“Keep kissing me like that and we’ll never make it out of here.”
“Now there’s an idea,” I chuckled.
“I can’t believe it’s junior year already.” She exhaled a small sigh.
“Believe it, baby.” I kissed her again.
“Okay, I’m going to finish getting ready and then we can head out.” Mya’s hand lingered on my shoulder and then she walked away, disappearing into the bathroom.
My cell phone vibrated, and I plucked it off the coffee table, scanning the text message.
* * *
Diego: A few of us are hanging out later, you should come.
* * *
Me: It’s Sunday. Got plans with Mya.
* * *
My teammates knew the deal.
* * *
Diego: You are so fucking pussy whipped...
* * *
Me: Never claimed to be anything else.
* * *
I smirked, running a hand over my jaw. The guys liked to bust my balls about Mya, about how serious I was about her. But I didn’t give a fuck. I loved her. And I’d almost lost her once... there was zero chance of me ever losing her again. I didn’t care that it was college, that it was supposed to be the time for partying and sowing your wild oats. Football wasn’t my life like it was for so many of my frie
nds, like it was for Jason. I loved playing and I enjoyed the brotherhood and camaraderie, but it wasn’t the end goal for me. I had zero intention of going pro.
* * *
Diego: Well, you know where we’ll be if you change your mind.
* * *
Wasn’t going to happen but I appreciated him getting off my back about it.
The Hideout was crammed but Faith had reserved a table upfront for Mya and a couple of their other friends. It was an eclectic crowd. Preppy types with something to prove. The stoners, all high on weed, free love, and peace. The drama students all desperately trying to get their big break. Then Mya and her friends; the ones out to change the world and make a difference. There wasn’t a jock in sight, but I didn’t care because although football was a big part of my life, it didn’t define me. I had ambitions and plans just as much as the rest of the people here.
“You know, Asher,” Rex, one of Mya’s friends said, “it’s nice you support her passions.”
I frowned at that. “Is that not what two people in a relationship usually do?” Taking a long pull on my beer, I offered him a tight smile.
“Of course.” His laughter came out strangled. “I just meant, what with you being on the football team and all.”
“We’re not all the conceited, selfish, shallow guys you paint us to be, ya know?” My lips thinned.
“I didn’t... that’s not...” He pulled at the collar on his sweater. “That came out wrong.”
“Relax, Rexy boy. I’m secure enough to not give a crap about your stellar opinion of me.”