Just Listen (8 page)

Finn

“So,” Kiki said, addressing us now that our story had been regurgitated for the American public. “What’s next for both of you?”

“It’s all about hockey now,” I said briefly.

“And work for me,” Casey added.

Then we exchanged pleasantries and joined our agents.

It was over.

In reality, what was next for me was to repair my broken heart, as pussy-ass as it sounded. Casey shattered it.

I’m not sure what happened that day at the press conference. But Casey was definitely a part of it.

She denied everything, but I couldn’t let myself fall for another one of her lies.

In the corner of the studio, Stan stood grinning ear-to-ear. He had no idea I was going to fire him before the new season started. That asshole also knew about the
gotcha
press conference, and didn’t tell me.
Thought we’d get a better reaction for the cameras if it was a surprise,
he said.

Bastard.

“You two were so good together,” Stan said. “Finn, we are going to have sponsors pounding on our doors. And mental illness is hot right now.”

What. The. Fuck.

“Hot, really?” I said. “Dude, can you think just a little before you spew this shit?”

He nudged my elbow, like I was joking around. Little did he know I was seconds from smashing his face into one of the cameras.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Stan said. “But I really think you could be the face for bipolar disorder. It could be a very rewarding thing, Finn. We need to think about it.”

“Jesus,” I spit. “Okay, Stan. We’ll talk, but right now can I have a minute with Casey?”

She turned to me, wide-eyed, when I said her name. And shit, my dick twitched.

We walked into the greenroom and I closed the door.

“You need to get rid of that guy,” Casey said with her smart mouth.

She shut up when I locked the door.

All the bantering and anxiety of the interview had me reeling. And it wasn’t about the meds or an episode. I was fucking horny as hell and I needed Casey.

One last time.

We smashed into each other at the same moment. My lips devoured her mouth, tangling with her tongue, trying to control and possess. Something I was unable to do in the studio, but I knew she’d let me here while we were alone.

I prodded and pulled at her smart suit she wore for TV. I needed more of her skin. When I got to her bra, I ripped it in my effort to get her bare. Then I feasted on her breasts.

She moaned in that delicious, impatient way of hers as she pawed at my clothes.

We ripped away at the fabric, until we were both naked.

Then I pulled her to me, lifting her up against the wall, before I fucked her senseless.

***

Casey

I couldn’t get enough of him and apparently I wanted the world to know. Finn had to put a hand over my mouth to keep everyone at the studio from knowing what we were up to in the greenroom.

Our movements were fast and frantic. I wanted to make it last forever, but once he pushed that glorious cock into me, I was done.

Convulsing almost immediately, I cried out into Finn’s hand, tightening my thighs around his waist and digging my heels into his ass.

The feeling of release was overwhelming. Finn didn’t last much longer than I did. And as he thrust into me that final time, he bit down on my neck.

When he stilled, I knew it was the end.

We settled our breathing, and Finn set me down gently. I tried to keep the tears from falling. This is what he wanted from me. Nothing more.

We were silent as we put our clothes back on, but I watched him. I wanted to record every last second.

“Guess this is goodbye then,” Finn said, and my wishful heart told me it was a question.

My head told me it was a blow off. It was the end.

We stared at each other for a long moment and then, just like that, it passed.

“Goodbye,” I said, before I walked out the door.

SUDDEN DEATH (n.)

The overtime period in a tie game. The first team to score wins.

Finn

After the interview, and the greenroom experience with Casey, I locked myself back on my property, much like I did after Dr. Hart told me I was bipolar.

I worked out non-stop, with only the occasional visit with Nate. But soon enough I was working out with the team and then even played in my first game.

It was fine. Okay. I would make it. Even without Casey. But hell if I didn’t miss her.

“Found out some interesting news today from one of the Sports Girls,” Nate said during our weekly pizza night.

“Not interested, Nate.”

“You should be,” he taunted.

“Why?”

“Because it was about Casey.”

Fuck him.

He knew he wasn’t allowed to say her name in my presence.

“It’s over, man,” I said. “Can’t you just let it be?”

“No,” Nate said. “I can’t, and I’m getting damn sick of you moping about it.”

“You don’t have a clue how hard I’m trying,” I admitted. “Personally, I think it’s a damn miracle that I haven’t been sent back to Regions considering all that’s happened. Every day it’s work to get up and out of bed. To practice and the games.”

“I know it is.” Nate’s voice softened. “I know you’ve had to deal with more than your fair share of shit. But you need to hear this.”

“Okay.” He was good at wearing me down. “Fine. Speak.”

“Casey didn’t’ have anything to do with that press conference.”

“So she says. This is nothing new.”

“I guess she tried to retract everything, but the execs at KXAA strong-armed her. That little shit even threatened them with a lawsuit.”

“So where did they get the news, then?”

I wanted to believe it, but there was no way this was true.

“Ava,” Nate said.

I stopped breathing.

“She wouldn’t.”

“Of course she would. This was a typical Ava move.”

“But she could’ve done this at any time, why then? Why not when she found out I was cheating on her?”

“Because Casey wasn’t in the picture then.”

He was right.

“There’s more,” Nate said.

“Spit it the fuck out then. I’m losing it here.”

“I guess Casey’s been in rough shape. She quit the job or was forced out – depends on who’s telling the story. But she got offered a reporter position in Phoenix.”

“Phoenix?” My chest was caving in on itself.

“It’s a good gig for her.”

“The fuck it is,” I yelled.

“I knew you’d react this way,” Nate said. “But one thing, man. It
is
a good gig for her. So don’t go barreling over there and making her stay if you don’t mean it.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” I said.

“Really?” Nate rolled his eyes.

“Really,” I snapped.

“I just think you need to think long and hard about this,” he said.

Casey

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me for freaking Arizona,” Zack said while I was packing.

“Think about it this way,” I said in between folds, “you have a free place to stay in February.”

“It won’t be the same, Case. But okay, that part doesn’t sound half bad.”

I could tell my brother was getting a little emotional because he excused himself a few seconds later. I understood. I’d been bawling ever since I accepted the position, but I really had no choice.

My phone buzzed and I felt that familiar wave of hope. Always hoping it would be
him
on the other line.

But hope was for suckers.

“Hey, Mack,” I said when I read her name on the screen.

“We’re still on for one last hurrah tomorrow night, right?”

I didn’t want to go, but I couldn’t let her down. She’d done so much for me and I did want a proper goodbye.

“Of course,” I told her.

“I’m thinking drinks and then maybe we can egg The Mole’s car or something.”

“Perfect,” I told her, before I felt the room go about 20 degrees warmer.

I turned around to my door and there he was. The source of the heat.

Finn wore gym shorts and a tight T-shirt. I literally couldn’t speak at the sight of him.

He walked in, took the phone from my hand, glanced at the I.D. and said, “Mack, it’s Finn, Case will call you back in a little bit.”

As he moved the phone from his ear, I could hear Mack screaming, “Go get her, you sexy idiot!”

Then he threw it on the bed.

“She’s right. I am an idiot. I was scared and I wanted to believe the worst – I did believe the worst – in you. But I’m sorry.”

He paused, waiting.

“Oh, ah, my turn?”

Finn nodded.

“I’m sorry too. You had every right to believe the worst. I didn’t give you a reason not to.”

“You did, Case. You did so many times.” He swallowed and his eyes were glossy. “I hear you’re leaving town.”

For once I was unable to hold the tears back. They came flowing down my cheeks.

Finn moved closer and wiped them away with his thumb.

“I am. But before I go, I want you to understand that I had nothing to do with that press conference.”

“I know. I know it was Ava.”

“Snake,” I said, followed by a few other choice words.

“I could serve you her head on a platter if you like.”

“The old me would’ve loved that, but not the new me,” I said

“The new you?” he asked with a grin.

“Yes, I’m turning over a new leaf. Trying to control my temper, be more professional, that kind of thing.”

“Hmm, I kind of liked the old you. The smart-mouthed spitfire who lives in Stillwater.”

“Yeah, well, people don’t really change, do they? I’m sure I’ll be the same in Arizona.”

“I don’t want you in Arizona.”

“You don’t want me at all, Finn,” I choked on my words. “You’ve made that perfectly clear.”

“Oh, I want,” he said, pulling me into him. “I’ve always wanted.”

“Don’t tease me, Finn.”

“I’m not teasing, Case. But I need to know more about the new you.”

“Like what?” I asked with a laugh through my tears.

Could this really be happening?

“Does the new Casey Scott still like it when I kiss her like this?”

Finn captured my mouth, completely invading it. Not rough like we were used to, but not all that soft, either.

He broke the kiss and I whimpered. But he waited for his answer.

“She does,” I said.

“And does the new Casey still like when I taste her like this?” he asked, tearing open my blouse, and pulling down the cups of my bra to pull a taut nipple into his mouth.

“Hmm?” he asked, vibrating against my breast, which did naughty things to me down below.

“Yes,” I said, in a breathy porn star voice.

He rewarded me with the same treatment to my other nipple.

“Does the new Casey still like it when I touch her like this?” Finn asked before pulling up my skirt and sliding his hand underneath.

He stroked me over my wet panties and groaned.

This was really happening.

Toying with the tips of his fingers along the edge of my thong, he pulled back and met my eyes.

“Now this is an important one,” he said. “I want you to be sure before you answer.”

“Okay.”

“Is the new Casey Scott okay having a possessive boyfriend who loves her and refuses to share?”

Loves.

“Holy shit,” I said, what I thought was in my head.

He raised an eyebrow. “You need to answer the question.”

“She is more than okay,” I said. “And I love you too, Finn. I have for so long.”

“Good,” he said, his eyes glossy once again. “Then let’s get you onto the bed. I have a lot more questions for the new Casey Scott.”

The End.

During the writing of this story, everything went wrong. A sick boy, a broken computer, a naughty dog, an unexpected trip, you name it. But the readers’ excitement for the first book in this series kept me going with a smile.

I have to give my husband huge props for this one as well. He’s been holding down the fort like you wouldn’t believe. You are seriously the best!

My editor Sara Biren put up with a lot of craziness this time around, but she handled it with such grace. My book is so much better because of her. Kisses!

And to the
Love Between the Sheets
gals, thank you for your hard work and putting up with my late deadlines! You are so professional and wonderful!

Again, hugs to Rebecca Berto for another beautiful cover!

I’m feeling so much gratitude for the amazing people in the book community, my family, and friends!! And to my readers, thanks for always putting a smile on my face.