Once Upon A Half-Time: A Sports Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,154

got no reason to doubt you when a girl is confused.”

“Jada wasn’t confused. She went grinding on any dick she could find.”

“I’m not talking about Jada.”

Who the hell were we talking about?

Christ. I knew where this was going, and I wasn’t discussing it with her best friend.

“Think carefully about what you’re going to say,” I said.

I figured a doctor would be smarter when confronting a man about his own business. Guessed not.

“I don’t want you hanging around Mandy,” Rick said. “You leave her alone.”

“Did you give Mandy this same talk?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Well it didn’t work.”

Rick clenched his jaw. “She’s like a sister to me, and you’re like a second brother. But, if it comes down to it, she’s more vulnerable than you. I won’t let her get hurt.”

“Who said I’m going to hurt her?”

“You fucked her. You keep chasing her.”

“So?”

“You tell Bryce all those nice things—love the woman, get married, have the kids. That’s what Mandy wants too. If that’s not your game, then bow out before she gets hurt.”

“Mandy’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”

“She shouldn’t have to. You should know better than to prey on her.”

“Prey?”

“You’re not her type. She’s not your usual bimbo. Mandy deserves more than your selfish fucking.” Rick scowled. “Think beyond your cock for once. Ruin your own life, but don’t screw up hers.”

Rick returned to his brother, calling an Uber and forcing water down Bryce’s throat before he blacked out.

Think beyond my cock?

Right now I was thinking with my fists.

Fuck him.

If I wanted to chase Mandy, I’d do it. And I’d take her again and again because I knew what she liked and why she needed it more than some plan for the future.

Mandy shouldn’t have worried about relationships and commitments and marriages and all the shit that came with it. That girl was wound tighter now than the first time I fucked her, and the only way to calm her down was to fuck her into a puddle of pleasure.

Then fuck her some more.

And I’d be the one to do it.

I slammed the door to my office. So much for the party. Good thing I had work to do.

Beers tended to brew themselves once I had them in the storage tank, but I had yeast to grow, grains to mash, and orders to fill. The brewery was successful enough to employ two people plus my other bartender. They probably wanted to get paid this week.

Mandy had been right. I could have used an accountant. Maybe her dad didn’t pay her well and I could poach her for my business. Then I’d have her all to myself every day.

My email dinged. I checked the laptop.

It was news—but I didn’t know if the email was good or bad.

Nate,

The property in Santa Barbara has a lot of viewings this week. You better tour it soon if you want to put in an offer. It’s really the perfect spot for you, and I think we can win over the owners if they see your proposal—they’d definitely like the property in the hands of a small business. Let me know.

Angela

I didn’t hesitate. I called my realtor, but I was bounced to her voice mail.

“Angela, this week is no good. My best friend is getting married, and I gotta help with the wedding. Just…let this property go. There’s plenty of other places to check.”

I ended the call and felt sick.

What the fuck did I just do?

I wasn’t staying in town to help with the wedding or the preparations.

And I knew that property was the single greatest thing that might have happened to my brewery if I wanted to expand and head out west. I had tasted freedom, and it had a good, hoppy bite to it. But now something soured it.

A nagging, restless itch settled in the pit of my stomach. For twenty-eight years, I’d wanted to get the hell out of my hometown, make a name for myself beyond my family, and just fuck my way to happiness.

Now?

Only one thing kept me from packing a bag and setting down somewhere new with all the fun and prosperity it’d offer.

The only thing I wanted more than the life I had was the one I never thought I’d need.

I wanted Mandy, and that bullshit revelation knocked me onto my ass.

I headed back to the bar and grabbed a fresh beer. Chugged it. Opened another.

I drank until I got drunk, passed out on the couch in my office, and welcomed the black.

And, goddamn it—

I dreamt of Mandy.

15

Mandy

I thought nothing