Page 18 of Studs Up
“Fuck you,” he shouted. “You don’t know a fucking thing about me.”
“No,” I agreed. I was level and calm as he spun out. “But I’m starting to.”
That seemed to piss him off even more. Anger flushed his skin, and the knots in his muscles tightened.
“Fuck you, Reed,” he screamed. “Everyone hates you.”
“My fans love me,” I snarled. “They even have a chant for me. What do you have? Oh, right. Silence.”
That hit him right in the chest, and the way his face fell into utter horror struck the wrong cord with me. I shouldn’t have said it.
“I have a flight to catch. Stay out of the fucking room.” He turned and stomped off the field. That definitely did not go as intended.
That was it. That was all I could do. He didn’t want help, and if he did, he sure as fuck didn’t want mine. But it hurt watching him walk away knowing what he could be, and it felt like he was abandoning it.
I didn’t want him to give up and be mediocre. I watched him go with no other choice than to let it happen.
He left the balls scattered around the field. Fine. I’d give him time and then enjoy a few hours of peace before I had to pack, too.
I gathered the balls and gave them to a grateful equipment manager before I headed back to the room. I took my time. I didn’t know when his flight was, so I wasn’t sure how long to stay away.
Apparently, I hadn’t waited long enough because he was still there. He was sitting on his bed with his head in his hands and his suitcase still open and partially packed.
He lifted his head and scowled as the door closed. Fuck.
“Get out,” he hissed.
“I gave you time. It’s not my fault you are still here.”
He stood, stuffed the remaining things into his suitcase, and zipped it up.
“You know what,” he turned. “You’re full of shit. You don’t know a goddamn thing. I trust Alex. You will never understand how much I trust him.”
“Then why don’t you lay the ball off?” I demanded. “Why does your ego think it can do it all itself? You can’t.”
“And you’re some god among men?” He seethed. “We should just await your divine word and bend a knee to your greatness?”
Actually, yeah, that would be great. I was pretty sure sarcasm wouldn’t help this situation, so I kept my mouth shut.
“I’m trying to help.”
“Who the fuck asked you!” He roared.
“I did what I was told. I played nice. And you have been a jackass.”
“I’m the jackass?” He scoffed with a laugh. “Are you fucking kidding. You are a nightmare.”
His grey eyes churned molten hot. He was a breath away.
“What do you want from me?” I growled. “You could be a goddamn legend in this league if you got out of your own fucking way.”
For a moment, it was quiet. Something passed through his eyes that I had never seen before, and I wasn’t entirely sure what it was until he grabbed me, hands cupping my face, and kissed me.
Shock was one word to describe it…and then hot, tingly pleasure were three more. His soft lips pressed to mine, sparking a flicker of heat in my skin. It was nice, more than nice. So nice, I parted my lips for more. His tongue passed over mine, and fuck, that felt good.
His fingers slid through my hair and made a fist. I pulled his body closer, needing to feel all of him, and he came. Solid heat met mine, and the quietest moan escaped from him. It sent white hot sparks to my cock and then the rest of my body.
The violent assault of a fist on the door made us both jump. I was still holding my arms out as if he was right there against my body.
