Fair Catch

by Kandi Steiner

And I remembered why I avoided him at all cost — not just because I hated him, but because no amount of hate could stop my eyes from drinking in everything about him, or my traitorous body from warming at his nearness.

“The last thing I need is another team joking about you being my protective older brother.” “They’re not saying that.” I arched a brow with pursed lips. “They’re saying I’m your protective boyfriend.”

I didn’t care if she hated me. In fact, I was glad she did. It made it easier to keep my focus on protecting her and off the temptation to claim her for my own.

His biceps bulged where his jersey cut into the flesh, the crisp white contrasted against his black skin. Pants of the same color embraced him like a glove, and I had to work harder than I cared to admit not to notice how well they hugged his ass. He looked good in our university colors, the white, brick red, and gold. Then again, the asshole looked good no matter what he wore.

Even with pads on and her cheeks red from exertion, she was sexy — and maybe the fact that she didn’t realize it was what made it all the clearer to me and every guy on that field.

Riley all but climbed me with the demand, and I was somewhat amused by her strength, but more so confused by her being on a fucking dating app. And maybe a little bothered by it, too.

Yeah, sure, that’s why you’re mad. Because she might get hurt. Not because you can’t stomach the thought of someone touching her.

I’d never felt my heart beat like that before, never felt that… possessive.

But before I could finish the sentence, Zeke rushed me in equal measure, closing the distance between us. Shock washed over me like an earthquake, sudden and unexpected, and the words died on my lips as I watched him descend on me. His heavy footsteps echoed in the chambers of my heart. His hot breath silenced any attempt of me telling him to stop. His hands slipped into my hair, tugging tight and tilting my chin up. And then his mouth claimed mine in a kiss of thunder that beckoned the storm inside me to rage.

“Because I am scarred by the fire you started in me. Because you have reduced me to fucking ashes.”

“Because I ache for you,” he breathed against my lips next. “And I’ll end anyone who touches what’s mine.”

I’d never been high before, never taken so much as a single hit off a joint at any party I’d ever been to. But I wondered if this was what it was like to be high — the buzz of the blood in my veins, the unstoppable smile, the swell of my chest.

He kissed me like I’d never been kissed in my life — powerful and possessive, his expert tongue massaging mine before he bit my bottom lip hard enough that I whimpered into his mouth.

All I could think about was how she was mine, whether she knew it or not.

Then, I was mad with jealousy, watching my teammates flirt with her just like they always had. It was normal before, something I managed to stomach. But now that I’d had her? It was like they were dancing in front of a ravenous bear with fresh salmon strapped to every piece of their body.

I didn’t know what name we could put on us, but I knew I had to define it as something — otherwise, I’d have to check myself into a psychiatric hospital.

There was no way to avoid the cold, hard truth of it all. I was addicted. And like any addict will tell you, it didn’t matter that I knew in the back of my mind that we were playing with fire. It didn’t matter that one day it all would have to end, that one day I’d have to go through withdrawals and peel myself off the floor. Right now, I had her. And though she told me she couldn’t give me more, I pretended like this would always be enough.

It had been Riley’s idea, of course, and as much as it wasn’t my favorite way to spend a day off, there was no way in hell I could ever say no to that girl.

“I have lipstick on,” I whispered. “I don’t give a fuck,” was his only answer before he kissed me, deep and long and commanding.

“I don’t want casual,” he continued. “I don’t want to pretend that I’m not yours in every way there is to belong to someone, that I don’t yearn for you to be mine in the same way. I don’t want to hide. I don’t want to keep having my heart fucking demolished at the thought of this all ending at any minute.”

“You hold mine. You own mine. For now, forever, regardless of what happens next. And even if you hate me for the rest of your life, I need you to know that I love you.”

“You can forgive. Forgive, and understand that we’re human. We’re not perfect. And one day when you make a mistake, you’ll want someone to afford you the same grace.”

I cried like I’d never cried in my life, and for the first time, I didn’t fight it. I let the tears come, let them wash away the last few weeks, and maybe even the pain I’d held onto in the years before that. It was a baptism in a hotel room, and my brother was the preacher.

Then, the whistle blew, and the game resumed. But my heart wasn’t on the field anymore. It was with the boy who’d just been walked off it.

“Somebody who betters you,” I started. “Somebody who inspires and encourages you in love and in life, who pushes you toward dreams and goals you’d otherwise ignore, who selflessly sacrifices their time to help you become a more courageous, well rounded and happy human being. That’s sacred,” I said, swallowing before I finished. “You hold on to a love like that.”