The Gamble: A Novel (31 page)

The kiss is interrupted by Kellar's voice. “Glad you made up.”

Our lips part and I move my body to lean like hers.

Cock blocked. Guess I deserve that for sucking for the first three quarters of the game.

“Figured there was a reason you were playing like shit today.”

I shrug. “Kinda fucked up...”

“Kinda?” Alexxa croaks.

“Royally.”

To my surprise, Kellar smirks and adjusts his gym bag. “We've all been there. Trust me. It's not an accident my dad named this place after my mom.”

“Your dad owns this place?” I question, slightly surprised he's never mentioned it previously.

He nods, but Alexxa states, “Wow. How bad did he screw up to have to name a
building
after her?”

“A franchise,” Kellar corrects on a chortle.

“See,” I playfully nudge her. “I could've fucked up much worse.”

She pins me with a glare.

Wrong thing huh? Shit. Well, I'm not naming my company after her!

Kellar lets out a loud laugh and pulls out his keys. “I'm gonna go before she murders you.”

“Good call,” Alexxa agrees.

“Good game, Kellar.”

“You too, Larson,” he says. A couple steps away he turns back around. “Hey, Megan's been asking about the four of us hanging out again. You two up for that?”

“Yeah,” my girl answers and leans into my touch. I drape my arm around her shoulder. “Maybe something next week?”

Kellar nods. “I'll double check the calendar. I think she's got some bachelorette party to attend or some shit next weekend, but other than that we should be good.”

“Just send Luca a text.”

He gives a wave and finishes the path to his car.

I cock a smile. “Double dating means,
we're
dating again. You do know that?”

She lets out a defeated sigh. “You're such a pain in the ass.”

“But you love me.”

Alexxa's sparkling brown eyes peer up at me. “Because you love me.”

“And I'll never fucking stop.”

My lips softly descend onto hers, stealing a beautiful whimper.

I'm a Larson. We always get the woman we love, even if we fuck up majorly in the process.

Epilogue

Alexxa

“This is a set up,” I deny, refusing to get out of the car.

“How is this a set up? I want you to meet my parents.”

“Yeah.” My head snaps to him. “Hence, set up.”

“What could I possibly be setting you up for?”

“A break- up?”

Luca tilts his head at me sarcastically. “You think I've worked this hard to rebuild things with you just to break up?”

He really has. On one hand, he's still my favorite laid back, sports driven asshole who thinks it's funny to let the dog lick up his spilled beer, but on the other hand, he's been making a huge effort to do 'the boyfriend duties' as he calls them. Planning dates, single and double. Helping make dinner with me and walk the dog. He even attends her training classes calling her 'ours' rather than mine. Trust isn't what it once was, but I think in time it'll be even better. The sex sure is, which is a fucking mind warp. I thought I love you sex took the cake, but it turns out 'I love you, I'm sorry sex' is infinitely better. 'I love you please don't make me do the dishes' sex is a close contender.

“Besides it's Thanksgiving. Who breaks up with a chick on a holiday?”

I roll my eyes.

See. Same old Luca.

“And who breaks up with a chick when they just got the final investor for his company and can't wait to celebrate?”

Luca's father apparently set him up with some investors who were enthralled with the unique idea. Four of the six immediately said yes while the fifth took time to crunch more figures, giving Luca the final yes earlier this week. He hasn't told his parents because he wanted me by his side when he did. Yeah. It's pretty much like 'Hey mom and dad, who apparently rekindled their marriage, my biggest goal is being reached and oh yeah, here's the girl I'm currently fucking.' Okay so maybe not word for word...

He lightly laughs and folds his fingers with mine. “Baby, you're just nervous.”

“Ya think?”

“Hey, I was nervous when I met your parents.”

“You were only nervous because my dad hates your favorite football team and you were worried there was going to be a brawl over it.”

It was just a random night of the week dinner. Nothing special. Nothing like a fucking holiday! Thank goodness for that too. All of my sisters, their husbands, and my nieces appear at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. It immediately becomes suffocating. It's one reason I said yes to doing the holidays with Luca's family instead.

“True. But there wasn't and your mother
loves
me.”

“She'd love you less if she knew you were torturing her youngest daughter.”

“Now meeting my parents is torture?”

“Yes!” Quickly I try again, “No! I don't know! I've never met a boyfriend's parents before.”

“And I had never met a girlfriend's parents before!” Luca lets out a deep sigh, “Look, we're both still new to most of this shit, right? The important thing is we do it together. Like teammates.”

I tease, “Does everything have to be a sports reference? Can we get a food reference every once in a while?”

“My mom's making her famous enchiladas,” he tempts. “You know you can't say no to those.”

“Ooo, you do know your opponent.”

“Teammate,” he reiterates. “We go in like a team.”

“What if they hate me?”

With an unlock of the car doors he says, “They probably wanna give you a medal for taking me back after the stunt I pulled.”

I do deserve a medal.

“Come on.” He lets go of my hand and we get out of the car. The two of us link back up the minute we have a chance. “There's no reason to be this nervous. Nothing in the world could take me away from you.”

Fighting the urge to coo over his sweet words, I state, “You have to stop watching She's All That. You're starting to sound a little too Freddie Prinze Jr. for my taste.”

He chuckles and tugs me in closer. “Oh, you like when I'm an asshole?”

“No.”  I give him a wink. “I love it...”

Which is crazy I know, but that's the thing about Luca. Yeah, he made a mistake when he turned me into some sort of sick game to win, but he never stopped being who he was. He didn't suddenly pretend to love opera or Oprah because he thought it's what I wanted. He's always just been himself even when he was busy trying to win me over. I guess when you think about it, both of us took a gamble letting our guard down for the one another. In a way I like to think we both won something with the bet. He won the girl and I won the chance to see the part of him he was too afraid to show without a reason. Any way you look at it, love is a gamble. The real question is, are you willing to place a bet?

Did you enjoy Luca and Alexxa? If you have time, I would love for you to leave a review!

Thank Yous!

Crazy Lady- You better be resting!

Her Husband- Hope you're watching T.V.

Sissy B- Thank you for working for food, hahahaha. (At least for now)

The Lumberjack- I promise I'll probably always sound words out as I spell, lol

The Law Student- Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Katniss- Can you believe how far we've come?

Throwback- You rock so hard...

The Real Life Erin- Hoping we have more time together soon and that you fell for Luca as hard as I hoped you would.

Dallas Angie- Love our lunches!

Boss Lady- Here we are...still kicking ass and taking name. Love you.

Genie- What in the world would I do without you?

The Editor- Soooooo love when you start working on a new project with me! Gives me the happiest giggles.

The PAs- Left and Right brain, buckle up because it's about to get crazzzyyyyy!

Marketing Guru- I see you over there....reading this....lol xoxo always.

Dream Team- You ladies hold it down big time!

Jamie R.- You woman are fantastic and I'm so glad to have you around.

Kerry S.- You lady, my across the pond beauty, have a piece of my heart. Hope you know that. Give digger kisses and send the boys my love.

Randy S- For the awesome photo and more importantly for the AWESOME friendship. You are amazing, your work is amazing, and your spirit is amazing. Never forget you've got a fan in this girl.

Bob G. - You look damn hot on the cover, hahaha. But in all seriousness, thank you for this moment in your career and I sincerely wish you huge success and happiness.

When I Grow Up- To all the authors out there who I follow, who help me, who have supported me from a share, to advice, I cannot possibly thank you enough, but damn sure will never stop trying.

Bloggers- You are the heroes and I'll never forget that or take it for granted. Thank you for everything you do for me.

Readers- You are the reason I get to wake up in the morning and do what I love most in the world. Every time you read something from me, you take a piece of my soul, and I hope you know how much I appreciate you and love you.

Until next time....

Curious about Dean and Megan? They have their own standalone story too!

Mollify (A Senses Series Novel)

Dean "Mr. O" Kellar has been following closely in the footsteps of his famous adopted father for years, but when Megan Davis pops back into his life suddenly he starts following him in a new light. She was the girl who saved Dean when they were children and the girl he needs to save now. Will the two of them be torn apart once more or will their hearts be allowed a chance to finally mollify?

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