Beyond the Team (Out of Reach 4)

“Sounds like a good guy.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “So our sophomore year, a buddy of mine, Jack, he had a party at his house, drank too much, and passed out in his room. He woke up the next day with a naked girl lying next to him. She’d been chasing him for months, and he wouldn’t give her the time of day. He was a beast on the football field, and the girl, Susie, just had that vibe about her.”

“Something tells me I’m not going to like where this is going.”

“She took advantage of him. We all saw him go to his room alone. She got pregnant.”

“Wow,” I breathe. Not that I should be surprised. I’ve heard similar stories my entire life growing up.

“Yeah. Things were bad for a while, and then she lost the baby.”

“That’s awful. I mean, I hate the way that she went about it, but losing the baby is bad too.”

“It is. Jack kicked her ass to the curb. He was trying to make it work for the baby, but things didn’t work out for them. That changed me. I didn’t want to ever be in Jack’s position. So, when we have parties, I’m selective on who gets invited. They’re never huge or wild, and everyone leaves in a cab at the end of the night. I also lock my bedroom door even though the house is empty other than the guys and me, just as a precaution.”

“And where are your parents?”

“Usually on weekend getaways. My dad is a chef and owns his own string of restaurants across the state. They travel a lot for that.”

“I see, so you take full advantage of having the house all to yourself.”

“Pretty much.” He grins.

“Your story, it’s your way of telling me you’re one of the good ones?” I ask playfully.

“No. It’s my way of telling you that you’re different, Peyton.”

“Your life is more like mine than I originally thought.”

“How so?”

“Earlier when I told you I wanted you just for me.” He nods. “I was afraid that your interest would change to my connection to the game you loved and my family, who could potentially open doors for you. You make me feel… seen. I wasn’t ready to let that go just yet.”

“You’re seen, Peyton Monroe. Not because of your last name or your connection to baseball. You’re beautiful and real. You aren’t pretending to be someone you’re not, and I don’t know… There’s just something in my gut that tells me you’re the real deal.”

“What you see is what you get.”

“Exactly.”

“I could be playing you.”

“I considered that, but you’re too nice. Too genuine during our conversations. You can’t fake that.”

“Or this?” I say, wiggling my hips again. His hard length is still standing proud between us, causing a delicious ache between my thighs.

“Definitely not fake,” he says, leaning in and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “And all for you,” he whispers in my ear.

“Hey! Stop hogging my bestie. Let’s play chicken,” Karina calls out.

“We need to stay in the water anyway,” Griffin says sheepishly. “Although having you on my shoulders isn’t going to do much to tamp down this desire I have for you.”

“Looks like we’re going to be waterlogged.”

“Let’s get this game over with, and then as bad as I hate to say this, I need to not touch you to get this under control.”

“I’m sorry.” I bite down on my bottom lip as he walks farther into the shallow end of the pool and sets me on my feet.

“I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

“I like knowing that you want me,” I confess. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’m never this bold or this open with guys.

“I want you, beautiful, but it’s not just about my dick. You know that, right?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to make that distinction,” I tease.

He pulls me into his arms, hugging me. “It’s you.”

“I leave in two days.”

“I know.” He places a kiss on the top of my head, then dips down into the water, letting me climb onto his shoulders.

CHAPTER 6

Griffin

It’s just after ten by the time I get home from dropping the girls off at their hotel. I wasn’t ready to take them back, but Peyton was dead on her feet, and honestly, so am I. I slept like shit last night. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I’m sure tonight it’s going to be difficult as well, even though I’m tanked.

“You’re home early,” Mom says as I walk into the living room.

“So are you,” I tease her.

“Well, your dad and I were both ready to come home. The restaurant in Miami is doing well, so here we are,” she explains.

“Now, your turn,” Dad chimes in. “What are you doing home so soon? It looks like you had some people over.”

“Yeah, Sam, Ollie, and Daniel were here. And, uh, Peyton and Karina.” I don’t keep things from my parents. They’re my sounding board in this crazy roller coaster called life.