Level Up (Franklin U 2, #4)

by Max Walker

The guy who caught it nearly made me stumble. Wow, was he good looking. Pretty, but also a little rugged, handsome. Square jaw with a rounded smile that softened those hard planes. He had green eyes that appeared to shine like gems under the backyard lights. “Thanks, bro,” he said, holding the ball out for me. “Want to give it a shot?” “Sure, why not?” I grabbed the ball from his hand, our fingertips grazing. Sparks flew. What the fuck?

Okay, so he wasn’t straight. That made him a serial killer. I had to go. Fast.

“Jay, anything you do, wear, or say, I’m probably going to like.” He looked like he was going to say some other smart, sarcastic comment that was going to make me want to kiss him even more.

“I already know you’re not a villain, Ry. Just prove to me you’re not a prince either.”

“You are dumb,” I said, with no actual teeth behind the word. “And you’re cute as fuck.” Now it was my turn to smile way too wide for my face.

Instantly, we were on each other. Weeks and weeks of built-up tension exploded, snapped like a taut wire under way too much pressure. I grabbed his face in my hands and inhaled him, my kiss fueled by the flames that fanned inside my core. Jay gave it right back, pushing into me, his arms wrapping around my waist as his tongue danced with mine.

God, I loved fucking with him. I had a feeling that I was going to love fucking him too.

“If it means anything from this slightly drunk himbo jock you just met at a bar: I think you’re already a beautiful and confident woman, and I’m sure you’re accomplished too. Don’t let anything—mirror or person or yourself—tell you otherwise. Ever.”

Gag reflex? Didn’t know her. Jaw pain? Who was that? Dry mouth? Never heard of it.

Fuck you, Dad. The thought was bitter. I didn’t like feeling this way toward my dad, but this was the kind of shit I couldn’t sit back for. It was time I made a stand. And I was going to make it with my boyfriend. Fuck it.