Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
The way she arched and moaned. How she let us share her. The way she was with us - non-judgmental and completely open-minded - just spurred my growing feelings for her even more. But it wasn’t just about sex with her.
It was so much more.
It was about the support we gave each other. The way we trusted each other. The way she gave herself to us and let us control the moment. I didn’t want to let go of that, but I knew that the conflict between our teams jeopardized the connection she had with me and the others, even if the other guys weren’t so quick to admit that there was chemistry with her. I needed to do something about that.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Jed admitted as we headed to the gym to meet up with the other guys.
I tricked them into coming here for an additional workout, but the truth was that I had other plans for the team. I fully expected to get plenty of pushback. However, I was determined to see my plan through, even if Jed had some doubts about how well it could help.
“We have to do something, Jed. We can’t keep hating each other,” I told him. “We all deserve to be recognized for our talents, so instead of tearing each other down, we need to support each other.”
“I don’t think they’re going to buy that sappy speech,” Jed said as he put his arm around my shoulders.
“I don’t care. I’ll make them realize that the women’s team deserves what they’ve earned. Because right now, they think the women’s team isn’t even as great as they truly are,” I told him as I leaned into his side. “So, they’re going to be proven wrong in real time.”
We stopped outside of the gym, already hearing the guys’ voices from inside. Jed’s arm dropped from my shoulders as a sigh broke from him.
“Alright, let’s do this,” he said.
I gave him a grin and pressed a brief kiss against his cheek before walking into the gym, finding the guys in the weightlifting area.
“What’s up,” I greeted them casually, wanting to ease into this conversation without immediately ruffling their feathers.
“Hey,” Hugo said from one of the workout benches.
“You don’t think we work out enough during the week?” Stephen smirked as he lifted an eyebrow at me.
“Well, we work hard to play the best that we can,” I replied as I looked between all of them, trying to pinpoint a good segue into my main point. “Everyone in the athletic department does.”
It was like a storm cloud rolled over us, darkening the mood as glares and annoyed looks were shot at me.
“What are you getting at, Colm?” Mikael sighed. “Is this about Leah and the girls?”
I glanced over at Jed, who motioned for me to speak my piece.
“They have a game in ten minutes,” I told them. “I think you’ll feel better about their accomplishments after you watch them play. See how good they are. See what the buzz is about!”
“We’ve seen them during practice. They’re okay,” Anthony replied, not seeming swayed.
“That was practice at the beginning of the season. This is a tournament team now,” I said before shrugging. “Unless you’re too nervous to find out that they’re way better than you think.”
Hugo scoffed at me.
“Seriously? You think you’re going to bait us like that?” he asked.
“I’m just saying words that are pissing you off,” I replied, defiance glinting in my eyes.
Mikael shook his head.
“You know it’s more than that. You’re always taking their side! Don’t you have any loyalty?” he asked.
“I do have loyalty! But I also understand that we’re not the only team that exists at this university. They work hard too!” I snapped.
“We work harder!” Anthony argued.
“How would you know?” Jed asked. “You won’t even watch them play.”
“Not you too,” Stephen muttered as he gave Jed a pointed look. “Do you do everything he asks you to?”
I stormed over to Stephen, jabbing a finger against his chest.
“Don’t fucking start,” I gritted out.
Hugo hurried over and wedged himself between us.
“Enough!” he demanded, his voice filling the room. “We’re not turning on each other.”
Jed grabbed my arm and dragged me away from Stephen.
“Then, just listen to us. Come watch the game. If they don’t play well and lose, we’ll drop all this,” Jed spoke up. “But you deserve to at least give Leah a chance.”
Anthony and Stephen glanced at each other, their expressions wavering at the mention of Leah’s name.
“Whatever,” Mikael replied. “Let’s get this over with.”
Hugo fixed me with a hard stare as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Fine. Let’s go see what the ladies can do,” he said before leading everyone out of the gym and to the arena just as the game against Harvard started.
We took a seat high up where Leah and the other girls couldn’t see us, which I insisted upon so that we didn’t distract them. All I could hope for was for the girls to play a great game, and I felt a burst of hope the moment I laid eyes on them.