Second Chance: A Military Football Romance

"She is. I was over there yesterday afternoon while you and Derek watched that wrestling thing." Daniel shuddered. "Disgusting."

I extended my hand. "Give me your man card for that

comment, or keep it and tell me how you know she's excited."

"She was looking up movies when I was there." He shrugged and slapped my hand. "Man card? You guys are idiots."

"Yep. We work hard to keep our simple ways alive. The world needs more testosterone." I walked to the door and bent over to grab my sandals as the sound of laughter caught my attention. I glanced up to see Cora and her friends walking up the stairs.

The tiny blue bathing suit she wore left plenty of her beautifully tanned skin on display, and my heart nearly stopped as my eyes moved across her. The translucent dress she wore to cover herself up was doing very little to help. My hormones were thrilled; my jealousy, not so much.

"Hey, Brody." She lifted a bag toward me a smiled. "I got some chips and cookies for the afternoon boating trip."

"And, we brought beer and lemonade. Cindy made it herself." Dedra moved past me, bumping me with her hip as I stood, staring at Cora.

"Hey, dude, wake up." Clay popped me in the chest, and I reached out, taking the bag from her.

"Awesome. Sorry. I slept like shit last night. That Friday the 13th movie has been dicking up my dreams since we watched it. Don't tell anyone that I'm a total puss." I was grateful for the sunglasses. Otherwise everyone, including the beautiful woman before me, would know that I'd eye fucked her 10 times over the last few minutes.

"Alright, well, let's get rolling. I have a friend date for the movies tonight." She smirked. "And, guess what they're playing?"

"Ghost?" I shrugged, already having looked at the listing 10 times.

"You looked?" She laughed and pushed at my chest. The bitch I'd started to fall for was long gone, though something told me that she might show up any minute if her protection services were required. I was almost a little concerned with Cora being so open and friendly. Maybe that meant I had been friend-zoned and there was no reason to be pissy. Maybe Derek was completely wrong and the girl wasn't at all interested.

Was it the kiss? No. It couldn't have been.

"I sure did. You look fucking hot, by the way." I walked past her and jogged down the stairs. "Wanna sit in my lap while I drive the boat?"

"Nope, but thanks for the offer," she called out behind me.

No snappy comeback or rude back up comment? Fuck. She wasn't interested.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Cindy closed the trunk to Cora's BMW and handed me a bowl of dip.

"No clue. Just a rough couple of nights." I glanced down at the bowl. "Is this what I think it is?"

She laughed. "Sure is. Come on, let's get on the boat before everyone else and take the captain seats."

I smirked and offered her my arm. "Sounds like a plan to me."

"You know that Cora is really excited about going to the movies tonight, right?" Cindy glanced over at me. Her hair was the color of fire and her complexion pale. She reminded me of a model, but seemed far too fragile for someone like Derek.

"Really, or are you just saying that?" I glanced over at her as we walked across the street and made our way down the pier.

"No, I'm serious." She paused at the edge of the dock.

I sat the dip down and climbed into the boat, offering her a hand and grabbing the bowl of dip once she was in the boat behind me.

"Well, it should be a good time. I realized maybe you guys were right. I'm not looking for anything other than a friendship with her. That's probably why things are less tense between us now." I shrugged and handed her the bowl before turning back and waving at the others as they walked toward the dock. "Hurry up. It's getting busy out here on the lake. Too much competition is never good."

Derek laughed and reached up to adjust his cowboy hat. "When in the world would we ever have thought old Brody Myers would be worried about some healthy competition? The fucking world must be coming to an end." He winked at Cindy, who giggled beside me.

"Keep it up. I owe you a good ass-whooping, anyway. All of you, if I recall." I reached up to help Emily in the boat and moved back as the other guys jumped in. Dedra and Cora were pulling up the rear and I was quite grateful for the extra moments I got to study her legs. My stomach contracted as my cock hardened, making it quite obvious that I was turned on or sporting a gun in my shorts.

I reached up and offered my hand to Dedra as she smiled. "You happy to see us, or is that a gun in your shorts?"

"Four beautiful women? I'm a guy, remember?" I smirked and glanced up at Cora as the first sign of embarrassment rolled over me. How long had it been since I'd been embarrassed by something? Forever. "Come on. Let me help you in the boat."