The End Zone (Out of Bounds, #2)

by Erin MacKenzie

“No, Mi. It’ll only ever be you.”

I think deep down I’m just a simple gal who wants a hot guy with a big truck.

There’s something about a man who drives a truck… I can’t explain it. Summer I know what you mean. *melts into a puddle* Yes, please help me up into your big truck, daddy.

“You both keep ending up single… if you think that’s just a coincidence, you’re dumber than I fucking thought.”

“How? How the hell are you so damn good at this? Is your tongue a machine? That’s the only logical explanation at this point.” She throws herself back against the barstool and crosses her arms over her chest. “In fact, it is and I know how to use it.”

“What do you think about going to outer space? Amazing or terrifying?” Her wrist moves back and forth as she gives her milkshake a twirl. “Terrifying. Absolute horror,” I answer without any hesitation. Going in space or deep into the abyss of the ocean are two places you’ll never catch me.

I can appreciate a nice thing, and Nate Campbell’s body is a true work of art.

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.

Sometimes I think if Mia was the only person in the world to believe in me, I’d still be just fine.

She really would be the easiest person to find in a crowd simply by her wardrobe choices. I’d still probably find her eyes first though.

I think men are good for orgasms and killing bugs and that’s all. And honestly, sometimes not even the orgasms.

I love hanging out with Abby, but she is heavily attached to Ford. Although I can’t blame her… if I had a man who wanted to devour me like a four-course meal every day, I’d be rushing home to him too.

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

“Being afraid of something is usually all the more reason to face it.

Mia wears my clothes all the time. Wears my name and my number on her back every Sunday, but somehow, the thought of her wearing my shirt right now and hopping into my bed next to me is stirring emotions I didn’t expect.

Being best friends with Mia is everything to me, but my God, do I need her to be more.

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

“You’re in a league all on your own in his mind. You are an island. You’re the one person all this time he thought he missed his chance with. All the women he’s dated have been polar opposites of you because he knows they aren’t what he wants in the end.

Her really fucking full, pouty lips. The only lips I’ve wanted that I’ve never actually gotten to taste.

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

Nate grins down at me and I swear, a genuine smile from Nate Campbell is one of the most beautiful sights.

I’ve looked at Nate for years as just a friend, but lately when our eyes meet, I’m seeing so much more. So much possibility.

I have no right to tell her not to go on a date with him, but every fiber inside of me wants to tell her—no, plead with her—not to go.

Liam A man and a woman can’t be just friends, I’ve said this hundreds of times. If he finds her attractive, deep down he wants to sleep with her, that’s just science. Ford I don’t understand the logic, but based on Liam’s analysis, I hope you all find my fiancée hideous because you’ll end up six feet under if you ever make a move on her.

Mia and I have been friends for years, men and women can definitely be just friends. Chase They can, just not when they look at each other the way you two do.

It feels like I’m drowning in feelings for her and I have no idea where she stands.

I’d have to assume she stands firmly in the friend zone. Where she placed me years ago and I happily took up residence. Can she just fucking evict me now, though?

she bites back, a little edge in her voice. Something that I’m actually beginning to love. She’s been showing a little more attitude lately and while I love my sweet and innocent Mia… this little side of her is such a fucking turn on.

I’ve always thought Mia is beautiful, but with recent developments… I’m wanting her in a way that I haven’t let myself in years.

I’m going to let Mia have her Coyote Ugly moment, but then I am yanking her off of this bar so goddamn fast.

Now that I’m having to face these feelings for Mia, I can’t stand the thought of someone else even looking at her.

“Is this you being protective or possessive?” “Both,”

“You’re already helping.” His eyes close as we lie here, while the sun is nearly setting. “By making you take a road trip to relax?” Nate smiles while his eyes are still closed and then shakes his head back and forth. His blue eyes open and connect with mine, sending my pulse into a frenzy. “By existing.”

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 buried my feelings for years. Unknowingly for the most part, but when I look back, it’s always been her.

She knows I’ll be there for her through anything. But she doesn’t know Boyfriend Nate. She doesn’t know how good this can be, but I do.

“One day, that’ll be my name you’re screaming,”

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

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

Fuck. New weakness unlocked. Mia’s fucking hip bones.

I really fucking hope she isn’t instantly regretting it, because I’d do it every day if she let me.

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.

I watch her eyes move up my body, like she's not sure if what she’s doing is right, but fuck, it's so right, she has no idea how right this feels.

“I think I’ve always wanted you.”

I wanted to kiss you, Mia. But you pulled away.”

What I should have done was tell Mia every single thing I’ve been feeling the moment I started feeling them. Because now, it’s just going to come out like word vomit the second I see her.

“I can’t ignore everything that happened between us, everything I felt. I know you felt it too. I know there’s something here. You’re nervous and that’s okay, but please give this a chance. Give us a chance. I’ve buried everything I felt for years with you, Mia. Please. If I need to do it again, I will. But I really don’t fucking want to.”

“Fuck it,” he mutters under his breath, just before his lips meet mine. It’s fireworks and explosions. It’s a Hallmark holiday movie and a passionate romance novel. It’s playful, yet possessive. It’s everything.

“I’ve waited for you, Mia. God, I’ve wanted you so much longer than I ever let myself admit.” My heart turns over every single time his gaze meets mine. “I was a goddamn fool for not saying something sooner.”