Fair Catch (Leighton U, #3)

by C.E. Ricci

Today might be the most Monday of all Mondays to ever Monday.

Kason rummaging through the cabinets like some kind of food gremlin.

“You’re such a dick sometimes,” I mutter under my breath. “Where do you think I get it from?” “Funny, considering I was a nice, innocent angel of a human before I met you.”

“I hate to say this, Kase, but I think you’ve hit my hard limit.” I catch Kason rolling his eyes in the faint glow from the television, clearly starting to get a hang for my brand of dry humor and sarcasm. “Let me guess, you wanna enact a safe word when I touch on those?” “Oh, kinky Kason,”

The ending of any relationship is a break-up, and I’m starting to realize that just because there were no romantic feelings between us doesn’t make it any less painful or heartbreaking to lose him.

“And more importantly, what do you wanna eat, because I’m hungry enough to gnaw my own leg off.” “Cannibalism is frowned upon in this household unless it’s on the television screen, Hazey.”

Sue me for not wanting you to come home depressed or dissatisfied after sleeping with one of these lint-lickers.”

I’m dead

“God, Kase, you’re about to go on a date. The last thing you should be doing is eyeing up your roommate like he’s some kind of sex kitten.”

Whereas Kason is just so awkward—bless the bumbling fool.

He’d be surprised to know that his slightly neurotic, himbo ass has started to grow on me. A miniscule amount, but it’s growth regardless, and that’s a lot coming from me.

“Because, despite our rocky start, you’re kinda growing on me.” Frowning, he adds, “Like a fungus or something.”

But a slow smirk pulls at his lips as he raises the beer the rest of the way to his mouth and finishes it off. Then he proceeds to floor me further by opening his mouth and saying the filthiest, most seductive thing I’ve ever heard. “And who says you’d be the one doing the fucking, there, Kase?”

Oh hot dayummmmm

“You’re like leaning against a brick wall,” Kason mutters, shifting so his shoulder blades are bracketing my arm. I frown, glancing at the back of his head before asking, “Sturdy and supportive?” “No. Fucking uncomfortable.”

it’s like every atom in my body has been tossed into an inferno. But I’m more than happy to bask in the flames, because this is exactly what I’ve wanted.

“I know what I want. I want you to delete that app and never see any of those fuckers again,” he utters, the words coming out like a harsh command. “Not a single one of them is good enough for you, Kase.” I smile, fingers gripping his waist. “And you think you are?” “I wanna try to be.” His forehead collides with mine. “For you, I wanna try. And that alone is…” “Insane?” He nods, nose brushing mine when he does. “Yeah. Absolutely insane.”

“I think I’m just in shock that I won’t have to battle with all those dudebro dickweeds on that stupid app.” What? “You just said you don’t do anything other than exclusivity,” I point out, unable to hide my confusion. He scoffs, brows arching. “That doesn’t mean I would go down without a fight.

“You said you want this to mean something.” I nod, searching his eyes. “And with you, it will.”

“Keep the sass up, and I’ll change my mind. Maybe chain you to the bed and have my wicked way with you instead.” “That doesn’t sound threatening at all, you know,” he murmurs. Shifting his weight, he trails one hand down my ribs before sneaking beneath my shirt. “That actually sounds like way more fun.”

“But you hate people. Leaving the house requires peopling when we could just stay in bed all day. Then there’s no people besides us.”

“You don’t get to choose who you fall in love with. It just happens, and no amount of planning is gonna stop it.”

I read the massive sign Q is holding for the entirety of the airport to see. Congratulations on your penile implant surgery, Hayes!

I’m cackling

“I’ve always called him my brother from another mother,” my best friend supplies, clearly eavesdropping. I scoff. “You have never called me that in your life.” “In my head, I have,”

I’ve become insatiable. A glutton for him. An addict in need of a constant fix. For his body, his praise, his time, his mind. Him.

“But through it all, I’ve learned one thing: It’s not always about blood. It’s the family you choose that matters.”

“Tonight, when you took me out on the dance floor?” I murmur, my fingers skating over his jaw. “That’s when I knew I was completely gone. If I hadn’t realized I’d fallen in love with you before, I knew it then. Felt myself slipping past the point of no return every time you smiled at me.”

“I don’t know where he is. Other than going lowkey stalker on his ass like Oakley by showing up on his doorstep and banging down the door in hopes he’ll hear me out, I don’t have many options.” I hear Oakley’s sharp cough. “I was going for a romantic gesture, not stalking.” “Who says stalking isn’t romantic?”

“I’m not sacrificing a damn thing. Not one fucking bit. The only way that’d be true is if I had to go on living the rest of my life with the what ifs of choosing you, and I’m not willing to do that.” Squeezing his thighs in my palms, I whisper, “I love you, Kason. There’s nothing I want more than you. To see you accomplish your dreams, and be at your side while you do it. So I’ll go wherever you go, if you’ll let me.”

“Tell me to come with you to Nashville or tell me to go to hell, but please, tell me what you want. You can have whatever it is, baby. Just say the word and it’s yours.” He shakes his head. “I already have everything I want, as long as you come with me.”

“I love you so fucking much, Hayes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. It felt too selfish to say it and leave. But, I do. I love you.” His emerald eyes dark and pleading as they stare straight into my soul, his words barely more than a whisper. “And if I’m certain of anything, it’s that I’m a better person for having been loved by you.”

“Hate to break it to you, baby, but you’re stuck with me until one of us inevitably kicks the bucket at the ripe old age of ninety-eight.”