JordanHappily ever after depends on many factors in the lives of professional football players. A winning season is one of those factors. I wish I could report the Pronghorns won the Super Bowl but I can’t. We did make it to the first round of the playoffs, where we lost to Killian’s team. The Scorpions took out their revenge on the season-opening loss to us. They stomped us. It wasn’t a nice way to end the season but after the mental defeat wore off, we accepted our winning record for the year determined to make the following year even better. When you’re winning, the fans love you and for the first time we took our team to the playoffs, so we rode high on public support.Coaches, players, and fans took my relationship with Aiden like champs. Poor Lane, no matter how many times we denied it, he remained the jilted other man. He didn’t mind and he told me it did wonders for him with the ladies.I moved in with Aiden and we navigated the waters of living together. Between public appea

The dirty, cracked vinyl on the bus seat rubbed uncomfortably against the back of my bare thighs. My short shorts offered little protection for my ass, but the irritation kept my mind off the next two hours.I refused to dwell on what made me desperate enough to continue on my premeditated unlawful activity, because I’d spent the past three days talking myself into it.The city bus finally made its last stop of the night, the squeaky brakes adding to my tension. I walked down the steps without looking at the driver. I was sure he’d seen it all and my plans to commit a felony wouldn’t cause him to blink an eye but I still didn’t want him seeing my face. I pulled my dark hoodie lower over my face, bunched the ends of my sleeves in my fists, and began the second leg of my journey. The early spring night was chilly, but my legs warmed up quickly as I walked.Several miles later, the uneven sidewalks gave way to wide paths and the small, sporadic bushes changed to large swooping trees. The

“No, officers, I was hoping not to have a police report because the media loves this type of thing. I understand you’ve come to my home, but I don’t want a big deal made out of it. I’ll speak to my alarm company so there’s no misunderstanding in the future.”The words echoed through the house and with each one, my heart pounded harder. Maybe if I could tip the chair, it would make enough noise to alert the cops. Jail was preferable to what I imagined was going to happen.I didn’t hear the front door shut because I finally managed to tip over. Unable to break my fall, I hit my cheek against the tile. Pain rattled my teeth and raced through my already aching head.“What the hell have you done now?” His voice held complete disgust.I barely managed to open my eyes.He grabbed the chair, and me, pulling me back upright, tilting my world, though it could be my head injuries causing the spinning motion.“You must be the dumbest female I’ve ever met.”He tore the tape from my skin, uncoverin

I shouldn’t have said anything more, but him thinking I’d leave my sister made me angry. “My brother’s inside too; he’s fifteen. I work some days and some nights; whenever I can get the hours. It’s not ideal, but it’s our only choice. My brother is very responsible.” I spoke so fast, my words tumbled together.Reed gave a loud sigh. “Fuck.”I did have some pride left because it came flaring back to life. “Don’t fucking pity us.”I threw open my door and so did he. He followed me up to the door and Don Gato rubbed against his pant leg.Traitor.I was back in my territory and feeling stronger. “You need to leave now.”“I’m coming inside.”“No.”“Yes.” There was steel in his voice.“You’ll upset my brother.”“Too fucking bad. Open the door.”It pissed me off, but I had little choice. I knocked on the door. The small curtain to the right of the door moved aside. An inside light came on and a slight thump sounded when Jon lifted the two-by-four barring the door. Our lock broke a few months

I thought I’d been kissed before, but I was so wrong. Those boys made weak bumbling attempts compared to what Reed did with his mouth. He explored mine, his tongue dodging, licking, and seeking. The kiss went on and on, his hand threaded through my hair, his other smoothed over my ear then across my jaw. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, his heavy breath warm with the delicious smell that matched his taste.“That wasn’t a very good idea,” he said without pulling away.“Then why did you do it?” A low breathy whisper had replaced my real voice.He leaned back, the intensity in his eyes captivated me. “Honestly, I don’t know. You’re still too young for fuck’s sake.”“For two more months and since you’re such an old man at twenty-five, I’m sure you’ll be arrested for cradle robbing.” Jon had told me Reed’s age and other interesting tidbits about Mr. Baseball Man.He released my hair, moving his hands up my arms until both rested against my throat, his thumbs runnin