GARRETT
I’m a goddamn genius.
Friends with benefits with the hottest girl I know, no strings attached? Come on. I’m reaping all the benefits of an exciting, new relationship without all the boring crap that comes with a long-term one when the novelty wears off and things start to get mundane.
Besides, the mundane stuff is kinda fun with Jennie. Like watching TV, eating pizza, and tickling her back. I didn’t even mind when she fell asleep in my lap. And when she woke up an hour later, sucked my cock like a queen, then told me it was time for her to go, I didn’t mind then either. I walked her to her door, gave her a kiss, and got to sprawl out in my own bed all alone.
You know what you can’t do when you’re in a relationship? Sleep diagonally.
Sure, the no-s*x rule was a little disconcerting at first, but exploring all the adventurous ways we can get each other there is fun as fuck.
And best of all? I don’t feel so lonely anymore when my buds immediately pull their phones out to text their wives postgame. Even Adam has a text from Olivia, who’s currently pup-sitting Bear for him while we’re away. He proudly flashes us the attached photo of Bear and Dublin sprawled out together in front of the fireplace.
Hiding my smile, I open my own waiting message.
Sunshine: Tough loss, big guy. No congratulatory BJ for you.
Me: Consolation BJ? Lieutenant Johnson is sad and only u can cheer him up *sad emoji*
Sunshine: Not sure it’s in the cards for you.
Me: I checked, and it is. Gonna fuck ur mouth when I get home later this week, then I’m gonna eat dessert.
Those three little dots pop up before disappearing, reappearing, then disappearing again. I love watching this side of Jennie bloom. She’s bold as hell but a little hesitant in the bedroom. The more time we spend together, the more confidence comes roaring out. She’s up for anything, eager and willing to learn. Also? Watching her walls slowly drop is really cool.
She’s still working on the s*xting though. There’s something about seeing the words that leaves her a bit speechless.
My phone vibrates as I’m tucking it away, and I die a little at Jennie’s picture: just a red popsicle, her pink lips circling it.
I don’t have time to appreciate it. Carter curses loudly, and I jump, slamming my phone to my chest. This is it. It’s my time to go.
Carter frowns at his phone. “Ollie’s been feeling the baby move so much, but I can’t feel anything. He’s been moving all night, apparently.”
My heart restarts and I force myself to focus on my skate laces, formulating an answer, and breathing. “What is she now? Five months? I couldn’t feel my sisters consistently ’til my mom hit the third trimester. Soon you’ll be able to see the baby move, too, which is cool but also creepy.”
“And you keep saying him,” Adam points out. “Baby
Beckett might be a girl.”
Carter grunts, rolling his hockey socks into a ball. “Nope. I saw a penis.”
Emmett sighs. “I’ve told you a thousand times: that was an arm. Your baby does not have a gigantic penis.”
“His daddy does,” is Carter’s smug response.
I hesitantly peel my vibrating phone from my chest, sighing when I see it’s just an email from Levi’s. Apparently, I have three pairs of ladies’ jeans arriving in five-to-seven business days.
I type out a quick text to the perpetrator.
Me: Funny, when I gave u my credit card info, I thought u were only gonna replace the jeans I ruined. Sunshine: Funny, I thought you’d respect my outfit choices rather than ripping them off my body.
Me: I’m gonna disrespect the fuck outta your body just for that.
Sunshine: J–1, G–0
God. Damn. Genius.
I wonder how long this will last. Jennie’s smart, strong, sassy, and s*xy—all the very best S’s. It’s only a matter of time before somebody else realizes, and I’ll be forced to let her go. I’m also not sure how far we can push our luck with the oblivious man in front of me, propping his phone up on one of the cubby shelves.
“Garrett, come do this dance with me.”
I yank off my skates. “I’m not doing another one of your fuckin’ TokToks, Carter.”
“TikToks. C’mon. I got so many likes on the last one you were in. All the girls think you’re cute when you dance. Riley!” He catches Jaxon on his way to the showers. “I’ll teach you the dance real quick.”
Jaxon flings an arm out, free hand covering his junk. “I’m naked!”
“Great for ratings,” Carter mumbles. He props his fists on his hips and starts barking out orders. With the entire team lined up, he turns his stare on me, brows lifting. “Garrett.”
“No. Fuck that. I’m not doing your damn dance.”
Famous last words. An hour later, I’m sitting at our hotel bar, watching our team do some ridiculous trend that has an entire team of NHL players dropping it low before they spin around and shake their asses for the camera. Most of us are half-dressed in equipment. Jaxon is less fortunate, covering his dick with a hand towel. The video already has over a hundred thousand views. Carter’s only ever looked prouder when Olivia said I do.
There’s a fuckton of girls here tonight, swarming the team. Jaxon’s already made out with one, Adam keeps trying to swat away the fingers trying to twine around his curls, and when a leggy brunette slides her hand along my shoulders, I start panicking, shrugging away from her touch.
“Uh, no thanks. No, thank you. Thanks.”
Emmett arches a brow as she walks away. “No, thank you? A month ago you were bitching about us stopping you from getting laid. No one’s stopping you now.”
I bury my deflection behind a handful of nachos. Emmett waits for me to swallow. “What?”
“Uh…” I scratch my jaw as my gaze coasts the table, landing on Adam as he politely lets another girl down, explaining they don’t want the same things. “Netflix and chill,” I blurt, then backtrack. “I think I’m growing out of this scene. I’d rather hang out at home with someone who makes me laugh.” Not a lie. “Netflix and chill,” I repeat. “Or whatever.”
Adam grins. “So you want to date.”
“Garrett wants a girrrlfriend,” Carter sings, sucking a chicken wing clean. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
“It can’t be all that hard. You did it.”
His bone clatters to his plate, hardened gaze slowly rising. “I’m a catch, jerk.”
I snicker. “Yeah, Ollie’s lucky she didn’t catch a disease.” “Fucker.” Carter reaches across the table, and a game of slapsies quickly ensues as our hands fly, before Dad gets in
the middle of it.
Dad is Adam. Emmett is the bad uncle who sits in the corner, egging us on. Jaxon’s the drunk aunt making out with a random.
“We should let natural selection take care of you,” Emmett says when we disengage. “Only the toughest survives.”
Carter flexes a bicep before kissing it. “That’s me.”
“As if.” I stretch my arms out, veins popping when I make two fists. “I’m tough as fuck.”
“Whatever. My sister could bring you to your knees.”
She absolutely can, already has, and I’ll gladly get down on them a thousand more times to taste the sweet spot between her thighs while she yanks my hair and chants my name, begging for more.
I try to recenter my thoughts and focus on the new conversation at hand, which is the additional time Adam’s been spending at the children’s home.
“I found my family in a home just like this one, but I know not everyone is that lucky. To think some of those kids have been sitting there for years, waiting for someone to take a chance on them…” He shakes his head, frowning. “It’s heartbreaking.”
“I think it’s great you’re using your own experience with the foster system to help other kids,” I tell him.
“You’re adopted?” Jaxon asks now that his mouth is free. Adam nods, and Carter adds, “His dad is Deacon
Lockwood.”
Jaxon’s brows jump. “Deacon Lockwood, retired quarterback for the Denver Broncos and five-time Superbowl champ, Deacon Lockwood?”
Adam chuckles. “He was so bummed when I chose hockey over football. Really, though, I couldn’t have asked for a better family. Sometimes you’re not born to them; you find them.”
Jaxon claps a hand to his shoulder, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I haven’t warmed to him yet. “Glad you found your crew, bud.”
“I’ve been thinking about fostering, but it’s impossible with my schedule. They’ve been through enough, and they need consistency, someone who can show up every day for them.” He shrugs. “Maybe in the future, if I ever get married.”
Emmett laughs softly. “You’re gonna meet someone incredible and have an amazing family together, in whatever way you decide to make it.”
“What happened with Courtney was shit,” I chime in, “and I wish you hadn’t gotten hurt. But you deserve so much better than what she was giving you. I’m not sure you would’ve walked away if she hadn’t given you a reason.”
Adam’s relationship with his ex was on shaky grounds for a while, and he reached a point where he was desperate to make her happy. In doing so, he neglected his own happiness. If he hadn’t found her with another man, I’m not sure he would’ve done what was best for himself.
Adam focuses on the drink in his hand before he looks up, smiling. “Yeah. Fuck yeah. Fuck her.”
“Ay-yo!” Emmett punches a fist through the air. “That’s the spirit, Woody! Round of shots for the table!”
I wish I could enjoy mine with the team.
Instead, it stays in my hand, halfway to my mouth as my jaw dangles, stare fixed on the picture peeking up at me from my phone.
One small, purple, and glittery, the other gigantic, black, and veiny as fuck, two dildos stare up at me. A simple question accompanies the photo.
Sunshine: Hey big guy, if I were considering sleeping with you in the future and wanted to give myself time to adjust to your size, which one would I fuck?
Jennie’s doing great with the s*xting. Fast learner.
Superfast.
I, on the other hand, am not doing so well. My brain might be melting, and my dick has turned to steel.
A second picture comes in, Jennie’s fingers wrapped around the small, purple dildo.
Sunshine: Mr. Itty Bitty it is.
“Why’re you making that face? Who’re you texting?”
I slam my phone against my chest at Carter’s questions, thankful X-ray vision isn’t real—that I know of. When I leap to my feet, my chair topples to the ground. “It’s my mom.” Shit, that was so high-pitched. “I-I-I—” Fuck. “I gotta go!” I lift my phone way up, and shake it, for whatever fucking reason. “She needs me. Mom needs me. I gotta…bye!”
I dash across the bar and into the lobby, fingers flying over the screen.
Me: Mr. Itty Bitty? I think the fuck not.
Sunshine: Gonna head to bed to take care of myself. Talk to you tomorrow.
Me: Don’t u fucking dare.
I jab the elevator call button nine hundred thousand times and fall inside when it opens.
Me: Jennie???
Me: I swear to god if u go to bed right now I will fly
home early and wake you up with my cock down your damn throat.
Sunshine: *kiss emoji* Night Gare-Bear
“No. No, no, no, no.” Agitation barrels through my veins as the elevator climbs. My foot won’t stop bouncing. Pretty sure my eye is twitching.
I claw at the doors when the elevator stops, and it takes me seven tries to successfully swipe my card through my door slot. My shirt gets stuck over my face as I go tumbling into my room, and Jennie answers my video request on the third attempt, because she’s a little shit who likes to get me going.
“Mr. Andersen,” she purrs. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a late-night phone call?”
I trip over my feet stepping out of my pants, stumbling forward and bouncing off the side of the bed.
Jennie’s cackle electrifies the air. “What are you doing?” “Gettin’ naked.” Jennie gets an eyeful of my dick as he
springs free from my boxer briefs, bobbing around.
“Oh my. Lieutenant Johnson sure looks happy to see me.”
“He sure as shit is, and you’re gonna need to ditch Mr. Itty Bitty. My fingers can fuck you better than he can.” I grip the base of my cock and flick my head. “Now lose the clothes, sunshine.”
Dragging the blanket away, she reveals those stellar curves inch by aching inch. “What clothes?”
My eyes roll to the ceiling as I groan. “God, I wanna fuck you.”
I’m baffled when her smile turns shy. Does she not know how mind-blowingly s*xy she is? I’d sell my left nut for a VIP all-you-can-ride ticket to her Disneyland. All-you-can- eat works just fucking fine for now, though.
I roll onto the bed, prop the phone up on the side table, and wait for Jennie to do the same.
She tucks her hair behind her ears, a purely innocent move that makes my cock throb. It’s down and long and messy, and I wanna drag my fingers through it before I wrap it around my fist and make her look me in the eyes while she comes.
“So, uh, how does this…work?”
“I’m gonna fuck my hand while I watch you fuck your pussy, and I’m gonna try not to make a mess when I come. You, sunshine, can be as messy as your heart desires.”
A shiver rocks through her body, and she shakes her head. “Two weeks ago you couldn’t even string an entire sentence together.”
“Yeah, ’cause you’re hot as balls and you intimidated the fuck out of me.”
“And not anymore?”
“Nah, not so much. Not now that I know I can boss you around just as well, but in a different way.” I watch her body flush, glowing skin kissed pink by nerves, lashes fluttering as her gaze bounces away, then back again. “It turns you on. You like the way I talk to you.”
“Well, duh.”
“What do you like about it?”
She lifts a shoulder. “I donno.”
Bullshit she doesn’t know. She’s playing shy, afraid to say it out loud, so I’m gonna help her. She doesn’t get to hide with me, not anymore.
“I like that I can make you shy. Take the boldest, bravest girl I know and make you speechless, even for a second. And then you get this big smile on your face and come to life, like my words spur you on. You’re the best mix of shy and confident when you’re naked, and I love watching you get there.”
Teeth press into that plush lower lip. She trails her finger over her thigh. “I like…I like when you tell me what you want to do to me. It makes me feel…” Her cheeks blaze as she looks away.
“Makes you feel what?”
“Wanted,” she admits on a murmur. “I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”
The truth is, I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anyone the way I want her, so I tell her just that, ignoring the way she rolls her eyes like I’m feeding her a line.
“Besides your banging body, pretty eyes, and perfect smile, Jennie, you’re a smart-ass who can hold her own. You dish it out without missing a beat, and you push yourself. You’re also funny as hell, and you yell at the refs when they make shitty calls. I always wanted to know you better than I did. I’m glad I get to now.”
Jennie’s cute nose wrinkles, and low and behold, a fucking giggle slips past her lips. “Yeah, whatever, fuckboy.”
“Call me whatever you want, I’m the one you think about when you’re home alone, fucking your rubber cocks.”
“And my pussy is the one you’re thinking about when you lock yourself in your hotel bathroom, fuck your hand, and come in your sock.” Feet flat on the bed, she spreads her legs, showing me that immaculate, pink pussy. She swipes one finger along her slick slit. “Too bad you can’t have it. It’s a fuckload softer and warmer than your hand.”
My gaze follows the slow fingers that circle her clit, mesmerized as my words tumble out. “I fucking own it…”
“I’m the only one that owns this pussy.” Agonizingly slow, she sinks two fingers inside, back arching off the pillows, lips parting with a low gasp. “I just let you use it sometimes.”
“Fuck. Christ. Shit.” I run my palm over my mouth before taking my cock in my hand, stroking. “Show me how wet you are.”
“Ask nicely.”
“Please, Jennie. I wanna see how wet you are.”
Jennie pulls her fingers out, glistening and dripping. “Soaked.”
I groan, squeezing my cock. “Taste yourself, Jennie.” Desire sparkles in her eyes, but so does uncertainty.
“Don’t go shy on me now, sunshine. We both know that’s not you. You’re my favorite flavor, so go on and taste.”
She paints a finger over her lower lip, making it shine, and I stop breathing when she drags her tongue across it. With her eyes locked on mine, she takes her fingers into her mouth, a throaty moan filling the air as she cleans herself off.
“Use your fingers,” I order gruffly. “You’re not the boss of me.”
“The fuck I’m not. Ride your fingers, gorgeous, and pretend it’s my cock.”
A devilish smirk before she drags her fingers through her soaking slit, making herself quiver and flush. Jennie moans quietly as she pushes two fingers inside, heated stare fixed on my hand as I work my cock. I’m not going to last, and it’s her fault. Watching her love on her own body, appreciate all her curves and edges, is the biggest turn-on.
“One more,” I demand. “Can you do one more?”
Jennie doesn’t hesitate, plunging another finger, arching into her palm as she straddles that line. She squeezes a nipple, palming her perfect, round tit, her breath coming in spurts, and then her hand falls down her body, finding her clit.
“Fuck, Jennie. You’re so s*xy.”
“Garrett,” she whimpers, eyes dazed. “I’m gonna come.”
So the fuck am I. My balls tighten, spine tingling, and the second Jennie cries out, slamming her thighs together, head falling back, I’m a goner.
“Fuck.” I roll off the bed, leap to my feet, and accidentally empty my entire load onto the carpet. “Oh shit.”
Jennie’s giggle quickly spirals out of control. “Did you just jizz on the floor?”
“It was an accident! I wasn’t prepared!” I grab a pillow.
“Not the pillow! Gross! Someone’s gonna put their face on that!”
“I’m overwhelmed!” I yell, running to the bathroom. I grab a wad of toilet paper, which, as it turns out, is a terrible idea. It starts disintegrating, leaving white clumps all over the carpet as I wipe at my mess. “This is gonna cost me.”
“Best money you’ve ever spent,” Jennie retorts smugly.
Groaning, I collapse on the bed in time to catch Jennie rolling herself in her blankets. “So…”
“So…good night?”
“Good night? That’s it?” I chuckle. “Do you wanna, like… talk?”
She picks at her blanket. “Do you?” “Well, Adam’s not back yet.”
“So you wanna talk?”
“If you wanna talk, we can talk.”
“It sounds like you wanna talk, Garrett.”
I clear my throat, rubbing my nape. “Guess we could talk.”
Jennie grins. “Let me wash up and grab a snack.”
I follow suit, and when Jennie rejoins me, it’s with a bowl of cereal, wearing the hoodie I dressed her in when I last saw her.
“What’s that?” she asks.
I hold up the jar I just dunked my cookie in. “Cookie butter.” I shove the whole thing in my mouth. “Fwom da States. You gotta twy it. I sabe you some.”
Jennie giggles. “Okay, tell me about your night prior to ruining the carpet.”
“We were hanging at the bar with the team. Adam was getting hit on.”
“Just Adam?” “And Jaxon.” She waits.
“Okay, me too.” I swipe another cookie through my dip. “So, I told the guys I wanted to date, not just hook up.”
“Adam’s probably the only one innocent enough to believe that.”
I nod in agreement and then share with Jennie about Adam’s dream to one day foster, and she listens with a soft smile before telling me about her day.
“Ollie and I took the pups for a walk, and then she made me bake her a tray of brownies before the game. Cara and I spent most of the game yelling at the refs, and Ollie fell asleep in my lap during the third period.”
I smile as I watch her lazily wipe away the milk dribbling down her chin before she licks the corner of her mouth. She meets my gaze, smiling back, and I search for something else to say. I realize I’m not quite ready to say good night. Just talking about nothing with her… it’s nice.
“I, uh… told Carter you were my mom.” Her nose crinkles. “What?”
“When you sent me that picture,” I clarify. “I couldn’t even talk, and he didn’t see it or anything, but he asked me who I was texting and I…”
Her eyes glitter with her grin. It’s big and cocky, exclusively Beckett. “Said I was your mom.”
“My brain shut off. It almost always does when you’re involved.”
My head snaps as the door beeps, opens partway, and then promptly slams against the swing lock.
“What the fuck?” Adam jiggles the handle, shoving against the lock. “Did you lock me out, you fucker?”
“It was an accident!” I scramble off the bed, pulling my pants up with one hand. I trip for the second time tonight, nearly faceplanting in the mess I made. “Hang on a sec!”
Jennie shakes with laughter, hand clamped over her mouth, and I shoot her a look.
“Night, sunshine,” I whisper.
She winks. “Night, Gare-Bear.”
I shove my phone into my pocket, smooth my hand down my chest for no reason at all, then open the door. Adam stands there, brows high on his forehead, and I’m already coming up with excuses in my head.
Then he steps forward, tumbles into me, and I realize he’s drunk as fuck.
He peels his clothes off on the way. “Can I have some cookies?” He nabs the package and jar off my bedside table, not waiting for a response.
He stops abruptly, gaze falling to the ruined carpet. The tips of my ears burn.
I scratch my neck as Adam stares at me. “Uh, that’s…I was…well, see, I was—”
“I don’t even wanna know.” He wobbles by, shaking my cookie butter in my face. “This is mine now, ’cause I’m not gonna tell anyone about that. Deal?”
Fucking deal.
