“Study his film. Take advantage of being in the presence of a great college ball turned elite NFL player,” Coach says firmly, and I nod.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m running through the itinerary with the team tomorrow. Make sure by the time we’re leaving you’re caught up on your work so we don’t have any issues while we’re out there.”
“I'll be ready,” I promise, standing up. “Thank you, Coach. I don’t know what else to say.”
He waves me off. “You don’t have to say a damn thing. You earned this, Evans. Now go out and prove it to everyone.”
Leaving with a short goodbye, I don’t bother heading back to the locker room, knowing everyone would be gone by now, and head to my truck.
Jacob fucking Miller wants to have dinner with me. The Crossbills coaches have asked about me. It’s all too much for my teeny tiny brain to handle.
As I slide into the driver’s seat, my phone buzzes.
Honey:Food's getting cold. Everything okay with Coach?
Zach:On my way. Got some amazing news to tell you, Honeycomb.
I add quickly:
Zach:I love you, Honeycomb.
Fuck me, ten days away from Honey when she’s only just started getting comfortable at our home. I’ve been away from her for longer, but this time feels different. It’s the start of my career prospects and the reminder that if all goes to plan, next year will be our last year together here. I’ll be moving to whatever team drafts me, and Honey will be here… still figuring things out.
Her smile, her scent, and the way she curls into my side are the only things that keep me grounded during game time.
How the fuck am I supposed to cope with that?
I blow out a breath and start the truck. It’s something I’ll have to figure out another time. Right now, I need to get to my girl.
“Jacob Miller, huh?” Honey says with a smirk pulling across her lips.
“Yeah, you remember him, right? He’s the quarterback who was drafted right before we started here.”
Her eyes roll to the ceiling, and she tilts her head playfully from side to side. “Jacob Miller…. Jacob Miller…”
I take her hand, drawing her attention to me. “Yeah, we’ve talked about this before. It’s the guy you thought was hot. Tan skin, dimpled smile, and abs that nearly rival mine.” I push out alaugh. “I’m pretty sure he’s the only guy you would’ve left me for if he’d stayed at St. Michael’s.”
Her brows cross together and she breaks away from my hand before pushing herself away from the table. “Is that what you really think?” Her hand grazes my shoulder, and she tips her chin toward my lap.
I shift, pushing the chair out and spreading my legs wider, making room for her. I don’t bother to hide the evident boner since it’s pretty much a fact of life at this point. A Honey proximity meter, if you will. She breathes; I react.
She plops down on my lap, directly on said erection, and wraps her arms around me, throwing the most innocent smile my way. The audacity for her to act like she doesn’t know what she’s doing when she’s literally grinding her hips down on the problem she caused in the first place.
“Do you really think I’d dump you for Jacob Miller?”
I shrug. “I mean… I’d dump me for him.”
She scoffs, then kisses the tip of my nose, which would be cute if I wasn’t rock hard and craving her mouth. I lean in to kiss her, but she pulls away, just out of reach.
Fucking tease.
“You’re everything to me, Zach,” she says, and just like that, the teasing’s gone. Her voice is soft but serious. Her eyes cut through me, no armor, no jokes… just the truth. “Don’t ever think for a second there’s anyone in this world who can replace you.”
I swallow hard, my hands tightening on her waist.
“Good,” I murmur, dragging her closer. “Because I’m not fucking going anywhere.”