The Heartbreakers

Lenley

PEYTON IS SEXILY ADORABLEas he tries to drag me back into bed and then follows me into the bathroom, observing me with hungry eyes while I clean up and make myself presentable for dinner.

Normally I’d be embarrassed being seen wiping between my legs in what I’m sure isn’t the most attractive position, with one leg perched up on the toilet lid.

I guess at this point, he’s seen everything there is to see and since his dick has been inside me, there’s no point worrying about it now.

I’m a little sore down there, but it isn’t bad. Peyton really took care of me and I don’t regret having my first time with him.

He made me feel more wanted than Darrius ever managed in a lifetime and I wish I could stop for a second to think about what just happened.

I wish I could call Sarah and tell her everything but that will have to wait until tomorrow, since Mom’s text said that everyone is already downstairs.

I grab Peyton’s hand and drag him out of my room and down the stairs, feeling a little guilty that I’m kicking him out like this; but I guess I’ll have to remember to set an alarm next time.

I haven’t shared a bed with a man since I was about eight and we went camping with the Penns; Darrius and I shared the same tent and sleeping bag but after that, once we started growing up, our parents deemed it unacceptable.

That’s why after Papà died, Kyle insisted on giving me my own room in his house.

But yeah, Peyton is too good a nap buddy and his arms are too comfortable, especially once my body was so sated after he had wrung out of it every ounce of possible pleasure.

I love the fact that he seems very reluctant to leave; that despite this thing between us being a deal, we’re becoming good friends.

My heart contracts with an unexpected pang of longing; the way he was with me, how he made love to me, makes me feel like we’re becoming more than friends.

Channing and Jameson have also been there for me way more than any friend has ever been.

Maybe, though, my heart is getting confused by all the other stuff that we’re doing; the training, the “friends with benefits” part of our deal.

“Stay away from the Cove Devils, they’re bad news. Everyone calls them The Heartbreakers for a reason.”

Darrius’ voice rings in my ears, reminding me that no matter how fun it is to be with them, no matter how great and supportive they’ve been with me, this is a deal and once I get my revenge and they get to Worlds, they’re going to go back to breaking hearts.

Maybe I’ll meet someone nice when I start college. Someone who won’t play with my heart the way Darrius did for years.

Because he can say what he wants about his rivals, but he’s just as bad, even worse than they are. Darrius sleeps around just as much and he never showed any concern for me, even though he knew the way I felt about him all along.

If I was hoping to sneak Peyton out of the front door bypassing Mom and the Penns, I was sorely mistaken.

“Lenley, sweetheart!” Mom is at the foot of the stairs as soon as my feet touch the marble of the foyer.

She’s wearing a pretty white cocktail dress with lace sleeves that perfectly fits her hourglass figure and makes her look ten years younger.

“Peyton, you’ve arrived too, that’s awesome. Come, come guys, get a drink, we’re all here,” she says with a big smile.

I’m about to object that Peyton has to go, but Mom pushes us into the living room and Peyton tightens his hold on my hand.

We’re offered champagne flutes and before I can even put my lips to the glass, I notice that Kyle, Darrius and Anna aren’t our only guests tonight.

Peyton’s father is standing by the opposite side of the leather couch closest to the patio doors with Jameson next to him.

Anna of course is right there, talking Jameson’s ears off, but the dark-haired Cove Devil is looking at me and Peyton.

Channing’s green eyes are fixed onto me too from his spot on that same couch; the tallest of Peyton’s teammates is eating mini tacos from a plate and winks at me.

“What are you guys doing here?” I mouth soundlessly and Channing shrugs to signify that he knows as much as I do about it.

I turn to look at Peyton, who hasn’t left my side. “What’s going on?” I whisper-yell in his ear.

“Fuck if I know,” he replies with his eyes intent on Darrius. “The pin Dad dropped about that staff meeting was to your house.”

Our hushed conversation is interrupted by Mom, who clears her throat to attract everyone’s attention. “Good evening to everyone,” she says, with a look in the direction of the Cove Devils. “Thank you for coming to family dinner on such short notice—”

“With all respect, Gina,” Darrius bites out in a clipped tone. “I thought this was family dinner. You know I always clear my schedule for it, but when you say ‘family dinner,’ I expect it to be my dad and sister and you and Len. Why the extra guests tonight? I understand that the mayor wants us all to play nice, but I personally draw the line at taking a selfie with them before or after an event, if they aren’t surrounded by their trashy groupies as usual. Having them train at our facilities and now inviting them to family dinner seems a little excessive. After all, the mayor should remember that we’re a team with a long standing tradition and an important legacy; the Devils are new in town, and let’s just say that our brands are totally different.” Peyton frowns at the obvious dig, and I discreetly check him with my hip in a plea to ignore Darrius’ provocation.

“Had I known that this was going to be a larger gathering than just family,” Darrius continues, “I would’ve invited Kiara to join us. Maybe even Trent and Niko, since the Devils are all here.”

Mom nods, taking a sip of her champagne; there’s a slight tremor to her hand and I wonder if she’s worried about something, or if she’s still mad at Darrius for the way he spoke to her earlier.

“I’m sorry, Darrius. Maybe I should’ve thought about inviting Trent and Niko. With everything that has been going on, I guess I didn’t think about it. I wanted to keep things to immediate family tonight and Jameson and Channing are here because they’re as close to Ken and Peyton as you, Kyle and Anna are to me. There is a reason why I’ve invited you all here. The mayor’s plan to make Star Cove the ‘it place’ for skydiving isn’t the only reason why our two teams have had a closer relationship lately.” She looks at Kenneth Cox and he takes a step closer to her.