Scoring With Him (Men of Summer, #1)

by Lauren Blakely

Just putting that out there, universe. I’ll check back in when I’m twenty-seven and see what comes true. K, thanks.

I gloat at the pro hockey star, squaring my shoulders. “Take that, player of a less popular sport.”

Ooooh! Fighting words...

I’d have expected you to win a few since you play a game with a stick.” I take a beat. “But then again, I play with sticks and balls.”

Damn, hot burn.

Reese answers like a ballpark announcer, warbling the lineup. “And now, batting fourth, and hailing from the great state of California, with a .327 batting average in Triple-A, is Grant ‘Knows He’s Hot Shit’ Blackwood.”

“Long-time listener, first-time caller,” Declan quips, then adds, like he’s the radio host Jim Rome, “‘Welcome to the Jungle.’”

I laughed harder at this than I should have.

“And my other question, Mr. Ornithologist?” “The how-do-they-bang one?” “Yes.” “Well, Grant,” I sing-song, “when a male bird loves a female bird very much . . .” “Enjoy this bird,” he says,

“Bond, James Bond,” Grant says in his terrible English accent. “Slash.” Emma lifts her head, laughing. “And I’m Maverick from Top Gun. Also, for the record, we just attained major dork status right now.”

Not just any man though. The man I’m pretty sure I’ve inconveniently, stupidly fallen in love with. The man I desperately want to sleep with again, be with again, see over and over. But you can’t always get what you want.

I’m just done. I’m too far gone. I grab him, kiss him, and give him everything I can. For now. Because that’s all we have.