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
