My Lucky Catch (University Park #6) (19 page)

“There has to be a reason.” Luke pushed me, but I wasn’t ready to confess the truth to him.

I dropped my hands
and searched for the tough Delaney. The one that got me through the last thirteen years. The one that was made of stone. The one with the strong heart that couldn’t be hurt.
“Do I have to remind you that we weren’t exclusive when it happened?”

“Oh.” A rattled laugh belted from him. “So, that’s your excuse?”

“I don’t need an excuse, Luke. I told you from the beginning that if you wanted to keep sleeping with me, it’d be on my terms. Remember?”

“Ugh!” Luke growled. “Are you that blind, Delaney? Can’t you see how much I care about you? How I feel about you?”

My heart rate picked up again, and my stomach flopped. Vomit threatened to release from me. I swallowed several times, forcing it back down. “No, Luke. There’s nothing more than fucking going on between us.” I pointed back and forth between us. “We only use each other for pleasure. It’s for the sex and nothing more. Can’t you see that?”

“I can’t believe you’re saying this!” He sounded like he was ready to cry.

“Sorry, but you pissed me off that night, and Riley was there, so I took advantage of him.”

“You took advantage of him? Really? I think you got it backwards, Delaney.” He dragged a hand over his face and rubbed the scruff on his chin. “I don’t get you.”

“You’re not supposed to, Luke. I’m
that
type of girl. The one
you
don’t take home to your parents.”

“I guess, so.” He released a heavy sigh and started the car. Without any more words, he drove back slowly to the campus.

The car stopped, and he looked at me. I gave him a silent stare, telling him I was sorry for what I’d done. I wanted to tell him how much it was killing me. How much I regretted that Riley’s hands had touched my skin. That he shared his bed with me, the same bed Luke and I had sex in for the first time, but I didn’t have the heart to. I was a terrible person, and I didn’t deserve him. It took all of my strength to open the car door.

I sat there for a moment, staring at the man that had somehow stolen the one thing I vowed to never give anyone again.

My heart.

I wanted to tell him how much I loved him and how sorry I was for hurting him. Beg him to wrap his arms around me and hold me close.

Not to let me go.

Promise to love me to the end.

To let it go because having sex with Riley didn’t mean a damn thing to me. But I couldn’t. With tear-filled eyes, I placed one foot on the ground and got out of the car. “See ya.” I shut the door and didn’t look back.

***

The week dragged, and I continued to text Luke, telling him how sorry I was for what I’d done. I knew he’d eventually find out; I just didn’t want it to be from Riley’s mouth. I wanted to throat punch that asshat. It took Luke a few days to respond to me. He claimed he wasn’t angry anymore, just disappointed in my decisions. We met up for lunch before the World Series game, and he asked if I was going. I told him I wanted to, if he wanted me there. He said he did, as long as I cheered for him and not Riley. That nearly broke my heart, but I guess I deserved it.

Instead of going back to the dorm, I headed to the bookstore. Since Luke was on the white team, I wanted to buy something new to show my support. I found a cute ruffled blouse and paid for it. As I walked to my dorm, my hands and palms broke out in a sweat. I wasn’t sure what I’d tell Lexi if she asked me what happened between Luke and me. Although Luke said he’d tell her, I didn’t ask him if he had talked to her. I didn’t want to push it after what happened at the bowling alley.

I unlocked the door, went to my room, and put on my new shirt. It looked cute with my jeans and boots so I didn’t bother to change my shoes. Taking a deep breath, I walked down the hall to Lexi’s room. We’d been avoiding each other for the past few days. I knew she was searching her heart about marrying Collin, while I was regretting sleeping with Riley.

“Lexi?” I knocked on her door.

“Yeah, come in.”

I cracked the door open and stood in the doorway, hesitant to enter. Lexi was slipping her boots on.

“Are you going to the game?”

“What do you think?” She held out her arms, showing me her purple sweater.

I figured I’d let her know I was going, too. With a timid smile, I opened the door further, showing her my white ruffled shirt. “I’m going, too.”

“Supporting Luke?” Her expression told me she already knew the answer.

I wrapped my arms around my body and stared at the floor. A monsoon of guilt rushed in, covering me to the point that it felt like my body was being pulled under.

“It’s okay, Delaney. You can quit pretending now.” She walked up to me and moved the hair dangling in front of my face. “I know you and Luke have been seeing each other.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. I had to be the worst friend ever! I looked at her, ready to beg for forgiveness. “Are you mad?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Just disappointed that you didn’t tell me.”

It was good to hear she wasn’t pissed at me because she had every right to be. “I’m sorry.” I released a big sigh. “I wanted to tell you, but Luke thought it was best if we just kept it between us.”

“Why?” She took a step back and crossed her arms. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s complicated.” I glanced at the floor, then back at her. “We’re not together, together . . .”

Lexi sat on her bed and gave a slight nod. “So, you’re more like friends with benefits?”

“Yeah,” I shrugged. “I guess you can say that.”

“I know you’re not the type that sticks with one guy, but all I ask is that you treat Luke right and not hurt him.”

“I like Luke, I really do.” I fell on the bed, next to her. “I’m just not ready to settle down, not yet.” I stared at her, waiting for her to say something.

“Don’t look to me for advice.” She shot me a quick glance. “I can’t even find the nerve to tell Collin I don’t want to marry him.”

I did a double take, not believing what I just heard. “So, you’re one-hundred percent sure that’s what you want?”

Her eyes watered, and she pressed her lips together, nodding. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close to me. She sobbed quietly. “I can’t get through to him. No matter what I do or say, he won’t change. It’s like he’s wearing a shield that protects his emotions and a vice that surrounds his heart. Apparently, I don’t have the power to penetrate that combination lock.”

“Some guys just don’t get it.” I shook my head, feeling bad for her. She had tried so hard, but no matter what she did, he refused to give her what she wanted most.

Love.

“Sad, but true.” She glanced at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I know now that our relationship exists on a friendship level. I can’t marry him knowing that we aren’t madly in love with one another.”

I stared deeply into her saddened eyes. “And you’re not doing this in hopes of being with Raven?”

“Seriously?” She pushed away from me. “You really think I’m leaving Collin to be with Raven?”

“I don’t know.” The tone in her voice told me she didn’t appreciate the question, but I had to ask it, because if she was, I had to warn her to tread carefully. I recoiled against the wall, wrapping my arms around my legs. “I mean, you’ve told me the way you feel about him, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

“Look, I might like him, but I promise you, I’m not doing this so I can be with him.”

“Okay. I believe you.”

Lexi’s shoulders relaxed, and she leaned against the wall. “I even canceled my session with him yesterday, and I’m not sure I’ll continue tutoring him.”

I rested my head against hers. She was dying to be loved, and I was scared as hell to be loved. Go figure. “Then, you’re doing the right thing and shouldn’t feel guilty. It’ll be hard, but in the end, you’ll be glad you did this.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Me, too.” Silence filled the space between us, and I asked, “When are you going to tell him?”

“Tonight, after the game.” She checked her phone. “I can’t keep going on like this. I’m miserable.”

“I know. I’m here for you,” I squeezed her hand. “No matter what.”

“Thanks, Delaney. I appreciate that.

Now that Lexi knew about Luke and me, we could finally stop sneaking around. But I had to ask myself if I was ready for that because Luke was, or at least I hoped he was after what I did.

Chapter 13

Luke

“This is so much better than fighting.” Delaney rolled off of me on to her side of the bed.

“I agree, but I haven’t completely forgiven you.” I pointed my finger at her.

“What can I do to make you forget about what I did?” She reached under the covers and grabbed my dick, ready to stroke it.

“Stop.” I latched my fingers around her wrist and pushed her arm away.

“Wow. You’re turning me down?”

I crossed my arms behind my head and stared at the ceiling. “We just had makeup sex, Delaney. How am I turning you down?”

“I can usually entice you for a second round.” She whipped her hair around, and it fell over her breasts. I admit she looked sexy as hell, but I was still peeved at her.

“Give me ten minutes or so. I keep thinking about you being with Riley.”

“Ugh? Why?” she moaned.

“That’s what I keep asking myself? Why that asshole?”

“Will you quit asking me that?” She pounded the mattress with her fist. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Happy to.”

“So, what are you going to do about next season?” She turned on to her side, pulling the sheet over her bare body.

I glanced at her for a moment, letting go of all the hatred flowing through me. I wanted to stay mad at her, but I couldn’t. Seeing her lying in my bed after sex was a near miracle. In the past, she was out the door as soon as she had an orgasm, but now, she didn’t seem to be in such a rush, which was a good sign. Maybe I’d get her to open up and get to the bottom of all this screwing around.

“I told Coach I want to play.”

“Even though you don’t want to play professionally?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, glad that I had made up my mind and gotten my head straight. “Just because I don’t want baseball to be my career doesn’t mean I don’t love it.”

“It’s a good living.” She raised her brows.

“It is, but do you know how difficult it is to land a contract with a major or minor league team?”

Her brows lowered, and confusion struck her face. “But you’re awesome on the field.”

I released a slight chuckle. “Not as good Collin, Forbes, or Mateo.”

“Well, I think you’re damn good.” She ran her fingernails through the side of my hair. Shudders spread throughout my body. I was a glutton for this woman’s touch and was quickly falling for her tricks.

“Thanks, but you have to better than good. You have to be freakin’ awesome.”

“I know something you’re awesome at.” Her hinting told me she wasn’t done teasing me.

“Oh, yeah?” I pulled her closer to me, squeezing her ass in the process.

It’s amazing how fast ten minutes can fly by.

Pushing my hand away, she said, “I’m being serious, Luke.”

“Okay, I guess I should’ve taken you up on your offer a minute ago.” I lifted my hands in surrender.

“You said you wanted to talk.”

“I did. So, what am I good at?”

“Training people.”

“You think so?” I grinned and rubbed my chin. It felt good to hear that from her. It assured me that I was making the right decision.

“I know so.” Pounding the pillow, she adjusted it under her neck. “I see the guys you’re training and the results you get. You have a promising future ahead of you.”

“That’s what Coach Summers said.”

“See?” She nudged me.

“I’ve also been talking with the team’s athletic trainer, and there might be a spot for me after I graduate.”

“Really?” Her voice raised an octave. “So, you’d be training the baseball players?”

“Not on how to play baseball, but how to work out and stay in shape.” I puffed my chest, hoping she liked what she saw.

“That’s great, Luke.” Her hands splayed across my pecs, giving them a little squeeze.

Oh, yeah, she liked me body alright.

“I’d have to travel with them and attend every game.”

“But it’s not as much as the pros, right?”

“No. Definitely not.” The smile on her face told me she was okay with that. “I guess I’ll have to wait and see what happens come May.”

“Keep doing what you’re doing, and I’m sure PHU will hire you.” She continued to rub her hands all over my torso. “Damn, your stomach is amazing.”

I slapped it while tightening my stomach. “Nah. It’s still flabby.”

“Whatever.” She laughed and rolled her eyes. “You want to see flab,” she threw back the sheets and smacked her own butt. “Now this is flab.”

For a few seconds I allowed my eyes to survey the area. “No, I don’t think so.” I grabbed a huge hunk of her ass in my hand. “Women should have a nice behind, and you,” I gave it a nice squeeze, “definitely do.”