More Than a Game
The Kings of Kroydon Hills
Bella Matthews
Copyright © 2021
Bella Matthews
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in the critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This book contains mature themes and is only suitable for 18+ readers.
ASIN: B08P28D8J2
Editor: Liana Brooks Editing Services
Copy Editor: Red Pen Editing
Cover Designer: Furious Fotog, Golden Czermak
Interior Formatting: Peachy Keen Author Services
Real Queens fix each other’s crowns.
Kelly & Dena ~ I write strong female friendships because I ground them in ours.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Lao Tzu
Contents
Playlist
1. Murphy
2. Sabrina
3. Murphy
4. Murphy
5. Sabrina
6. Murphy
7. Sabrina
8. Murphy
9. Sabrina
10. Murphy
11. Murphy
12. Sabrina
13. Murphy
14. Sabrina
15. Sabrina
16. Murphy
17. Sabrina
18. Murphy
19. Sabrina
20. Murphy
21. Sabrina
22. Murphy
23. Sabrina
24. Murphy
25. Sabrina
26. Murphy
27. Sabrina
28. Murphy
29. Sabrina
30. Murphy
31. Murphy
32. Murphy
33. Sabrina
34. Murphy
35. Sabrina
36. Murphy
37. Sabrina
38. Murphy
39. Sabrina
40. Murphy
41. Sabrina
42. Murphy
43. Sabrina
44. Murphy
45. Sabrina
46. Murphy
47. Murphy
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Stay Connected With Bella
What’s Next?
Also by Bella Matthews
Playlist
• “Paint the Town Green” – The Script
• “Everybody Talks” – Neon Trees
• “The Times They Are-A-Changin” – Fort Nowhere
• “Someone To You” - BANNERS
• “Best Day Of My Life” American Authors
• “Back Home” – Andy Grammer
• “Be Okay” – Oh Honey
• “Cherry Wine - Live” - Hozier
• “Fire and the Flood” – Vance Joy
• “Come On Get Higher” – Matt Nathanson
• “She Sets The City On Fire” – Gavin DeGraw
• “I’m Born To Run” – American Authors
• “When We Were Young” – The Killers
• “Closer” – Kings of Leon
• “Pony” – Ginuwine
• “Renegades” – X Ambassadors
• “Crazy Love” – Van Morrison
• “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Ingrid Michaelson
You can find the play list on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/39k4Umq
1
Murphy
“Murphy, are you listening to me? I’m pregnant.”
Not a phrase I thought I’d be hearing tonight.
“Yeah, Murphy, harder.” Or, “Just like that, Murphy.”
Those are the kinds of things I expect to hear when I’m alone in my bedroom with a hot girl. I don’t get too picky about who the words are coming from. Big tits, nice ass, and I’m sold. Short, tall, blonde, brunette, it all works for me. I’m an equal opportunity kind of guy, and I’m all about ensuring everyone involved has a good time. But I’m also a no-strings-attached type of guy.
I’ve got my friends.
I’ve got football.
If I play the next few years right, I have the possibility of a career in the pros, if I decide that’s what I want.
What I don’t have is a girlfriend, or wife, or the ability to take care of myself, let alone a baby. I’m a good cook, but I hate food shopping. I go commando more days than not because I don’t have clean underwear. My roommates and I moved into this house in July, and they’ve been up my ass about leaving dishes in the sink ever since. I like to live in the here and now and not worry about next week, month, or year.
The girl standing in my room is a knockout. Trina’s gotta be five-ten, with blonde hair, blue eyes, legs a mile long, and double D’s that don’t bounce when she moves. She was one of the first girls I hooked up with after we moved in.
We threw a lot of parties in July. Football practice at Kroydon University hadn’t officially started yet, and we were enjoying the freedom that came with our own place. That entire month kinda blends together. Trina was at the first or second party we threw. Maybe it was closer to August.
Fuck. I can’t even remember exactly when we hooked up.
What I do remember is she was extra bendy and extra adventurous. Shit, now I’m at half-mast just thinking about it.
“Murphy, are you listening to me?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I zoned out for a second there, almost forgetting why Trina pulled me into my bedroom in the first place tonight. Sitting down on the bed, I take my green ball cap off and run my fingers through my hair before replacing it. I cringe at my next words because, deep down, I don’t want to know the answer.
“Are you sure you’re pregnant, Trina?”
“Oh my fucking God, Murphy! It’s Tessa, you ass. Not Trina! Why am I surprised? I come here to tell you that I’m pregnant and you don’t even remember my name. Well, listen up, asshole. You had better get your shit together because I peed on two damn sticks today, and they both showed plus signs. I haven’t had my goddamn period in two months, and I will not go home and tell my parents that some asshole who doesn’t even know my name knocked me up. I have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday with a gynecologist in the city. I wanted you to come with me because I haven’t told anyone else. I don’t need this getting out there and getting back to my family.”
She throws a piece of paper at me. “Sober the fuck up and meet me at that address at four on Tuesday.”
She starts walking out the door, and before I think better of it, I put my foot in my mouth one last time. “I’ve got practice Tuesday afternoon.”
The instant rage that overtakes that pretty face has me remembering an episode of Animal Planet. A gorgeous, sleek jaguar looked docile and content, until it decided to eat its prey and bite through its fucking skull.
Through. Its. Skull.
I think I’m about to get my head pierced.
Fuck.
“Figure. It. Out. Murphy.” Storming
