The Sweetest Game
Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: September 8th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Sports
Hopelessly in love with my best friend’s brother.
That’s what it will say on my tombstone. Here lies Junior “June” Dorsey. Tomboy. Car lover. Bookworm. She suffered from a severe case of unrequited love syndrome.
It’s not like I haven’t tried liking other guys. I have. It’s just none of them measure up to him.
Baylor O’Brien. Beautiful. Cocky. Talented (on the field and in the bedroom—or so I’ve heard).
And completely oblivious to my love for him.
When Bay asks for my help, I can’t say no. He needs my PR expertise to revamp his reputation and up his chances of being scouted after one scout—the one he really wants—dismisses him as nothing more than a party-loving playboy.
When he asks me to be his fake girlfriend, I accept his proposal.
But how am I supposed to act like I’m in love without revealing the truth? And why is Baylor so good at pretending?
One thing I know that’s true:
All’s fair in love and baseball.
Wish me luck,
June
This new adult sports romance features two friends destined to become lovers, one sizzling fake romance, and a sexy set of brothers guaranteed to make you swoon.
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EXCERPT:
After the other girls walked away, I’d opened my mouth to speak, to tell her she was brilliant, a miracle worker, the best buffer ever, but when Sunshine turned around the scowl on her face stopped me. She took my hand and started walking. She didn’t stop until we were in the kitchen where she opened the door to the pantry, pulled me inside, closed the door and crossed her arms.
“Sunshine, I can explain,” I said, but she held up a hand.
“True or false,” she said, “you’ve been with those girls before.”
“False,” I said. “One hundred percent false. They tried in the past, but I’ve never taken them to bed.”
“But you’ve taken others.”
I shrugged helplessly. “You know the answer to that.”
“True or false, you wanted to go with them just now.”
“False.”
“True or false”—she cocked her head to the side—”you told people I was off limits.”
I stared into her eyes then said, “True.”
She put one hand on her hip, used the other to poke me in the chest. “What were you thinking, Bay?”
“I just wanted to keep you safe.”
Her laughter was cold. “As if I’d need you to do that.”
I was starting to get a little pissed now. “You do need me. You have no idea what guys can be like. Most of my teammates are decent, but none of them is good enough for you.”
“I think I could’ve determined that on my own.”
“You don’t even know when a guy wants you. Take Seaver.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What about him?”
“He was hitting on you at the garage.” She scoffed, but I kept going. “Seriously, Sunshine. Guys are jerks.”
“You mean like you?”
“Yes,” I said, taking a step closer. “I am a jerk. But I’m a jerk who cares for you. Deeply.”
She shook her head. “You told them I was off limits.”
“Yeah.”
“And what made you think you had the right to do that?”
“I had every right,” I said.
“Oh really, why?”
“Because you were mine.”
I took a step closer, watching her eyes flare.
“You are mine,” I said.
The reality of my words didn’t hit me until a few moments later. I didn’t know how to take it back, wasn’t sure I wanted to.
“Bay,” she said, and I looked down into her eyes, “are you ever going to kiss me again?”
I swallowed. Suddenly, I realized I wanted that more than anything. “I guess as your love coach I probably should.”
She nodded.
“It’ll give you some practice for that asshole you have a crush on.”
“He’s not an asshole,” she said. “Though he can be a jerk sometimes.”
“I hate him,” I said vehemently.
My words hit her lips. We were that close now.
She swallowed. “How will I know if someone wants me?”
Her words distracted me from the all-consuming hatred I felt toward her crush, and I forced a grin.
“He’ll probably try to get real close,” I said. “Like this.”
Her breath came faster as I pressed my body to hers.
“He’ll also compliment you, say things to make you laugh, just to see you smile.” My hand went to her face, fingers resting on her lips. “You’ve got a great one of those, Sunshine.”
“What else?” she asked.
“He’ll look at you like you’re the only girl in the world.”
I met her eyes.
“If he’s smart, he’ll realize he’ll never measure up.”
She took a shuddering breath when my hand moved into her hair.
“But that won’t stop him from trying.”
I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore. I just knew I had to taste those lips.
“If he really wants you, then you’ll be able to feel it. In every look, touch, kiss, that he gives you. It’ll be there.”
“Oh,” she breathed.
“That’s how you’ll know.”
“I think I’m ready for you to kiss me now.”
“As you wish, Sunshine,” I said.
My lips came down on hers, and heat burst to life between us. The spark I’d felt before was nothing to now. This was fire. Pure fire. I had Sunshine in my arms, and she was burning me up. And I loved every second of it.
Cookie O'Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, and FAUXMANCE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances, The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, and The Sweetest Game.
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