Finding Delaware (State of Us #1)

by Bree Wiley

I did that. I made those lips swell. I made those dark eyes water. I left my mark on him. Me.

While I may get violent with Huckslee because I’m forced to, the thought of anyone else touching him pisses me off. He’s mine to torment. No one else’s.

“That glare is reserved for me. You’re giving it to everyone else, and I’m jealous.”

Blue and green, blue or green. Pick a fucking color.

This can be like neutral ground or something. A fake place. Like…Delaware.”

“You’re fucking cute when you’re flustered,” I blurt out, cutting off his rant, and my smile grows when his lips part at my words. His dark eyes widen, twinkling like a starry night sky as he flounders like a fish for something to say.

I told him he couldn’t come, so he didn’t. And I don’t want him here. Because he’s a pain in my ass, right? Pun unintended? What the fuck, brain? Yes, the pun was unintended. Because I’m not fucking gay.

“But I want to talk to you, and you don’t trust me right now. So we’re going to Delaware.”

“Shut the fuck up, Huckslee,” he growls, cutting off my words. Before I can process what’s happening, he’s spinning me around and crushing his mouth to mine. It’s like an electric shock to my senses, the feel of his soft lips sliding over mine like velvet.

“God, I’m so fucking stupid.” I laugh humorlessly as I turn on my heel, heading back toward the house. “Despite all the shit you’ve done to me, I pined after you for years. Years. You really couldn’t care less about anyone but yourself, Taylor.”

“You weren’t there,” I accuse softly, gripping the handlebars. He must not have heard me because he tilts his head and steps closer. “I don’t know what we are, Huckslee. Maybe at one point, I did, but all of that changed. And I know I can’t undo everything I’ve done, but I almost fucking died, and you weren’t there.”

Huckslee Davis, jersey number twenty, currently in his fourth and final season playing for the California Golden Bears at CU Berkeley.

Fuck, even sad, he’s adorable. Makes me want to make him hot chocolate and shit. Tuck a blanket around him. Sit on his face.

“What do you hear in your head now?” Tilting my head to listen, dark hair falls into my eyes as I give in and roll my hips over his stiff length. “Just you, Huckslee.”

“You want my forgiveness?” His eyes are two black holes, utterly void of light. “Beg for it on your fucking knees, Taylor.” My bones crack as I hit the ground.

“Did you seriously get the shape of Delaware tattooed on you?” “Yep.” My teeth sink into my lip as I fight a sheepish grin. “Right over my heart.”

“Taylor, I love you. I’d be a fool not to.” He searches my gaze for several seconds before grinning widely. “I am quite the catch, huh?” “Damn straight. Now, come on.” Grabbing his hand, I go to pull him outside, but he tugs me back. “I love you, too, Huck.” “I know.”

Now, we’re just Taylor and Huckslee. Two men who fell for each other despite every reason not to, every odd stacked against them.

Which, in fact, is exactly what Taylor does. Well, he drops to one knee in particular. The entire gym goes silent with a gasp. He looks up at me from under his lashes, and my stomach drops into my ass right before this motherfucker giggles. Actually giggles. “I’m just tying my shoe. What the hell are you all thinking?”

“Actually...I was kind of hoping you’d fuck me.” My brain must have blown a fuse because I blink at him for several seconds, unsure if I heard him right. “...what?” “You heard me.” Desire has his pupils expanding, nostrils flaring when he grabs my length and strokes it slowly. “I want you to fuck me, Tay. Stick this big cock in my virgin ass.” “Holy shit.”

It’s in the exact same spot as mine, right over his heart. Only the outline of Delaware on him has my fucking name scrawled inside of it in elegant, curling letters. “Is that a tattoo?”

“Huckslee,” my jaw drops, eyes near bugging out of my skull as my heart implodes. “That’s permanent. As in, my name will be inked on your body forever!” “You’re already in my soul. Now the outside just matches,”

“I don’t want to hide you,” he says softly, searching my face. “I’m going to love you loud, Taylor.”

Welcome to Delaware. Endless Discoveries. Turning around, I raise my brows at him despite the tightness in my chest. “Really? You took me to Delaware?”

“Is it everything you hoped it would be?” Clearly, he’s not talking about the state of Delaware but rather the state of us—Taylor and Huckslee. “No.” Deepening the kiss, I jump up to wrap my legs around his waist, trusting his strength to catch me if I fall. “It’s so much more, baby. So much more.”