Rally (Treasure State Wildcats Book 3)

My feet were kicked up on the coffee table. ESPN was playing on the TV, the volume muted. And Faye was curled into my side on the couch, asleep and drooling on my shirt.

This had become our Monday evening routine. We’d cook dinner, then spend the rest of the night curled together, either reading or studying or watching TV until Faye crashed, and I’d carry her upstairs to bed.

She’d been asleep for nearly an hour already, but I wasn’t ready to move her yet. Not until I felt another kick. At least, I thought it had been a kick.

My hand was splayed across her belly, and there’d been a ripple of movement about thirty minutes ago. If I had to wait all night to feel it again, I’d stay right here on this couch.

The front door opened and Maverick stepped inside.

He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, I pressed a finger to my lips and mouthed, “Shush.”

He rolled his eyes. Shithead.

His shoes dumped clumps of snow on the mat in the entryway and a rush of cold air flew inside before he closed the door. Then he set his backpack on the floor with a plop and unzipped his coat.

We hadn’t talked much in the past few weeks. He’d spent most of Christmas break at his parents’ house, hanging with his mom. And Faye and I had gone to the ranch for the holiday.

Mom and Dad had spent seven days smothering her with affection. It had been almost sad to watch at first. Not because she didn’t deserve the love, but because she’d been so shocked by it.

She’d never had parents spoil her with gifts or special meals. Even after the week was over, the hugs from my parents seemed to take her by surprise.

But she’d get used to it in time.

That’s what we needed. Time.

Three more months and Squish would be here. Three more months of just us.

And Maverick. For now.

Middle of the school year, there weren’t many rentals available, especially in Faye’s price range. She hadn’t mentioned a budget, but I’d noticed the tension in her face every time we found a listing she couldn’t afford.

So for now, we’d decided to wait and keep looking. Hopefully toward the end of the semester, we’d have more options. Worst-case scenario, we’d turn her bedroom into the nursery for a few months.

Faye was sure Maverick would hate living with a newborn and was hoping he’d move out before the baby was born.

Maybe she was right. But Mav also loved kids, and I had a hunch he might surprise her.

Maverick crossed the room and took a seat on the opposite end of the sectional. He spun his hat backward and turned his attention to the TV.

When he realized the volume was off, he stretched for the remote resting on the cushion beside me, but before he could touch it, I swatted his hand.

“Seriously,” he muttered.

“Read the captions.”

Since school had started again, Faye had been putting in long hours on campus and at Dolly’s. She needed the sleep more than he needed to listen to an announcer talk about weekend sports highlights.

“You’ve changed,” he said.

“Not really.”

His jaw flexed. “I’ve hardly even seen you lately.”

I’d seen him at both practice and weight training today.

“Every waking minute you’re with her,” he said.

“Yeah.”

“You weren’t like that with Halsey. You always put your friends, your team, first.”

Faye’s body tensed, a sign that she was now awake, but she didn’t move or open her eyes.

Or maybe she didn’t realize I knew she was listening.

If Mav wanted to have this conversation, if she wanted to be here for it, then that was fine by me.

“Faye is my team, Mav. She comes first, always. No, I wasn’t like that with Halsey. Because Halsey isn’t Faye.”

Maverick and I had talked about Halsey, about everything that had happened, more times than I could remember over the years. It was usually a snide comment on his part, an apology on mine. He’d wave it off, tell me it didn’t matter, and I’d make sure the two of them were always kept at a distance.

We’d had the conversations, but we hadn’t solved anything.

It was time to talk about it again. For the last time.

“I’m sorry about what happened with Halsey. I’m sorry that I broke your trust.”

“It’s fine,” he said.

“No, it’s not. I regret it. That’s not the kind of man I am.”

He sighed, taking off his hat to run his hands through his hair. “It’s not a big deal. We weren’t together, and it was a long time ago.”

“Then stop testing my loyalty.”

“What?”

“You never said it, but you expected me to choose between you and Halsey. And for the most part, I chose you.”

How many times had I canceled plans with Halsey to hang with Maverick? How many times had I blown her off because he’d wanted to watch a game? How many times had I used football as the reason to put off a date when really, Maverick had made a comment that had gotten under my skin?

All those months ago, when I’d listened to Halsey’s irate voicemail messages when I’d been camping, I’d brushed them off as angry and dramatic. But she hadn’t been entirely wrong. Blaming our breakup on Halsey wasn’t fair. I’d never put her first, truly first.

Even if I had, we wouldn’t have lasted. I realized that now.

Halsey wasn’t Faye.

“I will always choose Faye. Always. You’re my best friend, Mav. But she’s my team.”

Maverick’s gaze dropped to her face, his eyebrows coming together. “I get it. You’re having a kid and⁠—”

“It’s not the baby.”

“Rush.” He scoffed. “You’re telling me you’d be together if she wasn’t pregnant?”

“Yeah, I am.”

It was an alternate reality. I wasn’t sure how or when we would have gotten together, but in my bones, I knew I would have found the path to Faye.

He shook his head, dropping his gaze to his lap.

I wasn’t sure what it would take for him to believe me. There was a chance he never would. But that was his problem, not mine.

“I’m going to take her to bed.” I grabbed the remote and threw it across the couch. Now he could listen to the volume as loud as he wanted.

Except as I made a move to sit straighter, a wobble rolled through Faye’s side, right beneath my palm.

Her eyes popped open and her hand flew to cover mine. “Did you feel that?”

“Hey, Squish.” I smiled so wide it hurt.

Faye didn’t move, barely breathing, as we waited for it to happen again. Except he must have been done twirling around because her belly went back to its normal stillness. She looked up and frowned. “Dang it.”

I kissed her forehead. “He’ll do it again.”

She pushed off my chest, shifting to the edge of the couch. Then she stared at Maverick, her head cocking to the side. “Why don’t you like me?”

Mav, the asshole, didn’t deny it. “He’s my best friend.”

“And you think I’m going to screw him over or something? Or is it just because you think I got pregnant on purpose?”

“He’s got greatness in him. More than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s going somewhere, and that means fame and fortune. I’m just looking out.”

Faye hummed, her hand absently running up and down her side as I watched the two of them stare at each other. “If I were in your position, I’d be suspicious too. That’s fair.”

“Really?”

“He does have greatness in him.” She looked up at me and smiled. “But you’re not the only one looking out.”

Did Faye have any idea how special she was? Probably not. But from the look on Maverick’s face, he was starting to realize it too.

Faye shrugged and stood. “Believe what you want, Maverick. I actually like the way you’re protective of Rush. We have that in common. But if he really is your best friend, then stop being such a dick.”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped.

With a saccharine smile, Faye sidestepped the coffee table and started for the stairs. Except before she made it out of the living room, Mav shot to his feet.

“Wait.”

She turned, giving him a bored stare. “Yeah?”

He looked at me, studying my face for a long moment. If he thought I’d jump in the middle, then he was wrong. Faye didn’t need me to play mediator. She could handle herself.

Mav let out a strangled breath, then held out his hand toward Faye. “Truce?”

She stared at it, eyes narrowing like it was a trap.

“I’ve kind of been a dick lately.”

“Kind of?” I scoffed.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t want you guys to move out. I don’t want to move, and I sure as hell don’t want to find new roommates. So let’s call a truce and be done with it.”

The corner of Faye’s mouth turned up as she took his hand. “Fine. A truce.”

He nodded, opening his grip to let her go, but she held firm.

“If you ever eat my food again, I’ll have my boss bring over one of her pet snakes and leave it in your bed.”

“Fuck.” He pulled his hand free from hers like she’d stung him as I burst out laughing.

Faye giggled, shooting me an evil smile. If Maverick didn’t believe that threat, he’d be a fool.

“For such a small person, you’re actually kind of terrifying,” he said. “Glad I’m not the guy sleeping beside you at night.”

“Someday, I hope the woman you fall for twists you up so tight you won’t know up from down. And I hope I get a front-row seat to witness it.”

“Ha.” His laugh was short and dry. “Never happening.”

“Never say never.” Faye’s warning lingered as she disappeared upstairs.

“Huh.” Mav rubbed his jaw when she was gone. “She’s feisty.”

“That she is.”

He faced me with a frown. “All right. Fine. I get it. I can see the appeal. She’s beautiful. And yeah . . . I don’t believe anymore that she got knocked up on purpose.”

Was that approval in his voice? If so, it didn’t really matter. But I’d take it. I’d take their truce if it would cut back the stress on Faye.

“Are you seriously going to move out?” he asked.

“Depends on you.” I stood from the couch. “Be. Fucking. Nice.”

He held up his hands. “Okay. Shit. Sorry. Message received.”

“Thanks.” I followed Faye’s path around the coffee table, walking toward the stairs.

“Rush?” Mav stopped me before I could climb. “On Thanksgiving, when you sat with me. I never said thanks.”

“No need, man. I’m here. Whatever you need.”

He swallowed hard. “Appreciate it.”

With a sad smile, I headed upstairs, finding Faye in my room. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, typing on her phone.

“Gloria?” I asked.

She nodded. “She sent me a list of baby names. They were my mother’s suggestions.”

“Oh.”

Gloria, like Faye, was stubborn to a fault. No matter how often Faye told her to back off about their mom, Gloria wouldn’t stop.

If she wasn’t careful, if Gloria kept pushing, she’d shove Faye right out of her life.

“Whatever.” Faye set her phone on the nightstand. “They were all names we’ve vetoed already.”

“Want me to take your mind off it?” I closed the door and crossed the room, bending until my face was in hers.

“Yes.” She smiled against my mouth as I pressed her into the mattress, her gorgeous hair spilling in silky waves around her face.

It looked more golden than red in tonight’s light. There were a couple features I hoped like hell my boy would inherit from Faye. Her caramel eyes. And this hair.

With my hands threaded into the strands, I kissed her until we were breathless and tearing at each other’s clothes.

It had been over a month since we’d started sleeping together, but every night, I had to remind myself this was real.

Stripping her bare had become my favorite part of the day. I stretched out beside her on the bed and let my hands wander, exploring every inch of her creamy, smooth skin and the swell of her belly.

She reached for my cock, taking it in her hand.

That first stroke was sheer bliss. A bead formed at the tip, and she swiped it with her thumb before bringing her finger to her mouth.

“You want more?” I asked, trailing my fingers to her core. Then I spread her folds apart and eased my middle finger inside. “You want me to fill your mouth or this?”

“Rush.” Her pussy fluttered, her knees opening wider as her grip on my dick tightened. “Fuck me.”

I shifted between her legs, kneeling above her. Then I hauled her ass onto my thighs so I could tilt up her hips as I positioned myself at her entrance.

Another night, I’d fill her mouth like I’d done last night in the shower. Tomorrow, I’d have her taste on my tongue. But tonight, I wanted to see my come dripping out of her body after I fucked her to sleep.

So I thrust home, closing my eyes as she cried out.

It started slow and steady, my hold on her hips forcing her to keep still and take every stroke. But as a flush crept into her chest, spreading across those pretty breasts and turning her nipples a rosy red, she propped up on an elbow and reached for me.

With our mouths fused, we moved in tandem, two bodies in perfect unison.

“Rush.” Her hands clawed into my shoulders as she panted. “Harder.”

I fucked her harder. Faster.

“Oh, God.” She arched her back, her body writhing as her orgasm hit, pulsing around me like a vise.

Her release triggered my own and we came together in a tangle of tongues and limbs.

“Faye.” I groaned her name over and over as I poured into her body.

It got better, every single time. How was that possible? How was this real?

Spent and boneless, I sagged against her, shifting my weight to her side and off her belly. She was halfway asleep before I even pulled out.

“Sleep.” I kissed her forehead and tucked her beneath the covers, then headed for the bathroom.

She was out when I returned, but her eyes fluttered open as I pressed the warm washcloth against her flesh to clean her up. “Rush?”

“Sweets?”

She waited until I met her gaze. “Do you ever feel like this is too good to be true?”

Yeah. Every damn day.

“It’s not,” I promised, hoping like hell that pit in my stomach, the dread that something was going to come along and screw this up, was just a figment of my imagination.