Rookie Move (Playing for Keeps, #1)

by Riley Hart

“I just can’t figure out how one human can contain so much genetic lottery winnings. It seems like even nature would say, ‘That’s not fair. Let’s give him a weird eye or ears that stick out.’ Something. Some flaw.”

“That doesn’t mean no action can happen.” I waggled my brows. “Pornhub says so, and I give you my explicit consent to have your way with me.”

“Guess you kinda feel like my little brother too.” Totally not true, though stepbrother porn was hot. I’d be down for some roleplay if he was.

We’d done it. We’d won our first preseason game, and I was pretty sure Garrett was flying. Damn, did I like to see him soar.

“I like this Garrett. Hard to talk shit with my dick stretching out your lips.”

“I’m sorry…for biting your lip.”

G’s hands were on his hips like they had been on mine, and…oh God. Was I jealous? I was going to kick his fucking ass.

The second we were around the backside of the building, alone in an alley that, unfortunately, stank like trash, I pushed him against the wall and took his mouth with mine.

Long-term crushes were weird. I’d gotten so used to the unrequited part, at first I didn’t know what the fuck to do with the fact that it was now being requited, at least physically.

When I passed out, it was with a smile on my face. Why the fuck was Baby G so much fun?

“Yeah, I know. I don’t want you going and falling in love with me or anything,” G responded.

“Hey…so my dick was wondering if he could say hello to your mouth. It looks nice and comfy in there.”

“Wow.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Good to know I can shut you up by putting your cock in my mouth too.”

I opened my mouth to tell him, to confess I was attracted to G and the two of us were friends with benefits. No big deal, right? But what came out was, “I want to fuck Garrett.” Followed by, “Shit. That’s not what I was supposed to say.”

We did that, I noticed, gave and took, led and followed, whether it was football, sex, or life.

“What?” I asked. “Nothing.” “You’re so gone for me.”

“I’m sweaty.” That was just a warning, not a refusal. He licked the side of my neck in response. “Don’t care.”

“Just doesn’t have the right vibe.” “Maybe vibes are best left in your dresser drawer.”

God, I was being all gross over this guy.

“Baby…” I begged—and we both froze. What the shit? “I have no idea what that was.” “Umm, you’re in love with me. That’s what that was.”

When I woke up the next morning, my bed was empty. Garrett rarely got up before me. I was just tugging on some underwear when he came into the room with birthday cupcakes for my mom. That’s when I acknowledged I’d done something incredibly stupid, that this was a little more than just a crush. I was legit falling for Garrett McRae.

“Do you want to fuck me?” I blinked. “Do cows moo? Do birds sing? Does Nance suck a fat dick?

“Ramsey.” “I know. I should have come up with a better excuse.” “You like him, don’t you? Like him, like him.”

“Wow…you’re going to marry my baby brother.” “No I’m not.” “And have his babies.” “Ha-ha.” “You’ll adopt a bunch of them, fill that big-ass house of yours, buy a minivan with stick figures on the back windshield.”

“I’m pretty sure Garrett’s wanted a minivan and ten kids with you for years.” That shouldn’t have made me smile—I didn’t even want children—but it did.

I had one of those impromptu epiphanies as his lips moved over mine, the kind that smacked you upside the head. I’d had a schoolboy crush on Ramsey.

the thought made me ragey. Like I was going to go all psycho on him and lock him in my basement because if I couldn’t have him, no one could. I didn’t even have a basement. I groaned again. “Are you broken?” Tucker asked. “Yes.”

“You’re crazy about him, aren’t you?” I hesitated. “Nah, it was just a thing.” Maybe if I kept lying to myself, I’d eventually believe it.

He was supposed to be an itch I’d scratched, then moved on, but somehow he had burrowed beneath my skin, sank down, and rooted himself in the marrow of my bones, and yeah, that was some poetic fucking shit, but it was how I felt. He’d somehow become a part of me, this extension of myself that lived inside me.

Garrett was hurt, and he was mine. I took care of what was mine.

Fuck, he was so goddamned beautiful.

“Did we win?” Garrett asked. “I love you,” slipped out of my mouth and…what the fuck was that? Why had I said that now, in front of all these people? And how much would they hate me if I turned around and ran out? Claimed temporary insanity?

I went to Garrett’s bedside, kissed his forehead, his temple, before my lips found their home on his.

“We ready for today?” G asked, turning toward me in bed and nuzzling my chest. “Not sure. I was thinking we should probably blow each other first.” “You’re the horniest motherfucker I’ve never known.”