“Afraid of a little PDA, Goose?” I tease. Devin doesn’t give a fuck about a kiss, as the usual indifferent scowl on his face can attest. “Nice school spirit.” I put my hands on her hips and push her away to get a good look.

“Jackie,” she offers by way of explanation. Bless Jackie and her influence over Elizabeth’s wardrobe. I’m not sure which I appreciate more, that black dress or my jersey.

Turning my attention to Devin, I give him a quick fist-bump.

“Thanks for coming, man. You heading to the after-party with us?” I ask him as I wrap my arm around Elizabeth. He never comes, says it isn’t his scene, but I always extend the invite anyway.

Elizabeth answers before he can. “After-party? It’s kind of late. I was just planning on going home.”

No way is she weaseling out of this one. I played an awesome fucking game and I’m in the mood to celebrate. And I want her by my side while I do.

“Oooooh, no, you don’t. You owe me after ripping my curtains off the wall,” I tell her with a teasing grin.

Devin gives us both a confused look. Elizabeth doesn’t seem the destructive drunk type, but, alas, my wall tells a different story.

“Don’t worry, we can pretend you aren’t invited if that makes you more comfortable,” I chide her, earning me a playful slap on the shoulder.

“Princess!” Montgomery’s voice booms across the field, souring my mood. “Glad you could make it.”

I move to confront him, but Elizabeth holds me back, clinging to my side.

“I’m glad I made it too,” she chirps before turning to me and adding, “You were amazing out there tonight.”

Monte chuckles. “Yeah, you really know how to take a pounding, Jacobs.” He winks at Elizabeth.

I’m going to end this fucker. Right here. Right now.

With more precision than the finest surgeon, Elizabeth tells him, “Jealousy isn’t attractive. Seems the rumors are true.” She looks over at Devin and with mock pity deadpans, “Giant ego. Tiny penis. Couldn’t make a woman come with both hands and a map where G marks the spot.” Devin nods with a smile and I can’t hold back a laugh, pulling Elizabeth tighter against me. Turning back to Monte, whose jaw is in the dirt and eyes are wide with shock, she adds, “Word of advice—you can either be an asshole or be shit at sex. Not both. A man has to have some redeeming quality, after all. Now, if you will excuse us, we have celebrating to do and an after-party to attend.”

With a hair-toss and defiant strut, Elizabeth makes a grand exit leaving Devin, Montgomery and me dumbstruck. So long Dr. Timid. Ms. Feisty just gives me a raging hard-on.

* * * *