

“Everything okay?” I ask. I feel like an ass because I’m so high on how well everything is going in my life; I can barely keep from smiling.

“Nah. I’m fucking over it.”

“Over what?”

“Everything at this point. Football. School. Women.”

I frown. Colton had a long-term girlfriend back at his old school who from all appearances on social media worshipped the ground he walked on. He’d gone from a bench position on his last team to starting quarterback here, so the move made sense for him, but it couldn’t be easy.

“You’re killing it here, so what am I missing?”

“She cheated on me.”

“What?” I’m shocked to hear it given everything I know, and the fact that Colton seems devoted to her.

“My girlfriend. She doesn’t even know I know yet. I don’t even know how to have the conversation. I feel sick man. We’ve been together since high school.”

“Are you sure? I mean people can say anything…”

“There’s a photo, and a video. Someone took it at a party.”

“Again, it could be— “

“She did it. I know in my gut. She’s been off lately and I knew something wasn’t right. Seeing it just confirmed it.” He cuts me off.

“Fuck, I’m sorry man.”

“If I hadn’t come here for school, to play ball. It wouldn’t have happened.”