I adjusted my backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Alright, then. Catch you fellas later.”
“Later,” Teddy said.
He turned back to the game as I walked into my bedroom.
Why did this woman have me so messed up in the head? Actually, both of them. Jocelyn and Brooke. Were they both secretly insane and trying to bring me down?
I stepped into the shower. None of it made any sense. Warm water washed over my body as I lathered up. Memories of fucking her came back to me.
And that blowjob. I bent down and made the water a bit cooler. To help get her out of my mind, I went through everything I needed to get done that day. If I skipped my morning run, I would have to work it in later. Classes and practice were essential too.
The more I thought about my busy life, the less I cared if Brooke was sleeping with Trey or anyone else. It might even turn out to be a good thing. Without her around, I would be able to concentrate on everything important in my life. Football would be my future.
After my shower, I got dressed and prepared to leave. Brooke called, but I ignored it, sending her to voicemail. She sent a short text, “I had fun last night, call me later,” but I didn’t respond to that either. To me, at least for the day, she didn’t exist anymore.
I left the house a changed man. No longer weighed down by a complex modern relationship with a woman who had a crazy person as a roommate, I might be able to more easily achieve my big dream – playing professional football.
Any team would make me happy. As I walked toward the Student Center food court, I went through my top five teams, wondering if I would be good enough in a couple years to get drafted by one of them. Dreams kept me motivated.
SIXTEEN
Austin
Later that afternoon, getting ready for practice in the locker room, she called again. Even if Jocelyn was lying about her, I had to get serious about football. Fucking around with her had been fun, but the time for games was over.
Trey pranced around the room like he owned the place. Big, fucking dumb lineman. He looked in my direction and nodded. Nah, he wouldn’t do that to me. Would he? Brooke had admitted to sharing a secret with him. Mother-fucker. I bet it’s true.
“What’s up, Austin,” Trey said as I finished adjusting my pads.
“You better be out on the field today. In fact, all of you bums need to step up your game.”
“That’s right,” Coach said, walking in from his office. “The next few games are crucial if we are going to go all the way this year. And as I’ve told you numb-nuts time and again, I’m winning one more championship before I retire this year. End of story!”
“Yeah, Coach!” we all yelled, almost in unison.
“Now get out there and show me how it’s done!”
I got to my feet and followed the rest of the guys out of the locker room and out onto the field. Everything else faded away as I concentrated on the football. It was my one true friend and lover. If I threw her gracefully and on target, I would be rich.
All the dangers of getting a concussion or injured in some other way – like hurting my balls – didn’t matter if I kept my money on the prize at the end of all the hard work, a contract with a major team somewhere in the United States.
The thought of hurting my balls caused Brooke to pop back into my mind. As I thought about it all more, it made perfect sense. Brooke’s secret was fucking him before she met me. Hopefully not after. Why hadn’t that fucker told me?
He had his back turned to me, but I launched the ball at him like a fucking missile. It hit him in the head and bounced off. When he spun around, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Sorry, bro!”
“Fucking asshole,” he shouted.
I high-stepped in place, waving for him to bring it on. With Coach watching, I didn’t think he would dare do anything back to me, but I hoped he would. As I watched and waited, he bent down and rushed forward, palm out as he came straight toward me while yelling.
“What the fuck is going on?” Coach barked.
At the very last moment, I leaped aside and out of his way.
“Too big, dumb, and slow, bro.”