“Ready to get your butt kicked in Halo, country boy?”
“Absolutely. Just as long as you’ll massage it after the beating.”
“I can’t make any promises.”
“I can.” I grab her face and plant a firm kiss right on her mouth. A little moan vibrates through her, and I’m elated. She melts against my body as I deepen the kiss just enough to tell her I want this. Want her.
“I really hope you’re not fucking around, Kam,” Laney says with her eyes still closed after I pull away.
“I’m not.” She flutters her eyelashes and shows me those penetrable sky blues. They’re the most susceptible I’ve ever seen them. Soft and hopeful. It’s the first time she’s letting me see the emotion hidden behind her untrusting exterior. “Shall we let the ass-kicking commence?”
She bites her lip as if contemplating something.
“What?” I ask, trying to figure out what’s going on in that head of hers.
“What if I kicked your ass later and kissed you now?”
“I’d say whatever you want, I want.”
“Good answer, all-star.” Laney crawls on top of me and straddles my legs. My hormones go haywire as she presses her lips to mine, urgently sucking and tasting. I wrap my arms around her waist and flex my hips, letting her know exactly what she’
s doing to me. She moans as our tongues clash together, rolling and flicking, forcing our bodies together in a fit of passion.
I much prefer the kissing to the ass kicking.
I had no idea Friday night was going to be so much fun.
***
I hold the football, palming it in one hand. It feels different. A stranger rather than the friend I had come to know. Some kids sleep with security blankets or stuffed animals when they’re young. I slept with a football tucked in my arm, dreaming about touchdown passes and the roar of the crowd. I always knew this was my destiny. What I was meant to do.
I fire the ball at the tire swing, aiming for the hole and barely hit the perimeter. “Goddamn it!” I used to be able to throw pass after pass and hit my target every time. Now I need to say a Hail Mary just to get it in the general vicinity. This is so frustrating, and I can’t figure out what’s wrong. I have no control, and no matter how hard I concentrate, my ‘pinpoint accuracy’ is just gone.; which makes my future and my life gone.
“Kam!” Laney calls from behind me. I turn to see my silver-lining walking toward me. Her dark hair is down and flipping in the wind, and she’s wearing a huge smile on her face. In such a short time, I’ve come to live for that expression. It’s rare, but when it happens, it’s like looking at pure gold.
Seven days. That’s how long Laney and I have been together. And despite my obvious adversity, when I’m with her, the world doesn’t feel so dismal. “I was ringing the doorbell for like ten minutes.”
“Sorry, I forgot my mom has book club tonight.” I peck her on the lips. “How did you know I was back here?”
“I heard you curse. I didn’t think good ole boys took God’s name in vain, only sinful city folk.”
“You’ve been living in Alabama too long, Lemon. You’re starting to talk like us.” I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into me, inhaling the scent of her hair. It smells like strawberries.
“It was bound to rub off on me eventually.”
“I have something I can rub on you.”
“I might like that.” She kisses my neck.
“Don’t tease me, woman; we have the house to ourselves tonight.”
“Who’s teasing?” She looks up at me deviously.
“Hellcat.” I grab her ass so hard I nearly pull her off the ground, and she squeaks. “How was practice?” Yup, Laney made the volleyball team and I can’t wait to cheer her on.
“Fine. How was your day?”
“Uneventful.” I glance down at the snake pit of footballs in the bin beside us.