Page 76 of The Surprise Play (Nolan U Football #3)

GRADY

Romantic saps. I just can’t fucking get away from them.

Stomping up the stairs, I growl in my throat, anger firing through me.

Well, anger and a bunch of other stuff I don’t want to deal with.

Shit!

Fuck!

Gripping my door handle, I shove it open. It takes everything in me not to slam it closed with maximum force.

I’m so pissed off right now I can’t even see straight.

You’re not pissed off, you’re… wounded.

I don’t want to be.

I’d rather be pissed and raging.

This feeling is so much worse.

As I plunk onto the end of my bed and rest my head in my hands, I hate myself for having any emotion left over this relationship that ended two months ago!

But I’d be stupid to deny the truth .

I know what I just saw, and it hurts like a knife through the abdomen.

Teah’s found herself another guy.

And not just any guy.

She was making out with Finn Macalister.

He has a rep. Enough for me to know about him, anyway.

He’s a basketball player with skin so white he looks like a fucking vampire.

Girls always go on about how hot he is, but I seriously don’t see the appeal.

He’s got piercings in who knows how many places, raven-black hair, and these pale blue eyes. Fucking demon eyes.

But that’s not why I know him.

He’s wild.

I’ve heard the rumors. Stories are rife about the guy and the trouble he constantly gets into.

And Teah’s dating him?

What the actual shit?

He’s everything I’m not.

Maybe that’s why she’s into him.

I sigh, groaning into my hands and hating myself for even obsessing over this.

We’ve been broken up since New Year’s, and the last couple of weeks, I’ve started to feel more like myself again, like I’m moving on.

And then I have to round the corner and find them practically dry humping against the building wall.

Teah’s eyes were closed, her head tipped back, this sexy-ass look on her face while Macalister ate at her neck like…

“Like a fucking vampire,” I seethe.

How the fuck did he get her under his spell?

The guy’s a complete asshole, and I’m? —

Growling, I shoot to my feet and start pacing the room.

I’m good. I’m sensible. I’m the guy everyone can rely on. Mr. Fix-It. The tech-man.

Mr. Fucking Boring!

Punching the air with another growl, I pace around like a caged tiger until I can’t handle it anymore.

I need to go for a run.

I’ve been doing that a lot lately, burning off my energy with sprints through the snow-lined streets. I blast my music and get lost in the rhythm of my breathing.

It helps.

At least I think it does.

As the sky turns dark, I pound the pavement, dodging visions of Teah and Mac doing the dirty in every position imaginable. I’m about to lose my fucking mind when I dart out onto the road, lights flashing over me just before the squeal of brakes and a loud horn blast.

I jump out of the way, raising my hand in apology, my heart pounding.

Shit. I nearly got hit by a fucking car.

Slowing to a walk, I try to rein in my reckless emotions and use some common sense.

I can’t let a girl control me this way anymore. Teah’s lived rent-free in my head for too long, and although I can’t imagine her shifting out anytime soon, the least I can do is move her into a back corner.

It’s what I’d been naturally doing until I saw her this afternoon.

Sucking in a few deep breaths, I rest my hands on my hips and walk back to Football Frat. By the time I reach the front door, my heart rate has dropped back to normal, and I climb the stairs, determined not to let my night be ruined by one woman.

The woman I’d wondered if I might marry.

The one who’d stolen my heart with zero effort.

Shit, I was a romantic sap. I can’t let myself get snared again so easily.

“Never,” I grit out as I pull out my earbuds and kick off my running shoes.

Whipping off my shirt and socks, I dump them in the hamper, then peel off my running shorts and underwear, wrapping a towel around my waist before heading to the bathroom. I’m so busy lathering myself in self-talk and reprimands that I don’t even notice the bar of light under the doorway.

The bathroom isn’t locked, and I burst in, flicking the door closed behind me.

I’m not even aware of anybody else in here until I notice the steamy mirror, then glance right to spot a completely naked woman shaving her legs. Her foot is resting against the bathtub, and I bulge my eyes at her.

Oh fuck. It’s Blake.

I just stand there in stunned silence for a second.

Turn the fuck around, man. What are you doing? Apologize and get out!

But my eyes are locked on her stunning body for a second, and I’m waiting for her to yelp or turn, grab a towel, and cover herself. But she does none of those things.

Instead, she stands tall, the razor still in her hand as she smirks at me and asks, “Can I help you with something?”

Her boobs are on full display, and I blink at their perfect shape. They’re perky and sweet with a puckered pink nipple on each.

Holy shit.

For reasons beyond my belief, I’m suddenly picturing myself sucking them, massaging those pert tits, and?—

Look the fuck away!

I snap my eyes closed and stammer, “I… I’m… uh…”

She giggles, and I’m so surprised by the sound, my eyes pop straight back open. She’s now facing me fully, and I can see everything. From the top of her wild curls to her delicate nose, then those perfect breasts and slender stomach…

And my rebellious eyes just keep traveling…

Checking out that neatly maintained triangle of dark brown hair covering her pussy to a pair of slender, perfectly shaped legs.

I can’t stop my gaze from trailing down those luscious legs, skipping over the shaving cream and landing on ten cute little toes that are painted black.

“Enjoying the view?” Her voice is laced with amusement, and I step back, crashing into the door and wrestling with the handle behind me.

“I’m so sorry,” I manage.

She grins at me. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she raises her right eyebrow, her eyes traveling down my body now. She’s gazing at my torso, her lips twitching before she brushes her teeth over her bottom lip and shocks the hell out of me.

“I’ve shown you mine. Maybe you can show me yours.” The tip of her pink tongue pokes out the side of her mouth, and…

Holy fuck .

Her bold flirting is beyond sexy, but I would be out of my damn mind to entertain something like that with her.

One little flick of my towel and we’d both be naked.

And Wily would kill my ass.

Then he’d revive me just so he could finish me off again.

There is no fucking way I’m going there with his baby sister.

The thought of Wily’s outrage jolts me into action, and I manage to turn the handle and pull the door open. Squeezing through the gap, I quickly shut it behind me and lean my head against the wood.

My heart’s pounding again, but for a whole different reason.

Adjusting myself, I then have to cover my tented towel as I rush back to my room and shut the door, beyond relieved that Wily can’t be upstairs right now.

Fuck, I am one shitty friend.

Slumping onto my bed, I bury my face beneath my arm and groan.

I am in so much fucking trouble.

Blake is living at Football Frat for who knows how long, and I’ve just seen her butt naked.

And damn, did I like what I saw.

My insides churn with a desire I haven’t felt since losing Teah and?—

“Nope!” I jerk up, squeezing the bridge of my nose and giving myself the loudest warning I fucking can. “Do not go there, man. Just don’t.”

But we all know he’s going to, right?

Because Blake can’t get enough of this game, and she’s determined to make herself impossible to resist… until Grady starts to see right through her and she’s forced to trust him with her secrets.

Can these two save each other before Wily finds out and all hell breaks loose?

Find out in THE ILLICIT PLAY, due for release September 30, 2025.