Play Me

by Adriana Locke

“That means you don’t read enough. If you read more books, you wouldn’t have time to worry about your debt.”

If there’s one thing I hate more than anything, it’s men who audaciously think that their penis gives them a free pass to act like a chump. It’s like they believe that their five-incher has magical powers. In my twenty-eight years of life, I’ve never met a woman who claims a penis gave her more than a headache and, on the rare occasion, a semi-satisfying orgasm.

meant that offensively.” I smirk just to piss her off. “You’re going to have to try harder if you want to offend me.” “Challenge accepted.”

If I can’t refuse her help and she won’t quit, all I can do is frustrate her so much that she avoids me. Odds are she’ll do that, anyway.

She sits in some misplaced triumph, like she’s just bested me. Like she’s going to be the one calling the shots between us.

Gianna keeps things spicy. Audrey keeps us grounded.

My life is lonely but admitting that—even to myself—makes me feel like a little bitch.

The idea of having her here is about as attractive as fighting a wounded badger,

surprised but also touched that he remembered.

“It’s like football, soccer, and cheerleading had a baby with big thighs.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Stop touching your hair,” Gianna says, eyeing me so closely that nothing is going to get by her. “And stop repeating yourself. Get to the point that you clearly don’t want to make but feel like you have to share.”

but I appreciate knowing Gray’s there as I walk into the unknown. I can’t believe I just thought that.

“Didn’t know what you wanted, but you got a ham and cheese. Piper’s daughter is also allergic to nuts, so they’re safe for you to eat.”

The more I see Astrid without her trusty clipboard, the more I kind of like her. I find myself wanting to know more about her, wondering what makes this confusing woman tick. She handles herself with complete confidence in some moments. In others, she seems almost fearful. Why?

If I’m truly remorseful for what I said, then I must prioritize what she needs over what I feel like I need.

My assistant is not only a smoke show, but she’s also really fucking funny. Fuck me.

“If you go back tonight, I’m taking you. There’s zero chance you’re getting in the car with a random person.”

The fact that he would go out of his way, prioritizing me above his friend and his family, knocks the wind right out of me. Who does that?

“Well, in my experience, if people do choose kindness, there are usually limitations. It’s human nature, I guess.”

“If you didn’t hate me, I might kiss you right now,” he whispers. He’s close enough to feel the heat of his breath. I pant, working hard to remember how to perform basic bodily functions. I lift my chin, my inhale shaky. “If you didn’t hate me, I might let you.”

Because I am attracted to Gray. God, help me.

“I think he’s just happy to be home.” “No, I think it’s you.” He smiles at me. “You’re good for him. And you must have the patience of a saint to put up with his shit, so thank you for that.”

“My dad always said two things when it came to other people,” Hartley says, drawing his attention back to me. “The first was to always give people the benefit of the doubt. Think the best of them, if at all possible. The second was that the way someone treats you is who they are. You judge them based on what you see and not what you hear.”

you need to dance with me. Sometimes it takes a little competition to spur men into action.”

But his? They’re solely on me.

“If I were a betting man,” he says, “I’d guess that you protect yourself because you’ve never been safe enough to relax.”

“Regardless of what happens tonight, or when we go back to Nashville—whether you hate me or not—you’re safe with me,” he says softly.

“If you come without shoving your cock in me, I’ll spread vicious lies about you to your teammates.”

“Are you laughing at me?” “No. I’m not laughing at you. I just think it’s so nice of you to be so cognizant of my allergies.”

“You want to send them a selfie?” I ask, my jaw slack. “Are you serious? You don’t care that we’re half naked in bed?” “I’m the lucky fuck in bed with you,” he says, nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck. “Why do I care who knows it?”

I can see his face as he utters the commands, a mixture of strength and tenderness that makes it hard to breathe even now. I told him that I wanted him to take control—and it still blows my mind that I could verbalize my need to him, of all people. But the way he handled it, as if he understood what I was really asking and delivered in such a thoughtful way, leaves me reeling.

Of course, Gray mentioned my allergy. Even when he’s not here, he manages to hold space for me. He was obviously thinking of me before I was awake today, considering my needs and comfort. What a wild concept.

I’ve lived long enough to know that you must risk it for the biscuit sometimes. You’ll never get much out of life if you don’t. Trust me on that.”

I’ve come to believe that your heart compass can’t be broken. It keeps trying to lead you north. What messes you up is when you let your brain and hormones into the mix. They can sabotage even the strongest of hearts.”

“I think the biggest thing is to remember that he might look like some kind of Greek god, but he’s just a mortal being like the rest of us. That kid has such a good heart in him—sometimes to his own detriment.”

that’s why I know they’d love you. This morning, Gray was the happiest that I’ve seen him since before they passed away.”

Hell, I’m not even sure how she feels about me. But the more time we spend together, the more I know I want this to go somewhere, and the fewer fucks I give about how fast this is going. There isn’t a scenario I can conjure up where she doesn’t fit into my life. It feels like she’s supposed to be in my arms, business deals, and hometown.

We may not have known each other for that long, but I’ve lost too many years to being unhappy. And this? This is motherfucking happiness.

“She’s it, Gray. Your mama and daddy would’ve loved her. Don’t let her go, my boy.”

“You’re the only thing that will get me through this day. Remember that. See you soon.”

The worst scars are always hidden.

I don’t know how to make it better—just that I must. It’s my responsibility, and not just because I caused this. Because she’s my girl.

She keeps space between us, and I don’t infringe on that. If she needs space, I’ll give it to her. I’ll give her anything she wants. She already has my heart in her hands. Everything else is a moot point.

“Did I just botch this whole thing? Probably. Did I make an impulsive decision? Yes. I absolutely didn’t handle it the right way. But you matter to me so much that I got on an airplane today to get this behind me so I can be with you.

“You gave me the courage to face my fear and find peace, to put the past where it belongs. Because you? You’re my future.”

“I’m giving you my heart because I know it’s safe in your hands. And I want you to know that yours is safe in mine.” I lean toward her. “Always.”

“Because I bought three day passes for you and your friends to go this weekend. Gianna said she and Audrey were available, so I thought it would be fun for you to have a girls’ day.”

“I’m going to spoil the shit out of you,” I say, planting kisses across her jaw and down her throat. “You’ve entered your spoiled era.”

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”