Page 78 of Payoff Pitch
“I don’t want you or Harper getting hurt. I’m not looking for anything long term.”
“I’ve gathered.”
“You’re so young and have things to experience. Things I’m done experiencing. I will never get married or have any more children.”
“Ever?”
“Ever. Sexual encounters are all I’m looking for. All I’ll ever want. I need you to understand that if we’re going to keep doing this.”
“I may be younger than you, but I’m not young. I can handle it and would certainly never want to do anything to harm Harper.”
“I know.” He’s quiet for a brief moment as his fingers run over my body. “Honestly, I haven’t begun to scratch this itch for you. I thought if we finally broke the dam, I could get this all-consuming need for you out of my system, but it’s not. If anything, I want you more than before.”
I can’t help but smile. “I feel the same way. It’s purely physical. I get it.”
“I enjoy spending time with you, but if you want this to continue, it stays behind closed doors. For Harper’s sake and for yours.”
I can’t deny a little bit of disappointment, but the fact is that I don’t want anyone but him. This itch hasn’t been scratched for me either. If anything, I’m more curious about what he can do to my body. I’ll never be my sister where I can have purely meaningless, emotionless sex, but I can channel her enough to spend time with a man with who I know I have no future. He’snot some stranger. I care about him and feel connected to him but understand what we are.
“I’m in.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BAILEY
Today is our victory parade down Broad Street in Philly. The whole city is shut down to celebrate us. We’re all excited about it.
The Cougars lost their steam after Layton’s injury and were knocked out of the World Series in game six. All the attention is on us.
Despite the sadness of Layton’s injury and their season ending, the guys are all excited for our victory and are coming to celebrate with us. Layton demanded the doctor put on his cast so he could come too. Apparently, they were waiting for the swelling to go down.
The parade is about to start, and we’re all in the big float. It’s our entire team plus a few of our close Cougars friends.
Ripley seems off. I don’t know why. I pull her to the side. “Are you okay?”
She takes a few deep breaths. Worry is written all over her beautiful face. “Today is for celebrating. We’ll talk later.”
Cheetah throws his arms around us. “Why do you two lookso serious? It’s a party day!” He nods toward a table full of shots. “Let’s get this party started!”
He hands out shots to several people and lifts his in the air. “To the Anacondas!”
Everyone screams out, “To the Anacondas,” as they take the shots.
After ensuring everyone has another shot in hand, he lifts his glass again. “Here’s to love. Here’s to honor. If you can’t come in her, come on her.”
Everyone starts laughing as they take another round of shots.
The parade begins down Broad Street. It pauses now and then as Kam, Cheetah, and a few others jump off the float to dance with the crowds. The two of them are nuts, but all the fans are eating it up. I can’t help but watch them together. I don’t ever remember anyone making my sister smile so much. I hold out hope that he can eventually break down the walls she’s so carefully built throughout the years.
I lean over to Arizona. “Are Kam and Cheetah doing a choreographed dance right now?”
She laughs. “They sure are.”
After a very bizarre dance routine, we’re approaching the cross street where Tanner said he’d be standing with Harper and Andie. My eyes immediately find him as we approach. If there was ever anyone made to stand out in a crowd, it’s Tanner Montgomery.
Flashes of what he’s done to my body for the past few days play on a loop in my mind. He now has Harper for the next few days, so I know we’ll be on pause, but the time I’ve spent with him recently has been incredible. I’ve experienced pleasure I’m not sure I ever knew existed. I’ll be gagging for it by the time she leaves for Fallon’s again.
We make eye contact, and he winks at me. I notice Harper in my jersey and Andie in Arizona’s.