Fair Catch (Leighton U, #3)

by C.E. Ricci

To anyone still trying to figure out who they are: It’s okay not to know just yet. You’ve got your whole life to find the missing pieces.

“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” — Henry David Thoreau

“Sorry, should I have asked if you were enjoying your smut instead?”

“Like I said before, Kason Fuller. I’m full of surprises.”

I grimace before muttering, “Jesus Christ, guys are fucking idiots.” “Further proof that sexuality is so not a choice,” Kason adds.

Clamping my hand over my mouth, I mutter, “You did not just allude to sex as hide the salami,” from behind it. Kason’s eyes are wide as he watches me try to contain my chuckles. “I did, actually. And in the same sentence I told you I’m also a virgin.”

“You really are a nervous little virgin, aren’t you? Can’t even look at a half-naked guy without blushing like a schoolgirl.” “I’m already regretting my decision to ask you to go,” he mumbles more to himself, his head tipped back to stare at the ceiling. “It’s not too late for you to just stay here, is it?” “Sorry to disappoint, but it sure is.”

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.

Regardless, it’s not my place to tell him how to handle the situation. I’m too busy trying to make it better.

Because, despite my immediate judgments of him, Hayes Lancaster is actually a good dude.

If I know anything about Hayes Lancaster, it’s that he’s stubborn as a mule and doesn’t give on much. But I’ve also started to realize, on the rare occurrences that he does, it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. This is one of those instances.

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

I’m not a sports guy, if we’re being honest. But what I lack in knowledge about athletics I tend to make up for in moral support for the people I actually give a fuck about—which Kason has apparently become—and that’s gotta count for something.

It’s all the frustration, irritation, and annoyance I’d felt when he first moved in. It’s all the pain and loneliness he’s expressed to me. It’s all the tiny, seemingly insignificant moments we’ve shared up ‘til now. It’s everything we are.

“I don’t think that’s really up to me here, considering I’m the one who mauled you without prompting.” Oh, you beautiful fucking fool. “Then let me return the favor,”

“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.”

God, he’s one of those talk you through it guys, and I’m in fucking heaven over it.

This guy. He does something to me. Something unexpected. Something confusing. Something I can’t get enough of.

“How many licks does it take to get butter off a booty hole?”

I fell tf out at this 😂😂😂

I feel like I’ve just walked into a freaking fairytale, and now I’m just waiting for Cinderella to pop out of the damn broom closet to tell me I don’t belong.

He’s consuming my time, my thoughts, my life. And the strangest part is, I don’t care the way I know I should, and definitely not the way my parents want me to.

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

“You don’t need my stamp of approval, but you’ve got it regardless. It’s obvious how good you are for him.” I can’t stop myself from smiling when I whisper back, “Not as good as he is for me.”

“There’s not much in this world I wouldn’t do for you, Hayes.”

The fact of the matter is, neither of my parents deserve to know the person I’ve become. Because I’m not that same cowering boy I was a decade ago, just searching for a way to be enough for them. To be worthy of their love, because I don’t need it anymore. Because now, as Hayes and I move slowly together with the music…I have his.

Hayes is one in infinity.

“With the 77th pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the Nashville Nighthawks select… Kason Fuller. Tight End, Leighton University.”

“There is no choice. It will always be Kason.”

“And if I’m certain of anything, it’s that I’m a better person for having been loved by you.”