26. Chapter 26

Me: I'm Batman!

Rebel: Why did I just say that in my head in a dark, raspy voice?

Me: You're cute ??

Rebel: You and those winks.

Me: What's wrong with them?

Rebel: They do things to me.

Me: ?? Good luck tonight, Rebel!

O ne thing I never thought I'd attend in my life is a Halloween-themed intramural basketball game. Today is officially Halloween, and there isn't a shortage of costumes on campus. Although I'm glad we celebrated Saturday night because there's no way in hell I'd wear a costume to class. It's not that I'm not a fun guy, because I am, but it's absolutely ridiculous to wear the gear as you sit behind a desk all day. I've sat next to the Hulk, a female Harry Potter, a police officer, and some kind of Disney princess today. It's weird.

Even though I find dressing up on Halloween dumb, I'm still sitting in a crowded gymnasium dressed as Batman—the things we do when we're in love.

In love .

I am still basking in the glow of Bret confessing her feelings. The icing on the cake was when she crawled into my bed late last night and whispered those words again. When the warning alarm went off, she curled deeper into my side. We risked getting caught, but it was worth it. Luckily for us, she didn't need to leave my bed for class until well after the guys and I had gone to campus.

What's even crazier about this intramural basketball game is not only are the fans wearing costumes, but so are the players. My girlfriend is warming up by jogging up and down the court dressed as Lola Bunny from Space Jam , thanks to Macy's helpful sewing skills. I've got to give it to her. At least she found a cartoon character wearing a basketball uniform. One of her teammates is dressed in all green from his socks to his shorts to his long-sleeved fitted tee, which has a giant ‘G' printed on his chest and an orange beanie on his head. He went as the water bottle version of a popular sports drink.

At least Bret's team had the right idea finding costumes they could still play in, while the other team took the theme seriously. Players on the other team wear masks, gloves, and capes. How the hell do they think they're going to play basketball dressed like that?

A girl dressed as Barbie stands at the end of our row and points to her friend halfway down the aluminum bleacher. Everyone scoots across the hard surface to make room for her when there isn't much room to begin with.

Adjusting my large frame on the bleacher, I lean forward until I rest my elbows on my knees. The announcer taps the microphone before welcoming everyone to the game. A hip-hop song comes over the speakers as he introduces each player on both teams. When Bret told us she was playing intramural basketball, I thought of some kind of backyard pickup game. This is far from that. It's almost like the junior varsity league at the collegiate level.

Claps and cheers ring out around me, and it's nice to be the one in the crowd instead of being cheered for. Adjusting my mask, I ensure it's secure so my identity is kept safe. Tonight is about Bret, and I don't want to take the attention away from her. I also don't want to be busted by her brother if he's here tonight, too. The last time I could explain, this time might be trickier.

Tracking Bret's movements, I watch as she stretches her arms, one after the other, as she jokes around with her teammates. Since moving to CTU, I've been watching the spark come back to her personality, but there's nothing like seeing Bret on the court. When she steps foot between those lines, it's as if she's transported to paradise. A glow radiates around her as her body relaxes. Her smile is brighter, and her eyes sparkle as she bounces around.

I watch as a referee, who is a paid student, steps up to half-court as the players all take their positions for the jump ball. With the ball tossed in the air, Kyrie, Bret's teammate, dressed as the sports drink water bottle, taps the ball with his fingertips. Bret slides around the other team and grabs the loose ball. With a few quick dribbles, she moves the ball over the half-court line before launching a rocket of a pass to one of her teammates, who has cut toward the basket.

And just like that, Bret's team is up. I clap as her team all shares quick high-fives before running back to the opposite side to play defense. As Bret slides her feet in the shuffle, she turns her back to help play defense, and I notice the tiny ball of fur attached to her shorts. I can't believe she had Macy sew a bunny tail on her costume .

Bret cuts across the lane, jumping in the air to go against her opponent. She's able to steal the ball. She throws it ahead to a waiting teammate as everyone sprints to the other side of the court. Her teammate sees Bret weaving through the defense, and he throws her the ball. Stopping outside of the lane, I watch in fascination as Bret shoots the perfect shot. My smile slides free as I'm unable to contain my excitement.

My phone buzzing in my pocket startles me. Sliding it from my pocket, I see Saylor's face illuminating from the screen. It's a selfie of the two of us from last Christmas. Declining the call, I type out a quick text message.

Me: I'm watching a basketball game. Everything good?

Within seconds, a new message pops up.

Saylor: Ugh, ditching me for sports? It's such a Crew thing to do.

Saylor: Yes, everything is fine. Just miss my big brother.

Me: Miss you too, sis.

Glancing up from my phone, I watch a few minutes of the game. Bret's now guarding a guy dressed as a pirate, hook for a hand, and everything. Seriously, how does this guy think he's going to play? Commotion from the other end of the gym has me turning my head. Both Coach Campbell and Grant are standing in the doorway.

Fuck my life.

I'm so glad I found a full costume to wear for tonight. The buzzing of my phone has me returning to Saylor's conversation.

Saylor: What basketball game are you watching? Doesn't college basketball start next week?

Me: How do you know that?

Saylor: A guy I'm talking to is on our high school team, and he told me that college starts next week. I guess he has tickets to Ohio State's first game. *shrug emoji*

Me: What does talking to mean?

Saylor: The same thing it meant when you were in school, Grandpa.

Me: What's his name?

Saylor: Not doing this…

Saylor: Hey! You avoided the question.

Me: It's an intramural game.

Saylor: Ew, why?

Me: *image of Bret dressed as Lola Bunny dribbling the basketball down the court.*

Saylor: OMG stop! You've got it bad, big brother. Are you watching Bret play basketball? Why is she dressed as a bunny?

Me: Haven't you ever seen Space Jam?

Saylor: Sure, I watched it at Tony Deluca's house…

Me: …Saylor.

Saylor: But why is she dressed in costume?

Me: Halloween-themed game.

Saylor: Please tell me you're sitting in the gym dressed as some superhero.

Me: *Selfie of me dressed in an all-black Batman costume*

Saylor: *laughing emoji* New screensaver.

Cheers pull my attention back to the game. I know I'm supposed to be focused and watching Bret, but aside from her talent, the game is really one-sided. I assumed that would be the case when I saw what they were wearing, but the lack of talent is astonishing when this league is pretty much a league composed of people who played in high school but didn't want to pursue the game in college.

The game goes by in a blur. Bret's team was outscoring the other team so badly that the announcer decided there would be a running clock during the entire second half to get the game over sooner. As the final buzzer sounds, Bret high-fives her teammates before lining up to shake the hands of the opposing team .

People stood from their seats as impatient students tried to rush out. Standing, I let the few people who were sitting on the other side of me pass by as I sat back down and waited for the chaos to settle. Coach and Grant still stood in the far corner, which means I'll need to safely exit from a different direction.

I watch Bret move over to the bench, where she starts shuffling things around in her bag. It's then that it dawns on me that I should send her a warning text.

Me: Your family is here. I'll meet you at home.

Rebel: See you soon. ??

Glancing over, I notice Coach has his back to me as he and Grant talk with a group of people. Taking my chance, I quickly step down the bleachers and cut around the other side. A second door in the back will lead me down a few hallways to another rear entrance. Sweat gathers on my palms as my heart rate picks up. The guilt and anxiety are starting to wear on me.

Twenty minutes later, I'm lounging on the couch when the sound of keys jiggling in the lock alerts me. "Hey," Bret's soft voice calls as she pushes open the door.

Standing from the couch, I move toward the hallway as she rounds the corner. The corners of her mouth tip up. "Well, hey there, Batman."

Reaching up, I toss the mask onto the dining table. "I can't get the damn zipper to work."

She turns her pointer finger in the air, instructing me to turn around. "How long would you have sat there if I hadn't come home right away? "

"Probably all damn night," I grumble—stupid Halloween costume.

I feel the zipper slide down my back as the material slides open. Bret trails her smooth hands back up my exposed back as she pushes the silky fabric off my shoulders. Moving until she's in front of me, Bret continues working the fabric over my shoulders, down my biceps, until she's pulling my hands free. Leaning forward, she sticks out her tongue and licks up my stomach, starting at the waistband of my boxers, over the indent of my abdominal muscles, over my chest, until she's sucking the soft skin of my neck into her mouth.

Her hands explore the path she just licked before her fingertips grip on to the one-piece costume. I watch in fascination as she slowly drops to her knees, bringing the material with her. My cock juts out as best it can while still being restrained by my boxer briefs.

In slow, calculated movements, she trails her hands up my thighs, gripping me as she goes. From her kneeling position, she stares up at me, and the view is perfect. Bunny ears sit on top of her black hair, which is pulled high on her head in a ponytail. The white and blue striped tank top hugs her perky tits and toned stomach.

My hand reaches out as I stroke her cheek with the back of my hand. "So beautiful. You look so fucking beautiful on your knees."

Her head tilts into my touch as I slide my thumb across her lips. Bret opens her mouth and sucks my thumb between her plump lips. Wrapping her lips around it, she twirls her tongue as she sucks my thumb deeper. I groan, wishing it was my cock her lips were wrapped around.

"I need to shower."

"Well then, let's go shower, baby." Bending over, I scoop Bret up in my arms and carry her the few feet to the bathroom we share. The smell of her body wash still lingers in the air .

Coconut. Vanilla. Cocoa Butter.

Everything that makes up Bret.

She wiggles out of my grip as I set her on her feet, walk over to the shower, and twist the knob. I watch Bret remove the bunny ears and make slow, calculated movements as she strips out of her costume. Before I know it, she's standing completely naked in front of me. No matter how often I get her to myself, I'm amazed at how perfect her body is. Freckles sporadically cover her body, her black ink on display, and muscles she's worked so hard to achieve.

I slip out of my boxers and grab two fluffy towels from the closet. When we both put navy towels in the closet, I couldn't help but smile at how much we both liked the color navy. Pulling open the shower curtain, I climb in over the tub's ledge. Bret watches, her intrigued eyes following the path of the water as the droplets run down my body. Her eyes on me turn me on even more.

"You gonna stand there all night, or are you joining me, Rebel?"

My voice snaps her out of her daze as she climbs into the tub. Her shoulders relax as a soft moan leaves her lips as the hot water runs over her body. She tips her head back, letting the water soak her hair. She's captivating. Mesmerizing. Beautiful.

Reaching for her shampoo, I tip a hefty-sized pour into the palm of my hand. I lather the liquid until bubbles start to form, and then I'm running the shampoo over Bret's head. Using my fingers, I work the suds into her hair. Her head falls forward until her forehead is resting against my chest.

"That feels amazing."

Her lips find my chest as she presses tiny kisses along my pecs before leaning her head under the spray. Bubbles run down her back, pooling at our feet .

"I know nothing about conditioner, and as much as I want to keep washing you, you're on your own for that one."

Her soft laugh fills the tight space as she reaches for the bottle. While she conditions her hair, I grab her loofa from the hook and apply a generous amount of body wash. Watching the soap suds up, I run the pouf over her body. I really work the soap into her skin, making sure her breasts are completely clean.

"I think my tits are clean."

"Are you sure? I think I missed a spot."

She moves further under the spray, rinsing the conditioner and soap from her flawless body. My fingertips trail over her wet skin as I glide them to the apex of her thighs. Trailing down until I'm pressing two fingers deep inside her tight pussy.

Bret gasps as she clutches onto my shoulders, holding herself upright, and her legs quake. She reaches up and slides her fingers through my damp hair while I continue to pump inside her. With a tug on my strands, she pulls my head down until our mouths meet. I groan at the contact as my tongue slides through her parted lips. I shiver at the contact, which sends electric currents straight to my cock. My erection stabs her in the stomach, and I can't wait to sink inside her.

She rocks her hips against my hand, seeking out her release. I press my thumb against her clit and feel her pussy spasm against my fingers. With a gasp, I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss as I push her against the cool wall.

"More, Crew," she pants. "I need more."

I rub her clit in a light caress as I slowly apply more pressure to her sensitive bud as she rocks against me. Water droplets cling to the end of her nose as steam billows around us. Curling my hand around her pussy, I hit the spot deep inside her .

Bending down, I suck one of her peaked nipples into my mouth and flick the metal bar with my tongue. Her muscles squeeze my fingers, and I wish it were my dick being suffocated. With one last bite down on her nipple, my palm grinds against her clit as she comes on a scream. The passionate cry leaves her throat and echoes off the shower stall. And I pray our roommates aren't home.

With a heaving chest, Bret drops to her knees. In a flash, I take in her doe eyes as she stares up at me before sucking my cock into her warm mouth.

"Fuuuuck," I grit out.

Her swollen lips wrap around my thick cock. My fingers weave into her soaked hair as I help guide her up and down my shaft—her lips suction against my crown as she flicks her tongue against the sensitive spot underneath.

"God, you look so pretty with my cock in your mouth." I moan. "It feels so fucking good, Rebel."

And as much as I love having her lips wrapped around my cock, it's not where I want to come. I need to be inside her. Pulling my hips back, my cock slips free with a pop as her eyes spring to mine.

"I need to be inside your pretty pussy."

"God, it's so hot when you demand things from me."

I quirk a brow. "Then get on your feet and bend over, Rebel. Let me see what's mine."

A sexy smirk plays across her lips as a shiver runs over her. Stroking my cock, I watch as she does just that. Bret moves to the far end of the wall, and with a confident gleam in her eyes, she bends over.

"Come fuck me," she demands from where she's staring up at me.

"Fuck." My shoulders sag as I run my hand down my face. "There aren't any condoms in here. "

"It's fine," Bret says without hesitation. "I'm clean, and you can pull out…just this once."