Asher

“So you gonna tell me who this chick is or what?”

“Who?” I ask, taking a swig of my ice-cold beer. I missed the first period of the game, and I could tell Danny was annoyed. When I got here, Danny was pissed, but I don’t even care. Spending the afternoon with Marley and Lyla was well worth it.

“You know who, motherfucker. The piece of pussy that has you all twisted up in knots.”

That’s one way of putting it. My stomach does feel like it has a rubber band stretched around it every time I even think about her, not to mention I fight off a hard-on with every breath she takes. It’s the strangest feeling, knowing that whatever is happening between us, while scary as hell, I trust it. Maybe it’s because she already knows all the bad shit about me and she’s still able to look at me without an ounce of judgment or disgust. Or maybe it’s because she’s been hurt like me and she understands what it means to be betrayed and lonely.

So fucking lonely.

When she told me about her ex and what he’d done, it took everything I had not to take her in my arms and make her mine right then and there, which was a strange feeling, too. Because I’ve never wanted to possess someone so much in all my life. Besides my own family, I’ve never wanted to covet and protect another human the way I want to with her. Her and Lyla both, because fuck, now that kid owns my heart.

“See...you got that stupid ass grin on your face. You’re pussy whipped already.”

“Trust me, I’ve been nowhere near her pussy.”

“Shit, you haven’t even fucked her yet and she’s got you all hung up. You’re screwed, dude. Tell me who she is.”

The crowd roars as Evans slams the ball into the basket, putting the Grizzlies in the lead.

“Her name is Marley.”

“Marley? Marley what?”

“You don’t know her.”

“I might.”

“Marley Bennett.”

“You’re right, I don’t know her. How’d you two meet?”

“We met at the bar a few weeks back.” There’s no way I’m telling him the truth.

Two good-looking women come to sit down in front of us, both of them offering us a smile, but the blonde blatantly looks me up and down.

“What’s up, ladies?” Danny greets, leaning forward.

“Hi,” the brunette replies. The blonde is still eating me up with her hungry gaze but I’m completely unaffected by it, and the realization makes me smile. This is how it’s been for the last few weeks. Ever since I started seeing Marley, I don’t seem to notice anyone else. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the blonde is stunning and typically what I would go for but not anymore.

“My name is Georgia,” the brunette says then points to her friend. This is Jenny.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, returning my attention to the game while Danny commences to flirt his ass off with both of them.

I dig my cell phone out of my pocket and pull up Marley’s name, sending her a quick photo of the scoreboard.

Go Grizz!

Her reply is instant.

I know. I’m watching the game now. What a great shot!

I fire back. Evans is the man.

Damn right he is. Too bad he’s retiring next year. They will have to rally to find a point man as good as he is.

I have to nonchalantly adjust the hard-on making my jeans tighter, because is this woman for real? Not only is she one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever laid eyes on but she’s also incredibly smart, funny, a great mother, and a basketball fan.

A Grizz fan at that.

A picture comes through of her and Lyla in their Grizzlies jerseys smiling at the camera.

“Ah shit and she’s got a kid?” Danny says over my shoulder. “Fuck she’s gorgeous. No wonder she’s got you all tied up in knots.”

“Will you shut the hell up?”

“Never thought I’d see the day,” he says, clapping me on my shoulder. “But I can’t say that I’m sad at all. More pussy for me.”

Shaking my head, I fire back a text.

I would love to bring you both to a game sometime.

It takes her forever to reply.

Enjoy the rest of the game. See you at our next session.

I don’t reply, pocketing my phone and returning my attention to the game, but I can’t concentrate on anything but her and this feeling deep down in the pit of my stomach that tells me this is more than just some infatuation.