Breakaway (Beyond the Play #2)

by Grace Reilly

Why did I think we’d get through this conversation without him mentioning James? No matter what I do, no matter what I achieve, even in a different sport, James will do it first. And Dad will like it better because he did it in football.

If he looks at James and sees himself, then I’m Uncle Blake, and he’s just waiting to see when I’m going to fuck everything up.

“It always seems so easy for him when it comes to James. Izzy and Sebastian, too. They get everything, and I can’t always manage a measly hug. Because apparently, it’s such a hardship to be my father. Even when I do something cool, it doesn’t matter, because James did it first.” I frown. “But that’s football. It’s not even the same sport.” “Doesn’t matter.” “I doubt—”

“He’s always been like this,” he interrupts. “It’s like . . . James is the son he wanted, and I’m the extra one he has to put up with.”

November 28th Callahan I know I liked him best in the movies too but GOSH SAM WISE I love him Hobbit feet and all? Don’t get me started Dad is asking why the cat is named Tangy I hate that you did that to me She’s named that because of the Led Zeppelin song You so did not mention that Listen to it “Tangerine” It reminds me of you And the cat?

December 8th Cooper I’m coming to the Vermont game Fuck Red, it’s going to be so fucking hard to keep my hands off you So don’t But I’m not wearing your sweater But you’re wearing someone’s How else will Vermont know I’m rooting against them?

We’ve teased each other plenty, but seeing her show up to the game in Brandon’s sweater—of all the players on the team—stung like a shot to the face. She doesn’t know about the trouble I’ve had with him, but still. She’s my girl. Maybe it’s not official, but it’s the truth. She’s mine, and the second she admits that to herself, I’m going to shout it from the fucking rooftops.

“How did you get in here?” She shrugs. “Not important.” “You interested in seeing another dude’s junk, Red?” She just rolls her eyes. “Even if I did, it’s just a dick. Dicks, generally speaking, are not that special.” I put on a wounded face. “And here I thought you liked my disco stick.”

“You thought you could get away with wearing someone else’s sweater, babe? Think again.”

“It’s just a sweater,” she says. “And I told you in advance.” “To torture me.”

“Such a fucking brat, Red. Take it off before I rip it right off your body.” Her breath hitches. I press against her, knowing she can feel the outline of my dick through the towel. “You wouldn’t.” I stretch the hem taut. “Watch me.” “What is it with you and destroying my clothes?” “This isn’t yours. If it was my number, it would be yours.”

I scrub my hand over my face. It’s a good thing she left, because if we’d had another moment alone, I’d either have spilled my guts to her or tried to fuck her against the wall, and I don’t know which would have been worse for someone to walk in on.

“Man, you have it bad,” Evan says. He crosses the room to where I’m still rooted in place, clapping a hand onto my shoulder and squeezing. “I didn’t even realize.” “I don’t,” I snap. “Dude, you were looking at her like she—what do they say? Hung the moon? You were looking at her like that. Like she climbed up on a ladder and put it in the sky just for you.”

“You’re calling me Callahan because it helps you pretend there’s nothing deeper going on here,” I say in a low voice. “Cut the shit, Penny. You know my name. Say it.”

“Cooper,” she whispers. “I’m scared.” “Is that why you wore his sweater?”

“I don’t want distance.” I reach out, taking one of her hands in mine and squeezing. “I just want you. Not as friends. Not as the person you fuck. I want to be with you in all those ways and more.” She shakes her head. “You don’t know the whole story.” “I don’t need it to know I want to be with you.” “Cooper, it’s not—”

“You heard my dad. There’s a reason I wanted to go through a list in the first place.” “And I don’t care what it is.” “You say that now, but you don’t know.” “So tell me.”

Before he can say anything, Cooper says, “Sir, we need to talk.” “Cooper,” I say urgently. He glances over at me briefly before settling his gaze on my father once more. “It’s not what it looks like.” “I think I know exactly what it looks like,” Dad says.

By the way Cooper is glaring at him, it’s plain that Brandon wanted my dad to find him here. His reaction to me wearing Brandon’s sweater makes a lot more sense now. It wasn’t just that I wore someone else’s, it’s that I chose Finau’s.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure Coach told you to get lost.” “And miss the show?” Brandon drawls. “I can’t believe you’d be such an idiot, Callahan. The coach’s daughter?” “This is how you get back at me for earning captain?” Cooper takes a step in his direction, his gaze dark. “Screw you for dragging Penny into this.”

“Callahan,” Dad says warningly. He turns to Brandon. “Finau. Leave before I sit you out of the next game.” Brandon’s mouth drops open. “Why? I’m helping you!” “And now you’re done. Go.”

“Thanks,” I say as he holds it out to me. My voice sounds rusty, like I haven’t used it in a while. “Can’t believe I wore that fucking guy’s sweater.”

“I meant what I said,” he adds. He kisses my forehead. “Come in, Coach.” Dad pushes open the door cautiously. “Bug. Are you okay?” I untangle myself from Cooper. I don’t want to sit on the bed—thankfully still made—so I back into a corner instead. “Yes. What did he tell you?”

“He made it seem like you were up here with someone random. I’m sorry, honey. I just—I panicked.” He frowns. “Although now I’m worried for an entirely different reason. What’s going on here?” “I’m trying to convince your daughter to date me,” Cooper says.

“I’ve been having a hell of a time of it.” “Penny doesn’t date.” “I won’t lie to you; we’ve had a thing going.”

arrangement. “And if you don’t like that, I don’t care if you demote me from captain or bench me.” He glances over at me, his gaze softening. “I just want a chance with her.”

“Dad?” I hurry over, hovering anxiously. “Are you okay?” “Goddamnit,” he says, wiping at his eyes impatiently. “Goddamnit, Penelope.” I shrink away. My heart sinks to my belly. “This isn’t like before. I promise.” He shakes his head. “After all this time, bug? You’re still keeping things from me?” “I didn’t—” “You still think I wouldn’t support you?” He pinches the bridge of his nose, shuddering in another breath. “Did you really think I wouldn’t support this?”

“I thought . . . I thought you wouldn’t . . . respect me. That you’d think I’m taking a step back.” “I wouldn’t think that.” “I didn’t want things to fall apart again,” I whisper. Dad wipes at his eyes roughly. “Honey,” he says, “I thought you trusted me. I thought we’d moved on.” “We did! And I didn’t want to ruin that!” “And yet you’re keeping things from me again. Big things.”

After his initial reaction to the situation with Preston, we had to work hard to get back to a place where we felt comfortable with each other. Despite the drama, he wasn’t mad about the video; he was disappointed that I kept it from him until I had a breakdown and injured myself on the ice in my panic. And now, in trying to avoid making another mess, I did the same thing.

“You’re right,” I tell Dad. I take in a shaky breath. “And I’m sorry.” “I just want you to be happy, bug.” He glances down at our entwined hands, and I think I see a hint of a smile on his face. “Whatever that looks like, as long as you’re safe.” “I am happy,” I say quietly.

I’m happier than I’ve been in a long, long time—and Cooper is the reason.

Cooper wants me to be his, and I want him to be mine.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Cooper’s right, we weren’t really . . . dating, officially.”

“I’m not laughing at it either! I’m laughing with it. Because it’s funny.” “Sure.” “You called the evil rival werewolf dude an impotent worm, Pen. Am I not supposed to laugh at that?”

“How has your break been so far?” “The usual. Early morning runs with everyone minus Mom and Bex. Workout sessions to stay in shape. Watching hockey tape. Reading more of the romance novels you recommended, so I know how your twisted little mind works.”

“You don’t have to, you know.” “Oh, I do. I’m still your sex coach, Pen. I need to keep improving my technique.”

“I don’t just read them for the sex,” I protest. “No, I know.” He pauses, and I hear a rustling noise, like he’s flipping through a paperback. “You read them because they make you happy. And that’s sweet. They make me happy too. Who doesn’t enjoy hearing about love?” “Who knew you could be such a romantic?” “I have to admit, it’s a learning curve.” “You’re a fast learner.” I blush a little as I add, “I mean, you’ve been better than any book boyfriend so far.”

Dad and I are planning to have our usual quiet Christmas—although now Tangerine is included in that, since I won custody of her for the break—and while it’ll be nice, I’d rather be with Cooper.

“He’s been watching that tape like you asked him to.” “Good, good.” He drums his fingers on the steering wheel. “That sweatshirt his?” “What gave it away?” “I know my daughter, and she doesn’t root for the Rangers.” I look down at my lap as I smile. “Fair point.” “Your mother used to steal my clothes.” His voice sounds a little thick, the way it always does when he talks about Mom. “That Harvard sweatshirt looked better on her, anyway.” “I remember that sweatshirt.”

“Eventually it got so frayed she only wore it when we cleaned the house on Saturday mornings. It was covered in so many bleach stains, the crimson washed out.” He clears his throat. “Cooper . . . he’s been good to you, bug?” I bunch my hands up in the sleeves of the sweater. It smells like Cooper, that spicy masculine scent I love so much. “Yes.” “Thought he would be. He’s a good kid.”

“I could turn one on right now and you couldn’t do a thing.” “Maybe not now,” I agree, “but you know what I do to brats who don’t listen.” “I don’t know,” she says. I can imagine her smirk. “Maybe I need you to remind me.”

I’ve never fucked a girl bare, never wanted to risk it, but it’s different with Penny. When we take this step, I want it however she wants it, and if she wants me to spear her on my cock and come deep inside her, then that’s what we’ll do. I’m a goddamn lucky bastard.

“And I’ll watch it drip out of you,” I whisper back. “I’ll eat it out of your soaked pussy and kiss you so you can taste us all mixed up. I’ll be so fucking good to you, Red.” “I know, babe.” The emotion in her voice makes my heart swell.

She is wearing the butterfly necklace, but I only register that for half a second before I get distracted by the hockey sweater she’s wearing. Mine. A fucking tsunami of possessiveness rushes through me. I’ve imagined what she’d look like in my sweater, but this is even better; she looks good enough to devour.

“Dad got it for me. Had it wrapped under the tree and everything.” “Seriously?” She looks at me. Even through the tiny phone screen, I’m taken away by her smile. “He really loves that we’re together. I can’t believe I was so worried about his reaction.” “I know I don’t know the whole story, but I’m sure you had a good reason.” “Yeah, well.”

She turns around, showing off the back; my name is stitched above the #24. It’s our home jersey, deep purple with white lettering. It looks incredible on her, but I’m already itchy for the moment we’re back together and I can take it off. This one I won’t rip, even if I’m dying to get a glimpse of her tits. Coach might’ve done it to show his support, but I’m sure when h...

“Just so you know, I’m not wearing anything else right now.” I groan. Even though the orgasm wrung me out, I feel a flicker of heat in my lower belly. “There you go again. Torturing me. On Christmas.” “I know, I know.” She grins. “It’s just so easy, babe.” “Penny, it looks like a kindergartener wrapped this present.” “I was going to say, did you have this professionally done?” She holds up my present to her. The edges are crisp, the red bow still tied to perfection atop the silver wrapping paper. “I’m just a beast at...

“It’s my most useless skill.” “No way, that’s not useless. You’re going to have the best time playing Santa for your kids.” I snap my head up. Penny is still looking into the camera, but a blush has erupted over her face like wildfire. “I mean, your eventual kids,” she rambles. “If you even want kids. God, I mean . . . yeah.” “Hell yeah, I want kids.”

now I can’t stop thinking about Penny with a little red-haired baby in her arms.

I’m not planning on giving up Penny unless I’m physically forced to, so maybe that’s in our future. “Not anytime soon, though.” “Definitely not. Breeding kink is hot, but being pregnant? Horrifying.”