Page 47 of Off Limits
‘You’ve had a minute! Get back to the workout!’
‘Uh… sure, Coach.’
As the training session comes to an end, I hang back, putting in some extra minutes, hoping that the more I work out, the less I’ll think about her. I’m last to hit the showers in the locker room, wet towels everywhere, most of the guys heading off for some family time, steam swirling about the place. My teammates bid me goodbye as they leave. I take a seat on the bench by my locker, a towel around my waist and stare at the floor.
‘S’up, rookie?’ I hear a gruff voice say, and Hud Briar is standing there, naked as the day he was born, his rock-hard body and bulging quads on show, all his tattoos and his impressive dick just hanging out for all to see. I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here, staring at nothing, trying to figure out my next move.
‘Looks like you got somethin’ on your mind,’ he says as he turns. I note he’s got a mirror hanging in his locker. He’s grown a beard these last few weeks and is really into his personal grooming.
‘Somethin’ botherin’ you?’ he asks.
If anyone knows how I might feel right now, it’s him.
I watch the last of my teammates depart, bidding us farewell. We’ll see one another again tomorrow night at the hotel venue in time for curfew. It’s just the two of us left. ‘Let’s say I met a woman…’ I begin, and in his mirror, I think I see him smirk.
He shakes his head. ‘I knew it. Guy only looks that miserable when there’s a woman involved. What’s the issue? It’s not Lemon Conway, is it?’
‘No, it’s not Lemon. Though I do have to take her out tonight, by order of her mother.’
He sucks his teeth. ‘Good luck with that. Back to the other lady. What’s the deal?’
‘She’s not… technically, she’s not available.’
His expression grows more serious. ‘She’s not a cheerleader, is she? Don’t go there, man. That way misery lies, my friend. Believe me, I speak from experience.’
I try not to react. I’m not planning on sharing that information with anyone, even River. ‘What happened with Harmony after the wedding? Anything?’
He pulls on a pair of underwear and adjusts himself. ‘She reminded me why I should be out there tryna bag me a hottie and wife her up.’
I look at him. He hangs his head.
‘Have you guys ever… gotten physical?’
‘This ain’t the tenth grade, Walsh. You can ask if I ever had sex with her.’
‘Have you?’
He looks to the side. I see a muscle flinch in his jaw. He puts his hands on his hips. ‘I fucking wish,’ he sighs. ‘Can’t get past second base, despite my best efforts. This is the longest dry spell of my entire life. My dick thinks my hand is a pussy. And, like a fuckin’ idiot… I can’t move on.’
‘Why not?’
He pinches his nose, shakes his head. ‘You know, that fucking Erasmus dude was right. Can’t live with women. Can’t live without ’em.’
‘I don’t know how you do it.’
‘Shit, I don’t either. I don’t know when Harmony Reese set up camp in my brain. Somewhere along the line, she claimed permanent residency. But she’s also a loyal slave to the CMC and Kathleen Motherfucking Lafferty and her motherfucking rules.’ His voice goes quiet and he turns back to his locker. ‘And now I’m a motherfucking slave to her,’ he mutters. ‘Look, whoever she is, man, I recommend you extricate yourself now, before it’s too late. Before you’d do anything for her, just to have her smile at you.’
I’m pretty sure I’m past that point already.
‘You think I should cut ties?’ I ask.
‘Find somebody available. No controversy. Hey, maybe Lemon’ll turn out to be a real nice girl.’
Why do people keep on saying that?
‘If there’s another guy involved, try and talk her into breakin’ up with him. Don’t be a cheat, man, that’s not the answer either. If you’re the one for her, she’ll choose you. But women, they like to be pursued, you know? They like to feel like you’re working for their attention. That they’re desired.’
I raise my brow. I’ve been in what I thought were two serious relationships and nothing like that ever occurred to me. ‘You think that’s true?’
