The End Zone (Out of Bounds, #2)

by Erin MacKenzie

Being drawn to Nate had nothing to do with him being a great football player and everything to do with who he is as a person. Spending all of my time with someone who constantly made me laugh, challenged me, and actually listened to the things I said was as easy as breathing.

“Are you going to find someone else to do this with now since you’re leaving?” Clapping our hands together twice, then bumping elbows, back to a hand clap and finally a hip bump and a hug. Nate turns the doorknob and opens the door to leave. “No, Mi. It’ll only ever be you.”

“Where’s Anderson?” Chase asks. “Probably with your sister.” “Honest to God, Liam…What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Hey, look at me.” My hands cup his cheeks as he turns to me and I place one hand on his chest only to feel his heart beating so rapidly, if I didn’t know any better I’d think he just sprinted the length of a football field. “I had no idea you were struggling this way. But you’ll be okay, I’ll help any way I can. It’s okay.” My forehead leans against his arm as we stand there and I continue whispering over and over, “It’s okay” until I can visibly see his body relax, and feel his heart rate slowing back to a steady pace.

Thank you for telling me, though. You know you can always tell me anything, right? You can come to me for anything.”

Seeing how effortless their love is gives me hope that I’ll eventually find it for myself one of these days.

Dating has been non-existent for me for the last year. I’ve tried to find men I could make a connection with, but nothing ever sticks. I want to be in love. I want all of the romance and the comfort that comes with finding your person.

I’m terrified of trusting someone with all the vulnerable parts of myself only for them to up and leave,...

Everyone loves Mia Clark, she’s a ray of goddamn sunshine.

Somehow center myself. Honestly, the only thing that has consistently helped has been Mia. When my mind searches for peace, it’s her face I see and her voice I hear. Every crippling moment has always been made better by the sound of Mia’s voice. My best friend is the goddamn sunshine in my life when everything around me is dark and gray.

“I really am proud of you, Nate.” Mia shrugs, giving me a nod and a smile as we sit down. She reaches for my hand and squeezes it on the table. Sometimes I think if Mia was the only person in the world to believe in me, I’d still be just fine.

“You? Hurt me?” I say through a strained stretch and a lousy half grin. “I’m good, Mi. You couldn’t hurt me if you tried.”

I’d prefer to do things on my own rather than ask for anyone’s help.

I’ve always made it on my own, but something like this… a step this big is scary and it just makes me wish I had a way to be sure it’d all work out.

I know you feel the constant pressure to perform well. I know you have a lot you’re dealing with internally. But who you are as a man, the greatness in here”—I tap his chest—“your value isn’t tied to how well you play on the football field. Remember that. People are always going to throw stones. Instead of letting those stones knock you down, collect them and build yourself up.”

“You just… You look really fucking beautiful, Mia. Damn.”

Mia’s always been the person who goes above and beyond, does the little things that most people would overlook, she pays attention to details and remembers even the smallest things about people.

A light went on the other night for me. A light that for years I’ve tried turning off, or at least dimming… but it’s getting too strong for me to control anymore and it’s shining like a spotlight over a stage. And it’s shining bright. Being best friends with Mia is everything to me, but my God, do I need her to be more.

Because for the first time in years, I really want to fucking kiss her.

“It’s her fucking loss, Mi. You know that, right? It’s her loss. Just like your mom. It’s their loss. Anyone who doesn’t see what a treasure you are has no right being a part of your life.”

“What on Earth gives you the impression that you can’t do this? Because the Mia I know can do anything.”

“Well, let’s start with the fact that you’re even brave enough to have this dream to begin with. Do you know how many people don’t even dream like this? How many people just give up on things and settle for less even though deep down, they know they want more? Know they deserve more? I know you want to succeed. And I know the thought of not succeeding scares the hell out of you. But you can do this. Sure, it’d be hard work, but if anyone is cut out for the job, it’s you. Come on, Smalls. Have some faith in yourself. You believe in me endlessly. I believe in you the same way.”

“You know, I once heard a very smart woman say that being afraid of something is all the more reason to face it.”

“Oh, so you were paying attention?” “To you? Always.”

“I just… I don’t like the idea of owing you anything. I’m independent. I have always gotten by on my own dollar, and I just can’t ask you for money.”

“I think it suits you, too. The calm… quiet. You need to be able to escape to places like this when you aren’t on the field. Your soul needs it.”

I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things in my life—different places, spectacular views. But nothing beats the way Mia looks today, and I almost just kissed her because of it.

Yeah, he’s a good guy, but you have history on your side. You need to prove you can be more than just friends without actually losing the friendship part. Now go get her.

from that moment on, protecting Mia became my sole priority.

“I’m saying you should be throbbing, even after it’s done. Your legs should shake and you should be aching from the way someone fucks you. If you’re being fucked often and properly, you should feel it, even after you’re done.”

And one thing I’m constantly noticing is that talking to you makes me feel better. I’ve just felt broken for the longest time.”

“Things that are broken can be mended,”

“I need to find my purpose. I’ve accomplished so many things already and I’m grateful for all of it, and you’d think that might make all of this better, and easier to deal with, but it really only added pressure. I need to find my purpose outside of football. I need to find my why. It can’t be only football.”

I want a house on a piece of land. I want quiet Friday nights in. I want slow mornings and a woman I can’t get enough of. I want all of that and more—with Mia.

“I always care about who you’re with, Mi. I want you to be happy and safe.”

“I won’t touch you, not until you tell me that’s what you want. But I’ll talk you through it. You need a release, so let me use my words to give you one. I can tell you exactly how you should be played with. Use your fingers, this toy if you want, but I promise I can make you come with just my words.”

“The best part is the beginning. I love to see my girl aching for my touch. But where will I touch her first?”

“Eyes on me.” His tone is sharp. Reluctantly, my eyes open and I bring them back to his.

“Scream if you need to. I’d want to hear my girl scream.” My chest is pounding, and I can barely breathe. “Fuck, Mia. You look so hot like this. I bet you taste so fucking sweet too.”

“One day, that’ll be my name you’re screaming,” he says in my ear before walking away.

“Might take her a minute to realize it, but souls that are meant to be together will always find their way to one another.”

I want to stay stuck in this moment for a little longer just to stare at her. In a split second, I see everything I want in life. A future, a house, a family. And I see it all with Mia the moment she stepped out of that bedroom to come to this party with me. I force myself not to say anything. Nothing I even say will come close to how stunning she looks. There aren’t enough words in the English language to explain how Mia just made me feel when I saw her.

“A marriage based on love. Based on commitment. Filled with laughter. They choose each other, every day. The good days and the bad days… especially the bad days. My parents are best friends who are also soul mates. They make each other laugh, they support each other through the hard times. Thirty years is a long time to be with someone. But when it’s the right person, your person… thirty years probably feels like thirty seconds and no time will ever be long enough.

“I’m a very independent, self-sufficient woman until sleeping outside is brought into the equation and then I’m a twenty-six-year-old baby.”

“I remember telling you that, aside from my family, no girl had ever worn my jersey. Then you showed up to the game wearing it, and it made me happy. So I snapped the picture when we were back at your dorm. You’ve worn my name and number on your back ever since.”

“Don’t look so surprised, Smalls. Everything with you is a core memory.”

Her closeness to me is everything right now. Feeling her body next to mine is a comfort and a peace that I’ve desperately needed for so long.

Everything about tonight felt natural and real and just fucking incredible. After the last couple of days, and everything that Mia’s done for me lately just in general, I wanted to do something for her tonight. Something that I knew would make her smile.

Mia, please fucking tell me you want this. Tell me you want me to fucking ruin you because it’s all I can think about.

“You’re sorry for what?” “We’re best—” “Say we’re just best friends, Mia. I dare you.”