In the locker room, I stuff my gear into my duffle. “I’m calling about the room for rent on Ohara drive. Is it still available?”
“Yes. I’ve gotten a few calls, but it’s still up for grabs. Are you a Grand student?”
“Yeah,” I mutter low as Kevin shoulders his bag and draws his brows in confusion at my conversation. “I play on the team.”
“Ah, well, I’m the half-time show.”
“In the band?”
“Yep.”
“Nice.”
“Thanks. So, the room is five hundred a month, including utilities. I’ve already rented the other out, so you’ll get the smaller of the two.”
“I don’t have much anyway. When can I see it?”
“When are you free?”
Glancing at my watch, I see Clarissa won’t pick up Dante for at least another hour.
“How about now?”
“Now’s good for me.”
“Give me fifteen.”
“See you then. What’s your name, man?”
“I guess that would be a good place to start, Troy Jenner.”
“Ah, Jenner.” His pause has me tensing. “Well, I mean no offense, but this may not be the house you’re looking for.”
I keep the indignation out of my reply. “I’m looking for peace, quiet. No bullshit.”
Kevin chooses that exact moment to try and get my attention by dropping trou and presenting me with his nut-sack. Eye level with his balls, I rise from the bench and deliver him a bitch slap that would make a pimp jealous. He has the audacity to act offended, screeching when I grip him in a headlock.
“Get your dick beaters off of me, Jenner!”
Theo sounds up on the other end of the line, hearing the commotion. “Are you sure about that?”
“Positive,” I grunt out, pushing Kevin away from me after gifting him a quick knee to the jugular. I have about thirty seconds until he regains motor function, maybe less. Kevin gasps on the floor, ass out, holding his neck as I step over him and cover the mouthpiece of the phone.
“Lance Prescott is the other who just rented out a room. Do you two get along?”
“Sure.” I glance at Lance a few lockers down where he’s packing his duffle, his usual ‘fuck off’ air surrounding him. He’s known as the team mute and keeps mostly to himself, but he’s a beast on the field, which has earned him mad respect from me. He’s the only other Texas Grand Ranger with enough talent and attention to get drafted, which in a way, makes him my main competition for the draft, but I don’t hold it against him. He defended his way into his spot, just as much as I ran my way into mine, and it’s my hope we both get a contract come draft day.
“I mean, we’re not exactly tight. He’s not much for words.”
“There’s your peace and quiet. See you in fifteen.”
“See you then. Thanks, man.”
I end the call and nudge Kevin on the floor. “Dude, what the hell is wrong with you? That call was important. Get a ride home. I have shit to do.”
He grunts as he lifts himself from the floor. “Why are you still looking for a place? I told you, Harris has room for you in his apartment and won’t charge you shit.”
I look over to where Harris stands airing out his junk while smelling his socks.