“Ach! Whatever.” Cheyenne whips the covers off her. She is fully dressed in a cropped top and tight pair of jeans. Couldn’t have been comfortable to sleep that way. I hooked up with her at some point last year. I never make it a habit to go for a second round. I don’t want to risk attachment.
Cheyenne gets out of bed and stretches, and I appreciate her female form and wonder if I’ve lost my mind. I have a willing chick right in front of me and for some damn reason I am pining over my best friend. A girl who is very off limits for a list of reasons. One being she is a single mom. Having grown up with a single mom I know it is not something to be messed with. My mom was all about Poppy and me. There was no way she was allowing some dude to intrude on our lives. I really like Paris’s son Max, so I feel like there’s some sort of bro code of me not wanting to tap his mom.
I throw on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt. Cheyenne watches me appreciatively. I know this because she licks her lips, and her eyes tell me she thinks I look good enough to eat. Honestly, it’s a little uncomfortable that she’s still here and not taking the hint. Sometimes it feels like these puck bunnies are a little over enthusiastic about us. I hate to give this analogy but it’s not like our shit doesn’t smell as bad as the next guys.
Once I’m dressed, I take my keys and grab my glasses. Paris is waiting for me to tutor her in organic chemistry, and I don’t want to be late for her because she mentioned having a busy day that included Max trying out for the Peewee league. I grab a hoodie and jacket just in case I decide to head to the arena with them.
“That’s it?” Cheyenne says as I reach for the doorknob.
I turn and contemplate. “Look I wasn’t really looking to hook up. We kissed and that was it. I don’t want to take things further. I hope you can understand.”
I use my calm and compassionate tone hoping it will work.
“Ohmigawd. Are you unwell or something?” Cheyenne’s jaw drops.
“What?” My face scrunches. “No,” I say like I have a bad taste in my mouth. I’ve also lost my patience with this girl. She slept in my bed uninvited. Was too pushy and aggressive. She needs to know what no means. “You need to leave now Cheyenne. Me and you aren’t going to happen.”
Her brows furrow and she huffs. I think she’s finally getting it.
She turns out of my room, and I exhale a long slow breath but not even a moment later she turns back into my room. WTF? She walks around my bed picks up her sneakers and huffs at me again. She tilts her chin up to the sky and finally leaves. This time I follow her out and close my door behind me locking it. I follow her down the stairs. Bozeman is standing at the end of the staircase and watches Cheyenne’s angry steps.
He smirks and raises his brows.
I shrug.
Cheyenne heads for the door and slips on her sneakers. She then turns back to me and huffs again and leaves smacking the door behind her.
“What the fuck did you to her?” Bozeman asks. His shoulders rise and fall with his laughter.
“It’s more like what I didn’t do. I wasn’t feeling it,” I shrug.
His brows raise high on his forehead. “Seriously? She’s hot.”
“I know.” I’m clearly not blind.
“What was the problem?” he asks.
“I’m not sure,” I admit.
“Don’t give me that bulshit,” Bozeman says. We’ve been playing on the same team for three years. He’s a good friend and we spend most of our free time together.
“I may be thinking of someone else, but it doesn’t matter because it isn’t going to happen,” I say heading to the kitchen.
Bozeman follows me. I pour myself a glass of orange juice.
“You can’t leave me hanging with that statement,” he says, and he waits expectantly.
I walk over to the counter and take a bagel and pop it into the toaster oven.
“Does it really matter?” I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s freaking early for a Sunday what are you doing up at this time?”
He shakes his head. “You’re not changing the subject.”
My bagel pops out of the toaster, and I grab some cream cheese from the fridge. I slather on the cream cheese put the two parts of the bagel together and walk out of the kitchen.
“Asshole,” I hear him shout behind me.
I laugh and shove the bagel in my mouth. I’m late for Paris’s tutoring session.
I laugh as I leave through the door. Besides if I admitted to Bozeman that I had a naked dream about my best friend and since haven’t been able to get her out of my head he would have a field day on me. All the guys in the house know she’s off limits. Cole made sure of it since he is with Paris’s sister Holland. Heck, I’m chiding myself for my brain conjuring up such a ridiculous dream. But as the dream filters through my mind and I remember the visual of Paris naked in the shower, warm water glistening down her tanned skin, I gulp. My dick hardens. Then I give my head a good shake and will my dick to chill out. There’s no point in rehashing the dream because it’s so far-fetched. I would never put a move on Paris.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank you my wonderful readers for taking your time which I know is precious, to read my latest novel. I hope you fell in love with Declan and Poppy as much as I did.
Thank you to all the bloggers who signed up to promote, read and spread word about Callous Player and the Westfall U series. You are all so selfless and amazing. Your dedication is truly inspiring.
I also want to thank Grey’s Promotions for doing such a great job on getting word out on Callous Player.
Another big thank you to my agent extraordinaire, Stephanie DeLamater Phillips. You always go above and beyond.
Thank you my wonderful editor Karen Hrdlicka. For taking such care with this manuscript and making the time to get this project done on deadline.
Thank you to my wonderful proofreader, Christina Gwin, you really are amazing at catching the little things.
To Sarah Hansen my cover designer, I just love what you’ve done with the covers for this series. They are truly perfect.
It really does take a community to bring a book together and my team is truly the best.
Finally, to my family. Thank you for your continuous support and understanding as I spend most of my time in my office working. I love you all.
XOXO
RC
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R.C. Stephens is a top 100 Amazon bestselling author.
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When she isn't in her writing cave she is raising three lovely children with her adoring husband.
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Her books are filled with humor, heartbreak, emotion and true love.
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Born and raised in Toronto, she loves the winter, but Spring and Fall are her favorite seasons.
ALSO BY R.C. STEPHENS
Westfall U Series : College Hockey
HEARTLESS PLAYER
RUTHLESS PLAYER
CALLOUS PLAYER
RECKLESS PLAYER: COMING SPRING 2022
Big Stick Series : NHL Hockey
Big Stick
Butt Ending