After being thoroughly finger-fucked, I was already close to my release, and now that Chase is sucking me like a kid with a lollipop, I know I’m not going to be able to hold it back.

  Chase stops for a moment and pushes me to lie on my back while helping me raise my legs. “Time to give me every last drop, gorgeous,” he instructs, engulfing me again.

  This time, he slides a finger back inside me, and the moment he strokes against my prostate, I cry out, forgetting to cover my shout as I explode with an overwhelmingly intense orgasm. Like Chase promised, he devours every last drop, and I’m entirely spent when he comes up for air.

  “I hope your roommates don’t give me a hard time about being loud.” I blush when Chase climbs on the bed with me and pulls me into his arms.

  He kisses my shoulder and shrugs. “If they do, I’ll just make sure my next prank on them is a doozy.”

  “What kind of pranks do you play on them?” I ask, my fingers lazily dancing across his stomach.

  “Ice down their boxers to wake them up, putting salt in the sugar bowl, tying their laces together. Dumb shit like that,” he lists off.

  I shake my head against his chest. “Doesn’t that get old?”

  “Not even a little,” he replies, and even though I’m not looking at his face, I can tell he’s grinning from ear to ear. “But the payback kind of sucks.”

  “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen,” I tell him.

  “What do pranks have to do with cooking?” he questions, and I chuckle.

  “It’s just a figure of speech.”

  Chase hums, but it sounds sleepy. I turn my head to look at him, and his eyes are slowly shutting. “Goodnight, handsome,” I whisper and kiss his chest.

  “Goodnight, gorgeous,” he replies, pressing a kiss to the top of my head, turning me into a puddle of goo.

  Maybe things would be easier if Chase wasn’t so sweet.

  How am I ever going to say goodbye when he treats me so special?

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHASE

  ONE WEEK LATER

  Our regular football season ended last night, and we went out with a bang. Literally. Hendo took ‘go hard’ a little too literally and ended up blowing out his knee. It was hard for all of us to witness. There’s a strong possibility his football career will be over before it even has a chance to start. I feel so bad for the guy, but I’ve still got to keep my head in the game.

  Even with Hendo’s injury, we were able to keep our winning streak. Now we have to focus on making it through the rounds of the championship so we can bring home the big W. I’m determined to do it for Hendo and Rio. I still hate that his soccer team bombed in the first round, but shit happens.

  “How is Brett doing?” Gabe asks when I meet him at the coffee shop.

  “His spirits are in the gutter, but physically, he’s okay,” I tell my cute and nerdy boyfriend. “He’ll be in the hospital for a couple of days, then he’s going home. His mom is a physical therapist, so she’ll be able to help with his recovery.”

  “Is he going to be able to play football again?” Gabe inquires.

  I blow out a breath and shrug. “Only time will tell, but an injury like that is usually enough to stop someone from ever going pro.”

  Gabe’s face falls, and I feel the same amount of sadness. “Poor guy,” he whispers.

  I nod. “I don’t know what I’d do if I were in his shoes. Football is my life, and Hendo is a lot like me.”

  “I’m sure he’ll find another path forward, just like you would if you were in that boat,” he assures me.

  He means well by his words, but I don’t see any other path forward. Sure, I’m getting a degree in business, but what would I actually do with it? Football has always been my one goal in life, and I don’t know how I would be able to give it up.

  “How are your grades coming along?” Gabe asks, bringing the conversation back to where it should be, and it brings a smile to my lips.

  If you had told me a month ago that I would be happy with this class, I would have said you were crazy, but that’s exactly where I am. With Gabe’s help, I’ve been able to gain an understanding of the class and turn my grades around in roughly three weeks. I didn’t think it was possible when I first met him. Now, I would have to do something really stupid to fail, and there is no way that is going to happen.

  “Fucking amazing,” I tell him with my chin held high. “We’ve only got like one week left of classes, and my grade is well above passing.”

  Gabe’s face lights up. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “None of this would have been possible without you, babe. You got me to understand something that felt alien to me. I’m forever going to be in your debt.”

  My sexy nerd rolls his eyes at my sappiness and shakes his head. “I may have given you a helping hand, but you’re the one who has put in the hard work. Now, you just need to keep it up so you can finish this semester strong.”

  “What are your plans for Christmas this year?” I ask him while we are studying.

  “The usual, hanging out with Nana,” he says, keeping his nose in his book.

  “Do you think you’d want to spend Christmas with me this year? Your nana could come too,” I add so that he doesn’t think I’m trying to keep him away from his family.

  He freezes, his eyes still fixed downward, but finally, he lifts his gaze to meet mine, looking shocked at my request.

  “You want me to meet your family?” he checks, and I nod.

  “By then, we’ll have been dating for over a month, but I hope you know I’m already crazy about you, even if it has only been not quite two weeks.”

  A small smile spreads across his lips, and his cheeks turn that color I adore so much.

  “I’ll talk to Nana about it and see what she thinks,” he says, and I fist-bump the air, not even caring that people are watching me make a fool of myself. “You’re an idiot, albeit an adorable idiot.” Gabe’s words are hushed, but the smile on his lips tells me he’s teasing.

  This playful side of him is something I could become addicted to.

  Approximately Three Weeks Later

  To say I was beyond excited when Gabe told me he could come to Christmas with my family was an understatement. I literally jumped around my room like a teenage girl. I’m not ashamed to admit that, either.

  “Are you sure your nana doesn’t want to come?” I ask Gabe for the millionth time, and he nods.

  “Apparently, she’s going to spend Christmas with her best friend and build more puzzles,” he reminds me. “I don’t see the joy in that, but I won’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to do either. But she did make me promise that we’ll spend New Year’s with her.”

  “Works for me. But do you think she’ll bake me a cake?” I ask.

  “Why would she bake you a cake?” he counters, his brows scrunched together in an adorable way.

  “Because it’s my birthday,” I tell him with a bright grin.

  “It is? Why didn’t you tell me? I bet you have better things to do than hang out with me and my nana for your twenty-first birthday.”

  I shake my head and stare intently into his eyes. “There is no one I’d rather spend that day with than you. Besides, I can plan a separate party with my friends any day. They are always looking for an excuse to let loose.”

  The way his face lights up at my words assures me I’m making the right decision.

  “So, as soon as my game is finished on Saturday, we are going to drive straight to my parents’ house,” I remind him.

  “Sounds good to me. Make sure you play your heart out. I want to see you win.”

  My face hurts from how big I’m smiling, but it feels damn good to have my boyfriend cheering me on. “I plan on it.”

  None of us are taking any of these games lightly. Saturday is the semifinals. If we win, we’ll be heading for the championship game. Scratch the if. It’s when we win because I don’t plan on letting the other team take this away from us.

  I still can’t believe Christmas is almost here, and the semester is behind us. I thought I would be spending these weeks crying in my pillow because I failed my class, but I’m not. I’m running off the high of winning game after game and hopefully winning the heart of the adorable nerd who has definitely stolen mine.

  We’ve been dating for five weeks now, and I’m already head over heels for him. I think he feels the same way, but sometimes it’s hard to tell. Neither of us has said the four-letter word that starts with L yet, but I plan on changing that on Christmas.

  Because I do love him.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  GABRIEL

  Today, I’m meeting Chase’s family for the first time, and saying I am a little nervous would be an understatement. I wish Nana had come along, but I understand why she turned down the invitation. She really did have plans with her best friend, but she also has a bad hip, making traveling uncomfortable. At least we’ll be able to spend New Year’s with her. And she totally agreed to bake Chase a cake. A chocolate cheesecake, if we’re being precise here.

  He still has one football game to play in the new year, but I don’t think one or two pieces of cake will cost him the win.

  “They’re going to love you,” Chase tells me, squeezing my leg while he drives us to the house he grew up in.

  “How can you be so certain?” I ask, staring out the window at everything covered in snow.

  “Because you’re kind of hard not to love,” he whispers.

  I gasp and stare at him.

  Did he just say what I think he said?

  He chuckles and shakes his head. “I was planning on saying this more romantically, but if you didn’t pick up on that… I love you, Gabe. You turned my world upside down and changed it for the better.”

  “I never in a million years thought I’d be dating a quarterback, let alone falling for one, but I love you too. Even if you are a weirdo who likes sports,” I tell him.

  “Admit it, football’s growing on you too,” he says, giving me a gentle nudge.

  “I will admit no such thing,” I reply, tilting my chin up in defiance.

  Chase chuckles. “You’re cute when you lie.”

  The rest of the drive flies by in a blur as we chat about nothing and everything and even sing along to the radio from time to time. I’ve never been so at ease around someone I’ve dated. I guess that just means I wasn’t dating the right person. This is what a relationship should be like. I hope we can hold on to this for the long run because if something tears us apart, it’s going to be one hell of a heartbreak.

  By the time we arrive at the Anderson household, it’s late, and I’m tired, but that doesn’t lessen my anxiety at all. This is my first time meeting someone’s parents, and I’m desperate to make a good impression.

  “You made it!” a beautiful woman with light brown hair and eyes that match Chase’s calls out as we’re unloading our suitcases from the back of the car.

  “Told you we’d be here,” Chase tells whom I’m assuming is his mom.

  “You undersold just how handsome your boyfriend is,” she tells Chase while eyeing me with a warm smile. “I’m Hannah. It’s so nice to meet you, Gabriel.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I mutter, sticking my hand out, but she doesn’t take it.

  “Do you mind if we hug?” she asks, and I love that she’s not just assuming that’s something I’m going to enjoy.

  “Okay,” I whisper, letting her pull me into her arms.

  Just like her son, Hannah gives the best hugs, and I melt into her. My own mother never hugged me like this, and it’s really fucking nice. I hold onto her for a while, then realize tears are trickling down my face. I’m not necessarily sad. I just hate that I had the parents I did. Younger me didn’t deserve to have cold parents who hated his very existence.

  “Are you okay?” Chase asks when I let his mom go and wipe my face.

  “Sorry. I’ve just never had a mom hug like that before… it was nice.”

  Hannah smiles at me in that soft, motherly way Nana often looks at me. “If you ever need another one, I’m here. I’ll never turn down a hug.”

  I thank her, then follow the two of them into the house.

  “Chase is home,” Hannah yells once we’ve closed the door, and feet thunder down the hall before three younger people join us, followed by a tall man who looks like an older version of Chase. He’s handsome. At least I know now that Chase is going to age well.

  “These three rug rats are my brother, Henry, and my sisters, Isla and Marigold,” Chase introduces.

  “Yes, I got the old lady name, but I’m the prettiest,” the youngest of the Anderson siblings says with a boatload of attitude.

  “Excuse me, did you forget about my existence?” Isla argues.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m the prettiest,” Henry teases his sisters.

  “I’m Oliver,” Chase’s dad says, reaching his hand out to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel. Please make yourself at home and excuse my children for their lack of manners. I tried to raise them well, but clearly, I failed.”

  I chuckle while shaking his hand. “It’s all good. The banter is actually entertaining,” I admit.

  “Just wait until the girls start fighting over a boy they like,” Chase whispers. “It’s not so entertaining then, but I’ll protect you from them. We can always sneak away if they’re getting too much.”

  “Barf.” Marigold puts her finger in her mouth like she’s about to gag.

  “Okay, give the poor boys some space,” Hannah calls out, shooing her children away. “Why don’t you two go and unpack, then come down for a snack? We don’t have much planned for tonight, so feel free to relax.”

  I follow Chase up the stairs to his room, and he puts our suitcases in the closet. “How are you doing?” he checks while moving to sit on the bed and patting the spot beside him.

  I join him, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Not bad. Your family is nice. I’m just not used to everyone being so in your face. Obviously, my family was never like that.”

  “If you ever need a break, please let me know, and I’ll make sure to sneak you away. Tomorrow, we’ll make gingerbread houses, go tobogganing, and watch movies in our Christmas pajamas. On Christmas morning, we’ll wake up at the ass crack of dawn to open presents, but there will be time to have a nap before dinner,” he tells me, and I smile at him.

  “Are you happy to be home?” I inquire, and he nods.

  “Family has always been important to me. I really hope I get drafted so I can repay my parents for all they’ve done for me.”

  “I’m pretty sure your parents don’t want you to repay them. Good parents love and support their children. They don’t care about what they get in return as long as their children are decent human beings.”

  He puts his arm around me and holds me for a minute. “I know they aren’t expecting anything out of me, but I want to all the same.”

  “Do you have a team you want to be signed to the most?” I ask.

  “Michigan Raptors is my number one pick, but I’d be content anywhere.”

  I nod, not sure what else to say. If he gets drafted by Michigan, at least we’ll be close, and there is a chance we can make things work, but if he goes halfway across the country, I don’t see how a relationship will be possible. I’m aware people make long-distance work, but it’s difficult, and I’m positive my insecurities would rear their ugly little heads and eat at me.

  “Ready for a snack?” Chase asks after a couple of minutes.

  My stomach chooses that moment to grumble, and I laugh. “I guess I could eat.”

  Chase smiles and stands, offering me his hand, and as my hand settles in his, I realize I love how much he touches me. It’s not something I would have said I wanted in the past from a boyfriend, but now it’s something I crave.

  I just crave him.

  I hope I can have him for as long as possible.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHASE

  “Merry Christmas Eve,” Marigold cheers when we enter the kitchen.

  “She’s one of those evil morning people,” I whisper to Gabe, who chuckles.

  “I’m not evil,” Marigold defends. “It’s not my fault you can’t function without drugs.”

  “Coffee is not a drug,” I growl out at her.

  “He’s right. It’s a necessity,” Gabe backs me.

  “Google it,” Marigold says with a shrug. “Caffeine is a drug. You’re all just a bunch of drug addicts.” She sticks her tongue out at us before skipping out of the kitchen.

  “Honestly, I’m fine being this kind of drug addict,” I tell Gabe, pouring each of us a cup of coffee, thankful Mom pre-set the machine last night.

  He nods, taking the cup from me to doctor it to his liking.

  Once we both have coffee in hand, we move to sit at the kitchen table and wait for everyone else to wake up.

  “Sorry I couldn’t sleep in this morning,” Gabe murmurs into his mug. “My body is still on college time. Which isn’t the worst thing since Christmas break will fly by, and I’ll have to get back on this schedule again before I know it.”

  “It’s not a problem. I like spending time with you.”

  He smiles and nods before taking another sip of his coffee.

  “Please, someone tell me there is coffee,” Isla complains as she shuffles into the kitchen.

  “It’s in the pot, but we’re probably going to have to make more soon,” I inform her.

  “I don’t care as long as I can have one cup to start,” she says, walking like a zombie to the machine.

  “Marigold is the only morning person out of us,” I explain to Gabe as he watches my sister.

  “I’m still pretty sure she was adopted or at least the spawn of an alien,” Isla supplies.

  “If she didn’t look just like you and your mom, you might get away with the adoption allegation,” Gabe counters, making her giggle.

 

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