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“Good job out there today,” Juju says to me when we’re in the locker room after the game.

“Thanks, man. I’m ready to start playing some games. I can’t wait to help the Inferno win.” I want to have the best season I ever had. Every player wants that each year, but the fire burns brighter in me now, like I have something to prove, like I want Blake to know that just like he didn’t make Hunter, I’m not the player I am because of him either.

“You will.” He pats me on the ass, then pulls a bag out of his cubby before heading toward the showers.

Some of the other guys and I talk for a bit before I take a shower too, get cleaned up, and then bounce.

Our practice facility is in Woodland Hills. We spent the day watching film and then practicing. I have most of the afternoon and evening now. Not feeling like going home, I head to Malibu Beach. It’s a bitch to find parking, but I get lucky finding a spot as someone is pulling out, and a few minutes later, I’m sitting in the sand and looking out at the most beautiful ocean I’ve ever seen.

I don’t know what makes me do it, but I take a photo of my legs out in front of me, the white sand, and then the water, before flipping over to my texts with Oakley.

I send it without a message attached and am surprised when he replies almost instantly.

Oakley: I was so happy when I got drafted to L.A. I don’t think I could have survived not being by the water.

Me: Yeah, I remember how much you love it.

I enjoy the beach too, but it was nothing like Oakley’s love of the water.

Me: I swear I thought you were half fish with how much you wanted to be out there…maybe mixed with a sand crab.

He sends a laughing emoji.

Oakley: I remind you of a combination of a crab and a fish?

Me: Cuter, though.

As soon as I hit send, I second-guess my decision. Am I allowed to flirt with him? He’s single now, even if no one knows it, and he did try to kiss me.

But Oak is skittish and has a lot on his plate, and the last thing I want to do is add to that.

Oakley: I’m just cute, huh? Not sexy? A fine-ass motherfucker.

I smile.

Me: Definitely a fine-ass motherfucker. Look at you. A week ago, you thought you hated me, and now you’re fishing for compliments.

Oakley: I never thought I hated you. I just didn’t know how to be around you, or what to expect from you. I still don’t. But I’m tired of playing it safe.

Me: There he is.

Oakley: Who?

Me: The Oak I remember from the beach. I want you tomorrow…want to touch you, want to feel you beneath me…want to make you come over and over again… Can I do that?

A minute goes by…then another, and another, followed by one more, and I think maybe I pushed too far, too fast. Yes, he’s the one who tried to kiss me, and I’m the one who pulled the plug on it, but I’m not strong enough to do it again. If Oakley wants me, I’m going to have him, and I’ll show him how much better I got at pleasuring a man over the years. I’ll take him apart and put him back together only to do it again.

Oakley: Yes.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Oakley

It’s not every day I’m driving to another man’s house with the plan to fuck.

That’s what Des meant, right? What he was talking about when he said he wants to make me come over and over again?

Will he want to fuck me? Want me to fuck him? How many men has Des been with over the years?