“Go get cleaned up. I better not hear any more stories about you getting in trouble or carrying on around campus.”
I nodded seriously then turned and ran to catch up with the others. None of them said a damn word when I walked in the locker room, not even Trey.
“Hey, fellas. Good practice out there.”
“No shit,” Thompson, a rookie, said.
“What did you say?” I asked, turning to him.
I forgot sometimes everyone below me on the totem pole wanted to climb their way to the top and replace me. My problems gave them cause to celebrate.
“Nothing,” he muttered.
“Fucking right you said nothing.”
My anger built up even more as I walked to my locker and began undressing. I did it as quickly as possible, determined to find out exactly what had happened to Brooke.
I sent her a text before jumping in the shower. When I got out, she had replied, telling me she was home and safe but not to come over. Try and stop me, I thought.
After getting dressed, I headed out of the locker room and trekked across campus on foot toward her apartment. I took the path where I’d met her that first night.
Memories of all the sexual encounters and time spent together came rushing back to me as I increased my pace, anxious to see her again. Why hadn’t she used me as an alibi?
Only she had the answer to that question, and I would get her to tell me. Why did love have to be so fucking complicated? Was it even worth all the headaches?
I thought Brooke was worth it in so many ways. If she felt the same about me, we might have a chance of a future together.
THIRTY
Austin
When I reached her apartment, I stopped on the front porch and knocked loudly. The door opened slightly, and I saw her beautiful face.
“What are you doing here?” She glanced around. “You shouldn’t be here. Come inside.”
“I heard Jocelyn is trying to get you in trouble,” I said as I walked in.
“Yeah, but I don’t want it to get out that we’re together because your coach would be mad. I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it? How can you say that?”
“Because I love you, Austin, and I want the best for you.”
“Love means we work together. Always.”
I put a hand on her waist as I stared into her eyes. She frowned.
“Well, we can’t this time. Your dream of making the pros is important to me now too.”
“What about you? Your dream is important too.”
“I have time and a few different paths I can take. It’s different.”
“This isn’t right,” I said.
“It’s not, but we have to do what we have to do, you know?”
She stood on her toes and kissed me, making all my problems melt away. I loved the way she made me feel when her body was pressed against mine.