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“I said, don’t touch me!” I shove him backward, my chest heaving. “Don’t ever touch me again. We’re done!”
Tears fill his eyes. “But I love you.”
“That’s your problem, not mine!” Turning away from his stricken expression, I storm out onto the field.
5
After I broke up with Rian, we’d avoided each other at practice, which wasn’t hard with me running laps or practicing with the backup players. My fear had proven real when Hendricks took my primary spot on the team, and I’d only played one more game my senior year.
It had turned out to be a blessing in disguise, making me realize I had only joined football because my father pressured me into proving I could still be manly, despite my Omega status. I had stuck with it through high school graduation but focused more on my classes, and the OOP helped me get a scholarship to an out-of-town university.
Away from my father, I discovered what I really wanted in life, and I graduated with a degree in journalism. I’ve worked with a news channel for a while, writing sports articles for their online subscription.
It’s hard work, but I finally received a promotion that allows for more time off, and the blog I started as a side project has gotten enough traction that I could go independent soon.
My boss is aware of it and had pulled me into her office before I left for the wedding to discuss options for a more flexible work schedule that will allow me to work from home. As long as I turn in my articles on time, I won’t have to work the standard nine to five, freeing up my options.
We’re supposed to talk about it more when I return to work on Monday and do a trial run. It would be nice to keep my benefits and have my travel expenses covered while pursuing my other interests with my blog.
I finally feel like my life is in a good place. But seeing Rian again reminds me of one of my biggest regrets. I was hurting and lashed out at Rian, blaming him for something that wasn’t his fault, and I need to apologize for that, if he’ll let me.
I just never thought I’d be given the chance to make amends at my foster mom’s wedding.
Once the wedding party leaves, the guests disperse to the reception area, making room for the staff to clear the seats and set up the dance floor.
Samantha and I rejoin Ben, Flinn, and the older gentleman who came with Joshua, who introduces himself as Austen. I spot Elijah, Flinn’s best friend, weaving through the guests with his camera, snapping pictures.
More hors d’oeuvres come out, and I grab extra plates for Samantha without being asked.
“These are so good.” She stuffs a cracker into her mouth. “Who’s catering this shindig?”
“A local cafe owned by Warren Markham.” Flinn tips his head toward a man near the cake table who’s so pregnant he looks ready to pop. “He’s family friends with Zac and Dr. Walton.”
Past the cake table, I spot the wedding party gathering on the well-manicured lawn for pictures, and Rian draws my gaze once more.
He looks good, even after all the years that have passed. Like me, he’s lost some of the football bulk, but his body still fills out his suit in all the right places. His hair, longer than it was in high school, curls around his ears, and a light beard defines his square jaw.
I’d be a liar if I said he didn’t make my pulse quicken, both with nerves and that small part of me that never stopped loving him.
The memory of our last time together crashes over me.
Rian breaks every speed limit as he drives us from the Homecoming dance to my house.
At the front door, I fumble with my keys to open the door, then lead him through the dark house to my bedroom.
Since I hadn’t planned to bring anyone here tonight, I didn’t pick up before I left earlier, so I leave off the lights and draw him toward my small twin bed.
His hands shake as he pushes off my jacket, then unbuttons my shirt, peppering kisses over my face and down my throat to my shoulders as he bares them.
My pulse races like crazy as I do the same for him, sweeping my hands over his muscular pecs and abs. When I reach for his belt, his stomach contracts on a sharp intake of breath. I open his buckle and zipper, then push his slacks down to leave him standing in only his boxers.
Light from the window illuminates his fit form, and my eyes greedily drink him in. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him in his boxers—hell, I’ve seen him naked in the locker room—but now I get to touch and taste, to feel that hard body on top of mine, and it nearly makes me come on the spot.
Rian pushes me back onto the bed, and I land on my elbows, watching as he kneels in front of me to take care of my pants. Despite how big he is, his fingers tremble when they undo my fly, and I lift my hips to make it easier to take off my pants.
He tosses them aside and leans over me to press his lips against my stomach. “I love you so much, Brad.”
My fingers in his short, blond hair. “I love you, too, Rian.”
