Away Games

The Brat & The Beast #2.5

by Misha Horne

One step forward… and then what?

When you live your whole life just wishing for things to be good enough, suddenly having everything you ever dreamed about is pretty unsettling. Safety, security, love… not the senior year I expected.

Coach T calling me into his office, talking about untapped potential, didn’t see that coming either. He seems to think I’m a brand new guy on the field, and honestly, he might be right.

My future is starting to feel a lot more intense, and I’m not sure I’m ready for any of this. Fortunately, ignoring reality is one of my greatest skills.

At least until my Daddy finds out.


Spend some extra time with Logan and Caleb as they navigate their new relationship and plan for the future in this 35k follow up novella.

This series should be read in order, starting with Hurt Me, Daddy.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Romance, BDSM, Sports Romance, Novella, Contemporary

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Misha Horne (they/them) is a queer kinky author of queer, kinky, character-driven romance. Expect lots of steam, snark, and spanking.

Reviews

[Mariam, · Rating 4 out of 5]

The devotion daddy Caleb has for Logan made me clutch my heart at 5 am and sob in my pillow at his perfectioness. (4.5★)

reread 1: aug 7, 2023
→ Caleb wins. Every single time.

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Yeah. Exactly. And now I'm not. Now I'm out of that, and I just want to be happy. And you make me happy. Taking care of you makes me happy. I'm not bullshitting when I say that." He leaned a little closer, made sure I was paying attention before he continued, making the words gentle and firm and clear. "And I fucking love you, you brat. Nothing as simple as college is going to keep me from spending every second I possibly can with you. You are mine. Everything you deserve. We both are. And we're going to do it together."

i love them sm 😭❤️

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Caleb and Logan so much! I would read anything about these two.

Logan just makes my heart hurt and Caleb is just 🥰

Excited for more books in the Sharks world, and I can't wait to revisit Caleb and Logan in the future!

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

A perfectly lovely, steamy and fun (and just a smidge angst) way to conclude Logan and Caleb's story. Misha Horne is one of the only authors who can make me love the Daddy/boy trope. I'm not usually a fan of Daddy books (I'm always hopeful I'll love them, but then the cheese gets too much and I end up feeling like it knocks me out of the story), but Misha writes the trope in a way that is perfect for me.
They manage to blend in kinky, spanky steam and gut-wrenching angst, dirty talk and heart-stopping romance, and it's always a joy to read their books.
I enjoyed this novella, although there was a smidge too much football for my confused European brain, but I loved all Caleb and Logan scenes, and Ellis and Walker too: their banter, the tension... I'm so damned excited for their book.

[Celine Ong]

not to be make everything about the gay firefighter show but i just keep thinking
"that fire was a beast."
"so are you."

[Bree | breesoleilreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly not the most important thing I took from this book but….I truly love how much this bad boy turned good boy loves being spanked 👀 Along with the fact that he’s starting to feel like it’s okay to feel that way?! Oh I was eating that shit up!!! Caleb just continues to be the perfect man. Logan continues to be my damaged, hurt, emotionally stunted but really trying to do better lil baby. The fact that he’s learning how to trust because he finally has someone who would never let him down and shows up for him every time even when he’s the brattiest brat to ever brat is really not making me cry I swear 🥹 I truly will gobble a story like this every time, I just love Misha Horne’s writing. She truly just knows how to make the story feel honest. I hope she keeps writing more stories about Caleb and Logan 💕

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bonus novella after 'Hurt Me Daddy' and 'Comfort Me Daddy'.

I loved it.
I am obsessed with Logan and Caleb right now.
There was also a link to a bonus short story to follow up.
I really hope she gives us more of this series, whether another book, or more shorts.
Also, am I the only one that totally ships Walker and Ellis? I might be, but oh well. I'd love to see them get together.

[Rin (indefinite hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 87% because there’s another goddamn spanking.

I don’t know why I bothered. About 5% of this is plot and relationship furthering and the rest is football games/practices, hanging out with football buddies, endless internal dialogue and fucking spankings. My god.

I’m pissed because I want Logan’s HEA but getting there is impossible. The BS I have to slog through to get there is exhausting.

[ancientreader]

Caleb and Logan are as endearing as ever, but I can't wrap my head around the idea of encouraging anyone, much less someone you love, to shoot for a career in professional football. I would have enjoyed this coda to the Brat & Beast duet if Logan had realized that his intelligence mattered as much as his sports-related talent and hard work, and had decided to channel his strengths toward academics instead. Away Games left me sad and worried; no star rating.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read about Logan and Caleb forever.
please just keep giving us novellas and shorts endlessly.

[Cindaren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 8/25/2023 still five stars, freakin love Caleb and Logan
________________________
I cannot express how much I love Logan and Caleb. I'm so freakin invested, I loved this book and I still want more. My favorite trope is nerd/jock, everyone who knows me knows this. My boyfriend, my grown kids, my sisters. I love it. Daddy/boy is my second favorite, with or without spanking, so Logan and Caleb are literally like if I commissioned books specifically for me. You've got the hottest, spiciest sex scenes, sweet romance, Caleb building up Logan after all he's gone through, and revealing a tiny bit of his own pain. It's literally everything. I want to know what happens with Walker and Ellis, and if Logan makes it to the NFL, I want to know everything that happens in this world. I even want to know if Riggs sticks with Ally. If Logan's Mom and Mike ever get busted for anything, if Caleb is able to deal with his own trauma from his parents essentially abandoning him. Ugh these books are so good!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I was on the verge of a reading slump, and luckily I managed to avoid it with this glorious series. It was the second read through of all 3 for me, and they remain my absolute favourite of Misha Horne's work. I'd happily read about Logan and Caleb forever. There's something so heartwarming about the trilogy... reading about Logan gathering the courage to hope after everything he's been through was everything. These two are end goals.

god he made me feel so goddamn desirable. Not just hot, like any idiot could see, but essential, and fuck, that was a good feeling when you’d spent your whole life feeling discarded. No guy had ever made me feel all big-emotions just by licking up under my pecs, but he wasn’t just any guy.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and sexy update to this series, and it was fun to see more of these two. I didn't love the plot, because one of the things I actually liked about the first two books was that Logan was decent at and enjoyed football, but didn't plan on going pro and was just using it as a way out of his town. The switch here to suddenly wanting to make more of a career out of it didn't totally work for me, but I didn't absolutely hate it, either.

[Amur Thera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good
    + Forehead kisses!
    + Caleb thriving on taking care of Logan
    + Logan's improved physical and mental health
    + Caleb taking care of all of Logan's injuries
    + Logan's whole team being jealous Logan has such a great boyfriend
    + Caleb's willingness to follow Logan anywhere
    + Logan unashamedly checking himself out in every mirror he encounters
    + The absolute trust between them
    + Caleb's attempted seduction of Logan in football gear, and how much they laughed together


The neutral
    o Maybe I don't hate Ellis anymore, but he's definitely not my favorite. I do hope Walker gets his own HEA
    o I know Logan liked football, but I actually thought that now that he was more settled with Caleb it had become more like a hobby than an obsession. This sudden interest in high-level or even professional football came out of left field for me. (I googled this phrase, hoping that maybe I made a football reference while talking about football. Turns out that phrase comes from baseball. I am very disappointed...)


The bad
    - Logan's coach was a very bad coach (seriously, the way he treated Logan back when he was malnutritioned was dangerous as fuck, and what he did while knowing about Logan's home situation in the second book was even worse), but he got exactly what he wanted with zero effort yet again


Quotes

    He scowled, just straight vicious against all my injuries, like how dare they hurt me.

I'd read another dozen stories about Logan and Caleb and I still wouldn't get tired of them. These guys are the best. Would definitely recommend the original duology and I think this installment is a satisfying and entertaining extra read.

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, fun little novella, Devoured within 3hrs, ASAP as it got released. Getting back in touch with Logan & Caleb! (You should read their duet 1st, it's worth it!) We get daddy kink (Ya know, it's the sweetest when it's hard won😉) at last chapter but gosh, they're so cute. & Hot. Love em!

Logan is finally getting the opportunities in football he deserves, but has a hard time believing that he's earned them...Until Daddy Caleb shows him he does! I love their relationship (Give me a Caleb of my own!) & Locker room sexy times 🤤. They're high school seniors, so much ahead of them. They deserve their HEA & I'm excited to see what's in their futures. Do wonder who'll get a book next, hopefully Ellis or Walker!

Story ratings:
POV: Single POV (Logan's)
1) The Characters & world: 4.8/5
2) The feels: 😆🤫🧐😘🥰✨🤤😉🤭
3) Story flow & enjoyment: 5/5
4) Conflicts & twists: 3/5 (N.A. only 1 major)
5) Relationship: 5/5
6) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 2/5
7) Levels: Negligible angst, Low dark (PTSD) & sooo cute!
8) Writing style & grammar: 4.8/5

FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww, I love these guys!

I was pretty content with things at the end of book two, but I’m so thrilled these guys got more page time! They’re so perfect together, and it’s wonderful to see Logan start to blossom and have hope now that Caleb is on his side.

Can’t wait for Ellis and Walker!

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read #2 on 12/9/25

These books fuck so hard. 5 stars. I need more.

Pet names: baby, Daddy

Whoever I was, whoever I would be, could be, might be, I was always his.

I just want to be happy. And you make me happy. Taking care of you makes me happy. I’m not bullshitting when I say that.” He leaned a little closer, made sure I was paying attention before he continued, making the words gentle and firm and clear. “And I fucking love you, you brat. Nothing as simple as college is going to keep me from spending every second I possibly can with you. You are mine. And you are going to have everything you want. Everything you deserve. We both are. And we’re going to do it together.”

You deserve everything, Logan. Whatever it is you want, I am with you. All in. Whatever that means, wherever that means. I’m Team Logan forever.” Whatever the opposite of heartbreak is, I think it happened then.

“You’re the fantasy, Logan,” he whispered, kissing my neck, tickling my ear, bending me forward just a little more. “The uniform is just a sexy as fuck bonus. It’s always been you.”

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Safety (may contain spoilers)

SA/rape: None

Other person drama: None

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lovely seeing these guy again and I can't wait for Logan's friends to fall in love, us to see Logan and Caleb more and just to keep seeing small portions of their life together! <3

One final gray quote for today:

"Look at that naughty little boy," he said, his voice already turning rough, and I stared at our reflection in the closet doors - him still fully dressed, rocking my favorite of all his gray sweaters, and me naked except for my ass absolutely slamming in tight white shorts."

NSFW infos:
- locker room scene
- temperature play (ice cubes, there was vanilla ice cream in the previous one)
- spanking (ofc)

[Lb [worlds longest slump] · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
I feel like this novella was sort of unnecessary.
Was it bad? No.
Did it add much of anything to the story, tho? Not really.

This would have slapped really hard if it was set further into the future. If this was set at graduation? Slay. If this was set during college? Slay. If it had an epilogue of them as adults? SLAY.

BUT INSTEAD we get a third instalment that is ALSO within 3 months of the first books happening. I can forgive the first two books for being based on a needlessly short timeframe but here I had just sort of had enough. I don't think a couple of months is enough time to fairly show the amount of relationship development we're supposed to believe happens between these two.

I want to know it lasts!!! I want to see Logan in the NFL!! I want to see them graduate! I want to see Logan get drafted!! But, nada.

It just felt unnecessary.

Anyway whatever. I am convinced that Ellis and Walker are in love and I think they should have their own book. That's it, tysm.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALL THE GOOD THINGS. ALL OF THEM. Besties. Romance. Stability. A promising future.

Logan and Caleb are life.
Riggs and Ally took up about one page but i found them endearing and hilarious.
Walker and Ellis 👀👀👀👀

[TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ✨

Super cute and sweet. This didn’t have quite as much of a spark for me as the second book, but still enjoyed revisiting this world and characters!

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

For once in my life, I had everything I wanted, I was happy exactly like I was and this sudden Time to find out what you’re really capable of was a lot of pointless pressure I wasn’t interested in. Even if there might have been a sharp little knot pulling tight under my ribs that said otherwise.

After finishing Comfort Me, Daddy, I decided to give a little space from the series before returning to read Away Games, and I'm super pleased with this decision! It was like coming home to check on two of my favorite guys and see how they were managing in their HEA.

“Just gonna come apart in my hands, aren’t you, tough guy?”

This book was all around great - great spice, great relationship dynamics, great supporting characters and story backdrop. I adore Logan and Caleb! I was pleased with the author still giving Logan a layer of trauma he was working through rather then just giving us a sunshine and rainbows epilogue. While I'm sad to leave these guys behind, I am excited to see what else Misha Horne has to offer!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book that follows after The Brat & Beast Duet, we see that everyone on Logan's football team has noticed his weight/muscle gain and that he seems to be playing better on the field. His coach also informs him that he doesn't want him to see his potential wasted and it gives him something to think about.

Logan doesn't know how to tell Caleb (his completely understanding Daddy) because he thinks that he doesn't deserve anything due to how he was raised and the lack of anyone truly caring about him before Caleb came along.

But, of course, if you've read the previous two books, then you ALREADY know that Caleb is VERRRRRY understanding in all the ways.

Now I definitely need to know Walker or Ellis' stories next!

[Sarawat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

Honestly, it's a pretty good conclusion to the Duet.

One thing I've noticed in the first book already though, Misha Horne's writing style is so conversational(?). I honestly don't know if it because I'm not a first person girly, but something about their writing style makes it like they're talking to me 😭 like Logan and I are walking together and he's telling me what happened 😭 I don't know if I'm the only one seeing it but it didn't bother me it was just something I had to get used to 😭

If a Walker and Ellis book comes out, I'll be in the front of the line. Don't worry about that 😌

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re the only one,” I said, reaching out to touch his face, smiling when he kissed my hand. “You’re everything.”

Excuse me while I die in the corner from happy. I read all three books back to back. If there were three more I'd read them too. I became addicted to just knowing how Beast & his Brat were doing everyday. This novella was hot af and sweet af. A must read with the series💙

Also, Ellis is hilarious! When are we getting his book? Does anyone know if Ellis & Walker are still getting a book? I need Ellis' book badly.

[Ariadna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/3 of this novella is abt football (many practices, discussion of strategies, and a couple of play-by-play game narrations.) The last chapter is all Logan/Caleb getting busy followed by a quick discussion abt their future.

It seriously read like a draft for the 2nd book's epilogue that the author ended up discarding.

The worst part is that the blurb makes it sound like it's set around graduation time, but no, this novella happens only a few months after the end of Book 2. So not THAT far ahead in Caleb and Logan's lives.

TL;DR: No idea who this novella is for since it didn't add anything to the duology and it was mostly abt football (no, like, seriously, football is THE main topic here). Which as a non-sports girlie it made me 🙄. I truly don't see the point of this novella. The only reason why I was able to finish it is cuz it's barely over 100 pages long.

I borrowed this book from KU.

[Lauri MissDysfunktion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Away Games is a novella in The Brat and the Beast series.

This is your vibe if you like
Daddy/Brat
Hurt/comfort vibes
Spanking
Jock/Tutor

This was a great way to end this series. A little bit more of their relationship while still continuing the overall story plot.

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4
Steam: 3

[Vini · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuteeeeee

[Britin71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vraiment une petite trilogie sympa, sexy as hell 🔥 et qui m’a fait passer un très chouette moment 💗