The Forbidden Freshman: A College Sports Romance (Nolan U Hockey Book 1)

“So, no offense, but I officially hate your mother.” I tap my thumb on the steering wheel, agitation coursing through me as we drive back to Hockey House.

Mikayla snorts and shakes her head. “Asher’s right. She’s a full-blown bitch. I can’t believe she lied to everyone that way.”

“She robbed you of years with your father,” I huff. “In an effort to punish him, she ended up majorly hurting you too. Stupid woman.”

“I know.” Mikayla rests her head back against the seat, looking surprisingly calm. “It kind of sucks that she’s just getting away with it.”

“She’s not.” I shake my head, reaching for Mikayla’s hands and threading our fingers together. “She lost you, and that’s a heavy price to pay.”

Her smile is sweet, her eyes flickering with gratitude. “And he’s back in my life again.” I glance across to watch her smile grow even bigger. She squeezes my hand. “Thank you for making me go today. Thank you for… finding him.”

“Anything for you, Mickey Blue.”

She laughs. “That nickname is reserved for my dad and him alone.”

“Aw,” I whine, then wink at her. “Doesn’t matter, I prefer lil’ mouse anyway.”

Her soft chuckle is music to my ears. After all those tears in the restaurant, those brutal revelations, I thought the day might be a bust. But after their lengthy hug, Mikayla and Michael sat back down, and a waiter tentatively approached the table.

“Order whatever you want, guys. It’s on me,” Michael said.

I took him up on his offer and had the best steak of my life while Mikayla devoured a plate of eggs Benedict. Having eaten like a pigeon leading up to this, it was great to see her getting her appetite back. We talked about everything from Michael’s family and the resort in Cali to what Mikayla’s been doing. He was stoked to hear that his daughter was still best friends with Rachel and wanted updates on her too. Then he showed us pictures of his wife and their three children—Maddy, Marcus, and Kyle.

“They’re six, nearly five, and three. And they will be so excited to meet you.” His eyes danced, then washed with sadness when he asked, “Do you think… do you think Megan would like to meet them too? Will she be willing to see me?”

All Mikayla could do was shrug. “I can ask. I mean, we’re not that close, but I can definitely text her. Pass on your number.”

He nodded, obviously grateful that she was willing to try.

I was worried things would get depressing again after that, but Mikayla started talking about me, and her dad was super interested in my hockey and the fact that I want to go pro. It seemed to brighten up the conversation again, and by the time our second round of coffees rolled around, we were all laughing as he told me stories about what a terror Mikayla could be when she was little.

“She defined the terrible twos.” Michael laughed. “The number of times I had to carry her kicking and screaming out of public places. She was one determined young lady.” His eyes softened with affection as he smiled across the table. “I’ve always loved your spirit. I knew it would serve you well as an adult. But oh boy, it was a pain in the ass when you were little.”

I cracked up laughing while Mikayla slapped a hand over her face and turned bright red.

All in all, a great brunch.

And we’ve already arranged to see Michael again in December. He’s going to pay for Mikayla and me to fly out and meet his family over Christmas. Michael nearly started crying when Mikayla accepted on the spot. My dad will be disappointed, but we can do Thanksgiving with him, so it’s all good.

“I’ll put you up in the nicest suite at the resort.”

It’s gonna be freaking awesome.

“You ready to go home yet?” Mikayla suddenly asks.

I glance at her and shrug. “I thought that’s where we were heading.”

“I know you have a game tonight, but do you think we’ve got time for a little walk in the woods before you’re due at the arena?”

I check my phone screen. “I’ve got about an hour.”

“Perfect.” Her grin is adorable, and I turn off toward Berkeley Grove, parking in the gravel lot by the south side entrance. Mikayla jumps out of the truck, her smile playful as she grabs my hand and leads me down the first trail.

This park is a popular hangout for the whole town and often busy with people walking their dogs or exercising.

I thread my fingers through Mikayla’s, ambling beside her as we both decompress after such an emotional meal.

And then she jerks me sideways.

“What are you doing?” I laugh as she pulls me off trail and we plunge into the thickening trees.

Glancing over my shoulder, I check the coast is clear before ducking beneath the branches and following her into the shadows of the wood. She’s giggling, and that playful smile of hers quickly makes sense when she fists my jacket and pulls me down to meet her lips.

I happily take her up on the offer, swiping my tongue into her mouth while her deft fingers unzip my pants.

“You serious?” I murmur against her mouth. “Right here?”

“Yeah, baby. Doesn’t it turn you on?”

“You turn me on.” I nibble my lips along her jawline while she wraps her fingers around my pulsing cock.

“I just want to say thank you.” She breathes the words in my ear, then sucks my lobe while my fingers start scrambling for her waistband.

The cool breeze kisses my ass when she yanks my pants down, and there’s something so fucking sexy about the high-risk stakes of doing it outside. We’re far enough off the trail that the chances of getting caught are slim… but there’s still a chance. And damn if that doesn’t turn me on even more.

I shove her pants past her hips and wrestle one foot free so she can wrap her legs around me. Swiping my finger between her folds, I check that she’s wet enough, and hot damn, she is.

My dick twitches, anticipation nearly making me blow on the spot as I check my wallet and am relieved to find a condom in there. She snatches it off me, ripping the packet open with her teeth while I finger her.

She moans, tipping her head back with soft little gasps that prevent her from finishing the suiting up job.

“Baby, please,” I beg before sucking her neck.

She pulls it together, rolling the condom the rest of the way while I take her a little closer to the edge.

“Now, now, now.” She grips my shoulders and I hike her up, pressing her against the tree and plunging inside her.

We groan in unison, her sweet gasp ringing inside me as I thrust into her. Her legs clamp around me, and I grip her ass cheeks, finding a quick, heady rhythm.

“Yes.” She lets out a whimpering cry, and I take it even deeper, hammering into her while she pants in my ear.

The explosion comes so fast and strong, I feel like I’m floating as her inner walls clench me, milking me for all I’m worth. I push her back against the tree, puffing against her neck, my entire body trembling as I slowly nudge myself as deep as I can go and ride out the last strains of this mind-blowing orgasm.

“Fuck me, Mick. That was…” I lean back, shaking my head in wonder.

“I know.” She grins. “We should totally do this more often. There’s something about the breeze tickling my butt cheeks that just does it for me, you know?” Her eyebrows wiggle as she bites her bottom lip, then whispers, “Imagine what it’d be like if we were both fully naked.”

I groan, nestling my forehead into the crook of her neck, still not willing to put her down, to slip out of her and resume life as normal. How will it ever be normal again? It can’t. Because I’ve got Mikayla, and she is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

“I love you,” she whispers against my cheek, brushing her fingers through my hair. “I love you so fucking much.”

I smile against her skin, then kiss her neck before pulling away so I can look into her eyes. So she can see how much I mean it when I whisper back, “You and me. Forever.”

“Forever.” She smiles, and the look of trust in her eyes makes my insides bloom.

Then we seal the deal with a kiss.