Page 220 of Cross Check

“Disrespectful enough for you?” I ask, pulling out my thumb and sprawling next to her on the bed.

“And then some. Christ. I need to repent for my sins.”

“If by repent you mean do again, then yeah. We need to do a lot of repenting.” I touch her chin, and she turns her head to look at me. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. It was perfect. You’re perfect,” she says.

She smiles again in that pretty and soft way I love. She moves to me and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. I kiss the top of her head, and she runs her fingers up and down my thigh. After sitting there for a few minutes, I carry her to the bathroom where we stand in the shower together. I kiss her under the water, and I know she’s not just the prize. She’s the goddamn jackpot.

SIXTY-EIGHT

AMELIA

DECEMBER, ONE SEASON AGO

Lainey

We land at 3! We’re ahead of schedule.

Me

I’ll be at the airport waiting for you girls!

Sienna

I’m going to scream when we land. It’s been way too long since we saw you.

Me

I know. At least we get a whole weekend together now!

Love you all! Be safe.

GE

Have fun with your friends tonight!

Me

I wish you could meet them.

I hate lying. I trust them with my life, but I’m afraid to let anyone in on our secret, you know?

GE

I get it. I want to tell Hannah, but if she finds out, she’d tell Coach. And that opens the door to the league finding out.

Me

Maybe one day.

GE

What if there was a way for me to meet your friends?

We could stage a run-in at a restaurant.

Me