Chapter 16

Logan

“How was it?” Justin asks as he closes the locker. I’ve seen my teammates naked more times than I care to admit, but Justin has always been a little too free when it comes to his nudity, not really caring who sees him drop his pants.

“Would you put on some clothes?” I mutter, keeping my eyes on his face.

“What?” he asks innocently. “You know I like to air out the boys before stuffing them in those tight-ass pants.

“Yes, but no one here wants to see it.” I roll my eyes, shoving my clothes inside my own locker. I’m dressed for the most part, so is half the team. The only one naked is Justin. Like always.

“I don’t mind,” Luka, our running back says. He’s on the other side of the locker room, eyeing up Justin’s junk.

“Thank you!” Justin responds. “Someone who appreciates the male figure.”

“Yeah, because he wants to sleep with you,” I snort, shaking my head.

“What!” Justin’s eyes widen as they snap over to Luka. “No, you don’t, do you?”

“Fuck yeah.” Luka laughs. “I thought you knew? Everyone on the team knows.”

“Oh.” Justin scratches the back of his head as he uses his free hand to hide his dick. “Ah, sorry, man, I like girls.”

“Trust me.” Luka gives him a blank look. “We all know. It’s why I just enjoy watching from afar.”

“Put these on,” I say, grabbing his compression shorts and shoving them against his chest. “I’m not answering any questions until you’re dressed.”

“Fine,” Justin mumbles, shoving his legs into the holes. “Happy now?”

“Very.” I say at the same time Luka shouts, “No!”

Justin’s warm, and I grin, shaking my head.

“Now, tell me. How was last night?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows. “You were in the same bed with Laney.”

“Nothing happened.” I roll my eyes as I continue to get suited up.

“Because your brother was there? So what? Sharing is caring. I bet she would love to get some brother action.”

“Shut up.” I shoot him a glare. My brothers might be okay with sharing, but I’m not. Doesn’t mean I won’t. But I don’t like the idea.

Waking up to find Laney clinging to my brother filled me with an all-consuming jealousy that I didn’t like.

I want her. I’m not stupid enough to deny how I feel about her.

But I have too much going on in my life. There’s only been a week of classes, and I’m already behind.

She’s been a godsend with Benny, helping me out a lot more than she realizes. But still, it doesn’t seem to be enough. There's always something, and I feel like I never get the chance to just breathe.

Then I come home to see Laney with Benny, and all my worries drift away. There’s been a few times I’ve just stood from afar and watched them together. She’s amazing with him, and he loves her.

Seeing them together has me falling harder for this girl.

She’s perfect, too perfect. Everything I could want in a woman. Kind, supportive, great with kids, and so much patience.

But she’s off limits. Plus, my brothers also want her.

I really don’t have time to be fucking dating. God, my life is a mess. One thing after the other.

“Was it hard?” Justin asks, giving me a teasing look.

“Was what hard?”

“Your dick?” He snorts out a laugh. “But also, sleeping next to her and keeping your hands to yourself.”

Groaning, I lean back against the locker. “So fucking hard.”

“Which one was harder?” This dickhead is giggling like a damn little schoolgirl.

I shoot him a look. “Both.”

“Knew it.” He nods.

“Fuck off.” I flip him off.

“Hey, Cross.” Robbie Winston comes over to us, all dressed and ready for the game.

“Sup.” I nod. “You ready?”

“Fuck yeah.” He grins. “Ready to crush some Narwhal skulls.” What a name for a school’s mascot. I mean, it's a cute animal, but still.

“Hell yeah!” the room cheers.

“So, who was that girl you were with when we got to the hotel?”

“Oh, that’s his new stepsister, Delaney. She’s my future wife. We already have our kids’ names picked out and everything,” Justin rambles, nodding like it’s true as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“Yeah, sure.” Robbie chuckles, ignoring Justin's bullshit. “Stepsister, you say?” Robbie grins. “She single?”

“I just said we were going to get married? Does no one listen to me!” Justin scoffs, throwing his hands up in the air before he starts to put the rest of his uniform on.

Robbie’s question has me pausing. As far as I know, she is single. She said what happened the weekend before was just a one-night stand.

You were only meant to be a one-night stand, see where that got you?

“I don’t know,” I answer because I don’t want to say yes. I don’t want him to ask her out. I don’t want anyone to ask her out.

That’s not my right, but here we are.

“Think you could find out? She’s hot.”

“Can I find out if my stepsister is single so you can fuck her?” I growl. “No, I fucking can't. Come on, Robbie, what the hell?”

“Hey, no one said anything about fucking.” Robbie raises his hands, and I give him a pointed look.

“Really? You’re going to ask her out on a date, get to know her, and become exclusive.”

“Yeah, never mind,” Robbie says.

“Down, boy.” Justin chuckles as Robbie walks away. “Look at you pissing all over Laney Girl.”

“Stop calling her that.”

“Why?” Justin asks sincerely.

“You don’t need some kind of nickname for her.” I glare at him.

“Damn, dude, you're so jealous, you’re practically Jello. You're so far gone for this girl, I can’t even see you anymore.”

“What does that even mean?” I frown.

“That your stepsister is going to become your new baby mama.” Justin chuckles. “I mean, if things don’t work out between us. But I think we’re looking at a whole lifetime together, growing old, side by side in a nursing home.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you in your sleep, you know that?” I growl.

“Be careful; Laney might be next to me, don’t wanna hurt her, now do we?” He has a shi- eating grin, and I’m debating on kicking his ass before this game. Sadly, we need the fucker.

“I’m not looking for a mom for Benny. I don’t have time for that right now. Also, you think Stacy would just let anyone play mommy to him? That's another reason why I don’t date. I’d end up with more drama that I don’t need.”

“She really is a crazy bitch,” Justin mutters, the mood shifting, becoming more serious.

“You think? Why do you think we’ve been going out of our way to avoid her on this trip?”

“I’m sorry, man.” He gives me a pitying look that I hate. “I wish I could help.”

Coach comes in and gives us our pre-game pep talk, reminding us not to fuck up. When that's done, it’s time to get out there and play.

I need this win, I need to show him that even with everything going on in my life, I can still play ball. I have this, I have to have this. I can’t lose my spot on the Florida Bobcats.

There's a way to have everything I want in life, I just need to work harder and smarter to get it.

The sound of the cheering crowd fills me with a rush of endorphins. Who needs drugs when you can have this?

My eyes instantly search the crowd for the accessibility area. I find them sitting there. Benny in his stroller, Laney sitting next to Elijah. She’s leaning in, talking to him. It’s probably hard to hear over the roaring of the crowd. When she smiles, her head tossed back in laughter, I’m hit with a surge of jealous rage. This is my brother, for fuck’s sake. After everything he’s been through, I should want this little bit of happiness for him.

The team jogs over to the bench as the cheerleaders finish hyping up the crowd.

“Good luck, Logan,” Stacy purrs as she sidles up to me.

I look down and frown at where her hand is placed. “What?”

She gives me an annoyed look. “I said good luck,” her words are a little more stiff as her fingers dig into my arm.

“Why are you touching me?”

She steps back, shooting me a deadly look. “Why are you such an asshole to me?” she huffs. “Why can’t you just give me another chance? We could be happy together, you know. Bentley could grow up in a home with two loving parents. A happy, healthy home.”

I can’t help the snort of laughter that slips free. “You and I both know that's bullshit. You don’t love me, you love the money that’s attached to my name. You don’t want a family, you want things you can own, you can control, you can play with. I don’t want that, Stacy. I don’t want that kind of life for me or my son. I might be forced to have you in my life because of who you are to Benny. But we don’t have to be together for him to be loved and cared for.” Not that he’s getting much of that from her.

“If you would just give me a damn chance, I could prove I can be good for you,” she argues with a pout, as if that’s going to help.

“I’m not looking for a relationship right now, Stacy. And if I was, it wouldn’t be with you.”

“And who would it be with? That trashy little stepsister of yours?” she laughs as if it’s the most ridiculous thing ever. “Don’t think I don’t know about her. What was your dad thinking, bringing some young teenage girl into your house?”

“First off, Delaney isn’t trashy,” I refute defensively. “And she’s nineteen and the daughter of his wife. Was she just supposed to leave her behind? She’s family, Stacy, she has every right to be living in that house.”

“So, do you fuck all your family members?” She curls her lip.

“I’m not fucking her,” I snap.

“Maybe not now, but I’m sure you’ve thought about it. How could you not? Pretty young thing traipsing around your house. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to get with all of you, your dad included.”

“Like you have room to talk,” I snarl, hating the way she talks about Laney. “Also, stop going around and assaulting people like a fucking child throwing a tantrum. It looks bad on you.”

Stacy’s nostrils flare as she steps closer to me. “Watch how you talk to me, Logan. I could make your life a living hell if I wanted to.”

“You already fucking do.”

Now is not the time to be doing this, I’m about to fucking go out and play. But this girl, this fucking bitch, just gets on my last nerve.

“Cross, let’s go!” Coach shouts.

My eyes flick up to find Laney watching us. Her mouth is turned down in a frown, eyes on where Stacy still has her damn hand on my arm.

I jump back as if I’ve been stung. Stacy looks out into the crowd with a frown. Thankfully, I don’t think she spots Laney.

Turning my back to Stacy, I head over to the team, boiling with pure fury. Let’s just hope I can work out some of this anger I feel on the field. If not, it might just be the very thing that costs us this game.

Deleany

“Holy shit, this place is packed,” I say, trying to push the stroller through the crowd.

“Oh, yeah.” Elijah laughs. “Rose Briar Hill takes their sports seriously. Mostly because everyone on a team is trying for the big leagues.”

It’s nighttime now, the game starts in less than an hour. I’ve been to football games before, but high school ones that I’ve been to are nothing like this.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was an NFL game.”

“It’s pretty close.”

We managed to get into the stadium and find a place to sit. Benny is out cold, wrapped up in a blanket.

“Logan said he worked it out so we have a place to sit in the easy access area.”

I follow Elijah through the crowd as he leads us over to the elevator. One of the security guards punches in a code and lets us up.

“Fancy.” I laugh as we step out of the elevator. My eyes go wide when I finally see the whole field.

“Logan wanted to make sure Benny is comfortable. This way, it’s less crowded, and if you need to take him out, he’s not at risk of getting hit by an unruly fan.”

We take a seat and wait. Passing the time, Elijah and I talk about this anime show he’s watching. It’s about a girl who lives in a house with guys who shift into different zodiac animals. Sounds interesting.

“I’ve watched some anime before. Not much, but the Ouran High Host Club was good,” I tell him.

He grins. “Did you know that Kingston Academy, a prep school a few towns over has a host club?”

My eyes widen. “What? Really? No way.”

He nods. “I have a few friends who go to that school. Although, it’s changed a lot over the past few years. He said once the leaders of the club all fell for the same girl and quit, they made some changes on their way out.”

“Huh.” I look away to see the cheerleaders making their way onto the field. “All with the same girl.”

When my eyes land on Stacy, my gut twists. She gives the crowd a big smile as they cheer for her, getting into position.

I hate to admit it, but she’s good. Her moves are flawless, quick, and precise. The way she works the crowd, she knows what she’s doing.

To them, she gives off this friendly vibe. But little do they know, she’s just a raging bitch who loves to use her son as a pawn. I fucking hate her.

Looking down at Benny, the anger slips away as he beams up at me. “Hi, baby boy,” I coo. “Are you excited to see your daddy play?” Benny lets out this happy shrill that has his uncle and I laughing.

Ignoring the cheerleading, I continue to talk to Elijah. Then the crowd roars again, getting my attention. That's when I see the team running out.

A rush of anticipation fills me as I search for Logan. When I find him, my belly swoops for a whole different reason.

He looks good, his black hair messy, his helmet tucked under his arm. There’s a smile on his tempting lips that makes me bite mine.

“You think Benny is going to last?” Elijah asks, leaning in to be heard over the noise around us.

“If not, I can take him back to the hotel,” I answer back.

“And have you miss all this amazingness? Who will enjoy the sexy football players tossing each other around on the field?” he jokes.

I toss my head back and laugh. “I’m sure all these ladies here will be more than happy to enjoy them for me.”

Looking back out to the field, my eyes go straight to Logan again.

When he gets to the bench, I watch as Stacy approaches him. The moment she places her hand on his arm, I feel sick. And when he doesn’t push it off, it gets worse.

My heart pounds in my chest, the sick feeling in my belly growing.

They look like they’re arguing, but her hand is still on him. He looks up at me, but I can’t take my eyes away from the spot.

Then he’s stepping away from her, shooting her a glaring look. It fills me with a bit of relief.

The coach calls out for Logan, and he leaves Stacy behind, joining his teammates.

It takes a bit for the gross feeling to pass, but then I start getting into the game.

“Get him!” I scream, jumping to my feet. I watch as Logan runs after the guy with the ball in his arms. The whole stadium is losing their shit because if this guy gets a touchdown, we’re tied. If not, we win. It all comes down to this moment.

When Logan tackles the guy to the ground, the whole place goes insane.

My eyes flick over to the timer, and it’s done. It’s over. We won.

“Fuck yeah!” Elijah jumps up next to me and screams.

Benny is in my arms as I cheer and jump around. Good thing I brought those noise-cancelling headphones for him because his poor little ears wouldn’t be able to handle it.

The team all rushes out together, celebrating their win.

I lose sight of Logan, but my eyes drift over to the cheerleaders who are jumping around and cheering for the win.

Dread fills my stomach when Stacy’s eyes scan the crowd and land on me. She stops moving, brows furrowing, and I might be far away, but I can see the pure rage in her eyes when she sees me holding her son.

Fucking hell. We were so damn close not having to deal with her this trip. But something tells me, now that Stacy has seen me with Benny, she’s not going to let this go easily.

“Shit.” Elijah must see what I see.

“This isn’t going to be good, is it?” I ask him.

He gives me a grim face. “Knowing Stacy, I don’t think so.”

Maybe my helping out with Benny is going to cause more harm than good. Maybe he would be better off hiring a nanny or a babysitter to help out.

But I like spending time with Benny. He’s quickly become an important person in my life. I don’t want to stop watching him because of her.

“Let’s let him enjoy his win as long as possible before she ruins it,” Elijah says.

Nodding, I don’t bother to look back at her as I get Benny into his stroller, and we leave. Whatever happens, I’m on Logan’s side. I’ll always be on his side.