Page 62 of First Down Promise

Josh: Please fucking do.

That text is followed by another picture of his dick. It’s similar to the last because, honestly, how many angles make a dick look different? But instead of making me laugh, it reminds me how ridiculous this is. I’m twenty-two, and I can’t go hang out with a guy I’ve loved for years because I’m worried about my older brother finding out.

“Just out of curiosity, if I wanted to go hang out with this alleged guy, would that be fine?” I ask, immediately realizing it isn’t the smartest question. Pete could check our family location-sharing app and see exactly where I am, and Josh’s house wouldn’t exactly be hard for him to recognize.

Pete sits forward and lowers the TV volume. “You’re an adult, so I can’t really stop you. But it’s after nine, Ab. I’d rather meet him first, especially if you’re going to spend the night,” Pete answers, but the irony isn’t lost on me.

“Why?”

“Because you’re petite and related to me. I don’t know what kind of guy you’re talking to or what his intentions are. It’s a dangerous world.”

And his reasons are fair, really. Pete has always had my back, but he should be relieved when he realizes Josh is the mystery guy because, frankly, Josh is from Pete’s world.

“I get it, but don’t worry about me. I’m being smart,” I say, and he nods. “I should go to bed.”

“Okay, sweet dreams, sis,” he says and turns the volume back up.

“Night,” I tell him and turn for the stairs with my phone in one hand and my water bottle in the other.

“Hey, Ab,” he calls after me. I glance over my shoulder, and he sits up a little straighter in his favorite spot on the couch. “I’m glad you’re talking to someone.”

“Really?”

He shrugs, his eyes flickering to a play on the screen. He winces before turning his attention back to me. “You’ve seemed happier lately.”

“I have?”

“A little. You were grinning like an idiot at your phone five minutes ago,” he says. “Whoever he is, I just want him to treat you right.”

My grip tightens around my water bottle. “He does.”

“Good. Since Dad isn’t here, I feel like I have to do the scary big brother thing, but I do trust your judgment.” I laugh softly, but his face stiffens. “As long as he’s not on the team, of course.”

My breath catches, but I force it back out evenly. “Of course,” I lie. I’m about to step up onto the first step but pause instead. “Just out of curiosity, why not someone on the team? Aside from me being on the squad.”

Pete’s hand balls into a fist on the armrest, then relaxes. “Um, I don’t know. That’d be kinda weird, don’t you think? Some of those guys are rowdy. You’ve seen how my group gets, and I’m sure someone got messy at Josh’s bash.” He lets out a chuckle. “I imagine you with a quiet dude. Like a nerdy type.” Every older brother’s dream. Unfortunately, that isn’t my type.

“Right, well, on that note…” I trail off.

He nods, and as I climb the stairs, my phone buzzes in my hand—Josh. The exact guy Pete thinks I shouldn’t be with.

Shutting my bedroom door behind me, I set my water bottle down on my nightstand and head to the bathroom for my nightly shower. I toss today’s outfit in the hamper and stand in front of the vanity to clip my hair up. I grab my phone from the counter and angle myself to take a picture of my bare backside in the mirror, using my free hand to cover the side of my breast. My phone blocks my face in the mirror, but my unique hair color always gives me away.

I break the pose and look at the captured image. It’s sexy and tasteful without too much exposed, just the top of my butt. I hit the share icon and text it to Josh, triple-checking that it only went to him. I set my phone back on the counter and twist to start the shower when it buzzes obnoxiously against the stone.

Josh: Fuck me, you’re the most beautiful girl.

Josh: Can’t believe I’m the lucky guy who gets to call you mine.

I open my camera’s gallery and scroll to the day he took me out on that rented boat. Specifically, the shot of him driving the boat in that Texas hat with a little of his chest exposed. The breeze puffed up his shirt, and he looked completely relaxed driving a boat in the middle of the lake. And when he turned his hat backward and pulled me into his lap, that was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Gripping the smooth edge of the shower door, I press my forehead to it as a smile pulls at my lips.

Mine. Somehow, Josh Mackenzie is mine.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Josh

“What the fuck?” Pete calls out, sitting up hastily. For a split second, I thought he was going to jump up and punch the TV. “That was pass interference,” he snaps, gesturing at the screen and showing off his Iron Stallions tattoo. Pete’s is conservative compared to mine and Coop’s—just the team name with an eleven, his number, where the L’s should be. I still remember him wincing through his while I tried not to react to the burn on my thigh.