He paces around the room, hands on his hips, still covered in sweat and filth from practice. He keeps running his hands through his hair before finally clasping them together and resting them on the top of his head. He keeps fidgeting as he walks."Do ye know what that's like?" he finally says. "Standing in the locker room in the middle of all my teammates. Teammates who have all fucked my girlfriend?"I reel back like I've been slapped. I knew he was upset when I let him in. Just the fact that he was still in his practice clothes was an indicator he had left early for some reason. But I never imagined it had anything to do with me. And I never, ever imagined this topic would be coming up again. He's been the first one to say my past didn't matter. He was the one who said it made me who I am and he liked who I am. Apparently he lied."They've all seen the freckle on yer nipple. They all know what ye smell like and taste like and what ye look like when you come." My face feels like it's
I fucked up. I fucked up so bad.I told her she was worth more than that. That she wasn't just an object for someone's pleasure. That she was letting herself be disrespected. And then I treated her like a groupie whore.And I hate myself for it."What are you still doing out here, Rookie?"I look over at the sound of Daniel's voice. He and Christian are headed my direction. Everyone else went straight to the locker room after practice except me. I decided to stay and do some drills for my cross kick. It's not bad, but it's not as good as I want it to be. Plus, I have this whole mess with Tiffany on my mind so I have energy to burn right now. And I definitely don't want to be in close quarters with Shivel."Just doing a little extra practice," I say as I flip the ball up with my toe and catch it as they get closer."Three hours of drills and scrimmage wasn't enough for you?"I shrug. "I'm still keyed up. Might as well take advantage of it."Daniel squints at me, like he's assessing me.
The beat of the drums is almost deafening and it seems like there are more horns blaring than normal. Usually the sounds and smells and sights of the stadium invigorate me. The sea of red excites me. Gives me energy that I feed off of. Today it does nothing for me. Which really pisses me off because coming to see the Mutiny play has been a favorite pastime of mine for years. But Rowen ruined that when he came over and used my body like it's a marker piece on the game board all his friends are playing with. I haven't talked to Rowen in five days, despite his repeated calls and texts. I know he feels bad about our last interaction. I saw it on his face when I told him to leave. In the heat of the moment, he had no idea what an asshole he was being. I understand that. But it doesn't make it hurt any less. It doesn't change the way he made me feel. And how he made me feel is not okay. I made a decision a long time ago… my body is my own, but my feelings count for something, too. And that
The roar of the crowd should be invigorating to me. It's my first professional game as a starter.I was called into the coach's office when we got here and given the news. Shivel is out. I'm in. He's been traded to California for a couple of practice players that will be here next week. I'm pretty sure most of us would agree we got the better end of that trade.So I should be excited. Instead, my mind is everywhere except on the game ahead of me. Actually, that's not true. My mind is on a certain brunette that I'm praying I'll see in the stands today. Tiffany's been ignoring my calls and texts all week. Can't say I'm surprised. I wouldn't answer any of my calls, either. But I texted her that I had left tickets for her at the will call office."She'll be here," Christian says with a clap on my shoulder. We're waiting in the tunnel for our names to be called as the rest of the team runs through to the field. I nod in acknowledgement of his comment, but it doesn't make me any less anxio
I sit down in the red chair across from his, elbows on my knees, hands clasped. While I wouldn't change what I did, I've never been one to put anything before the job at hand. Especially when we're in the middle of a game. There's a strange amount of shame running through me even though I know I'd do it again if put in the same position.We sit in silence for what seems like hours. Finally, I look up. Coach is rocking back and forth in his chair, fingers steepled and resting on his lips. He's just looking at me. Not even staring. More like trying to get his thoughts in order before he lays into me. I'd rather him yell."Which is more important… the girl or the game?" I was expecting some harsh words but nothing could have prepared me for that question."W… what?" I stutter. I don't even know how to answer.He waves me off like this should be an easy question. "If you had to choose one and lose the other, which is more important?"I shake my head slightly. "I… I don't know how to answer
I swing the door open when he knocks. As hurt as I've been over the last several days, his public proclamation of love went a long way to heal some of those wounds. We still have some things to discuss, but risking his new starting position just to apologize to me tells me how serious he is."What the… what are you doing?" I ask. Rowen is standing in front of me holding flowers, helium balloons, a card, and what looks like a big box of chocolates. "You know it's not my birthday, right?"He gives me a sheepish smirk. "I wasn't really sure how to go about apologizing to you. So I may have gone a little overboard.""Ya think?""I wanted to cover all my bases."I grab him by the arm and pull him towards me. "Get in here." I slam the door behind us and take the flowers from him. He follows me into the kitchen while I pull out the only vase I own. "How many games are you suspended for?""Just two," he says as puts all his presents on the counter. "And a five thousand dollar fine."I grimace.
The feel of her rubbing up against me wakes me up. It takes a second to remember where I am. But then I feel the warm body snuggled up next to me, I breathe in the scent of her hair, and it all comes back to me. And I smile."Why are you rubbing your ass against my cock?" I say into her hair, refusing to move."Why are you rubbing your cock against my ass?" she replies."I wasn't. I woke up because you're turning me on."I feel, rather than see, her smile. "In my defense, when I woke up, I had your morning wood poking into my backside. It was really sexy."I chuckle and then sigh. "What time is it?"She lifts her head to look at the clock. "Six-thirty.""I can't believe we fell asleep so early last night.""I can. I didn't sleep very well for close to a week. I was tired."I hold her tighter against me. "I'm so sorry, babe.""Stop, Rowen. It's over. I wanna move on.""Okay. What time do you have to be at work?""Not until one-thirty. You?""Eight."She raises her head and tries to twis
"Good afternoon, Caleb," I say, a very relaxed smile on my face. It may have been a few hours ago, but there is definitely something to say about oral sex starting the day off right."Hey, Tiffany. You have fun at the soccer game last night?" He looks over at me slyly as I grab my mail out of my box."I take it you saw the clip?""Everyone saw the clip." He swivels his chair to look at me. "It's only been running on ESPN for the last eighteen hours.""Well I guess that's one way to put myself on the radar over there.""I guess it's after the soccer game that is responsible for the big smile on your face?""Caleb," I say with a quirk of my eyebrow. "That is none of your business.""Oh, come on. I didn't even know you were dating the guy and all the sudden he's jumping into the stands to make out with you in the middle of the game?" His true journalist instincts are showing, but right now, I'm keeping my mouth shut."Let it go, Caleb.""Can't do that Tiffany.""Yes you can. Or else…""Or