Jenna

I'm walking down the hall, heading to a meeting, when suddenly, my shoe catches on something. I go flying forward and nearly hit the floor. Just in the nick of time, two strong arms grab me and pull me upright.

I peer up into the face of my savior. I'm both surprised and unsurprised when I see Tanner. I've been avoiding him up until this point, not knowing what to do after what happened at the karaoke bar that night. Neither of us says a word as we take each other in.

The look in Tanner's eyes is softer than usual. They aren't heavy with lust, but something else- adoration maybe. The yearning is still there, but it's almost like he's afraid of something. What in the world does he have to be scared of?

I know I can be headstrong and intimidating sometimes, but that's not what I'm emanating right now. No, right now, I feel like I'm giving off a come hither vibe, and I don't plan to stop it. His eyes drop down to my lips, and he wets his own. Do it. Please, do it.

His eyes shoot back up, and I feel like I'm drowning in their depths. He swallows hard, hesitating. Just when I think I'm about to cave and kiss him first, his lips come crashing against mine. It takes me aback at first, but within a split second, I'm meeting him at every stroke. Lips moving together, tongues dancing in and out. His hands cup my face, and I latch on to his biceps to hold myself steady.

Fuck yes!

The kiss becomes frantic and more passionate than I've ever experienced. I feel like I could burst. His arms drop, and I'm suddenly being lifted off the ground. My legs automatically wrap around him, and we become a tangled mess. I moan as he grips my ass hard. Fuck, I want him.

I pull back, debating my next move. That's when I hear it- something loud in the distance. What the hell is that?

I'm jolted awake by a knock on my door. It's Liam. "Hey, you alive in there? Your alarm has been going off for five minutes."

Dammit! "Uh, yeah. I'm alive. Sorry, Liam."

I shut off my alarm as Liam walks away, and I'm left trying to catch my breath and calm my heart rate. What the hell was that dream? I've had dreams about Tanner before, several actually, but they've never been like that- emotional and sweet. Usually, it's all hot and heavy, no room for emotions, but the look in his eyes, the nervousness. It reminded me of that night at the karaoke bar. There was something different about him that night. He seemed to drop his playboy exterior, and I saw something new in his eyes. It was almost like he cared- like he was terrified that something could have happened to me. That's the look he had in my dream.

I bury my face in my pillow and groan. I need to get a grip. I force myself out of bed and start getting ready for the day. All while trying to sort through the meaning of that damn dream. I'm still contemplating that when I run into Liam in the living room.

"Hey, Tay, can you get us some of the good protein bars? Russell keeps trying to unload those shitty ProteinMania ones on us." His face contorts into a look of disgust.

I don't blame Russell for trying to get rid of the bars from Max. They taste like ass. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't just thrown them all away. "Yeah, no problem. I'll bring some home tonight after work."

"Thanks, Tay! You're the best!" He gives me a quick smile as he and Chase head out.

I'm bustling around the kitchen, making my tea as Lins prepares her coffee. We start chatting about her plan to come clean to Liam about her relationship with Chase. Things between the lovebirds have been going so well. They've both told me how happy they are and that they can't wait to make their status public. They plan on telling Liam about them in a couple of days. The guys have a home game tomorrow, so they thought they'd wait until the following day to make their announcement.

Lins is still gushing over their garden rooftop date. I have to say, I'm impressed. Who knew Chase Smith, former manwhore, had such a huge romantic side? It's so sweet. I had no idea that such a place existed. Lins told me that he had snow-dusted trees, string lights, and a heated dome set up for them that housed a mountain of pillows. Chase paid the owners to set up candles and wine for them shortly before they arrived, so everything would be perfect.

It's easy to see that the two of them are falling fast. It almost brings a tear to my eye. After everything that she went through with her jerkoff ex-boyfriend, Lins deserves a happily ever after, and I think she may just find that with Chase. Who knows, if one former playboy can change, maybe there's hope for the others...

Where the hell did that thought come from? I can't possibly think Tanner Levine can change like that. Can I?

I shake the idea from my head- no sense in going down that rabbit hole. I'm still confused because of my dream this morning. There's no reason for me to fantasize about Tanner like that. He's not interested in anything serious, right?

After the whole creeper incident at the karaoke bar and Tanner's debut as my knight in shining armor, I told Lins about it. She was shocked, both because some creep was stalking me outside the women's restroom and the fact that Tanner was my hero that night.

She commented that Tanner's admiration of me finally paid off. It's no secret that he hits on me- a lot- so I've heard all the jokes from the guys on the team about 'T.J. and Taylor sittin in a tree...' or 'come on Tay, just give the guy a bone.' But when Lins puts it the way she does- that Tanner admires me- it makes my thoughts run rampant again.

Trying not to fall down the slippery slope, I say goodbye to Lindsey and head for work. On my way, I try not to think about the changes I've noticed in him over the last few weeks. Changes like the look in his eyes or the decrease in his cockiness. He hasn't been as arrogant as he used to be, and his expressions seem to have softened. It's like he's discovered this whole new set of emotions, and he's letting me sneak a peek at them. It's endearing.

~

Saturday rolls around, and it's game day. The team played a phenomenal game, and everyone showed up at the bar after to celebrate. The atmosphere is charged with amazing energy, and I feel like something big is going to happen.

I'm sipping my water and still trying to sort through my confusing thoughts on the Tanner front when something in the corner of my eye catches my attention. I see Lindsey come running out of the bathroom. She's crying.

What the hell?

Chase tries to talk to Lindsey and find out what's wrong, but she angrily pushes him away. Oh, no. Lins grabs her things and makes a beeline for the door. Liam and Chase start to go after her, but I stop them. I have a feeling she won't want to divulge anything to the guys right this second.

I grab my things and bolt after her. I just make it to the cab before she shuts the door behind her. I slide in next to her, and she crumbles against me. Her tears are gushing, and the sounds of her sobbing are breaking my heart. I want to ask what happened- to find out what's wrong, but I don't think she's in any state to tell me right now. Something in my gut tells me whatever this is has to do with Chase, and one way or another, I'll find out what it is.

~

I get Lindsey inside and get her settled in Liam's room. She's still sobbing and isn't saying much. After a while, she's calmed down enough to tell me she just wants to be alone. I tell her I'm here for her if she needs anything and leave the room.

I'm not surprised when I step into the living room, and I see Chase and Liam waiting expectantly. I tell them she hasn't told me what happened, and she just wants to be left alone for now. Liam insists on checking on her, so I let him after giving him a warning about trying to push her into talking when she's not ready.

Once Liam is out of earshot, I turn my attention to Chase. I have a hunch this has something to do with him. And in my current emotional state and everything confusing going on with Tanner, I unleash on him.

Maybe fairy tales don't exist. Perhaps no one actually gets a prince charming or a hero. If Chase caused this, maybe playboys don't really change, and I've just been lying to myself about what I've thought I've noticed in Tanner.

I really hope I'm wrong.