The offense put their helmets back on. We huddled on our twenty-five-yard line. “Black dog on two,” our quarterback, Anton, called out. We all clapped and moved to the line of scrimmage. This was one of my favorite plays. It was a play-action fake with an out-pattern pass to me. Well, it was usually to me. I just needed to get open.
Right after the ball was hiked, Anton dropped back into the pocket at the same time I took off. Once I got away from the defender, I tossed my hand in the air just as I saw the ball sailing toward me. Keeping my eyes on it, I watched it land in my arms. I took it into the end zone, tossed the ball to the coach, and hustled off the field.
“That was great!” Charlie said, beaming next to me.
“Don’t you need to kick?”
“No, it’s Francis’s turn.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You do know he prefers to be called DiNardo, right?” Not many people even knew his first name.
“Yup,” she said, popping thepat the end. Once again I laughed, earning me one of her pretty smiles.
The whistle blew, and he hit the extra point with ease. Charlie let out a breath. “Glad he didn’t miss.”
Charlie was special. Most people would want their competition to choke, but she didn’t have it in her. Instead, when he ran back, she put her hand up in the air. He was very lucky he smacked it and didn’t leave her hanging, or he’d get a warning never to do that again.
“You’re in a good mood,” I said, waterfalling an electrolyte-based drink into my mouth.
“It’s Friday. I’m going out tonight, remember?”
And just like that,mygood mood soured. “Right, how can I forget.”
She giggled, and my body once again reacted to her.
Dammit.
###
Ever since we walked through the door three hours ago, Charlie had been upstairs. I have since showered, changed into my favorite basketball shorts and performance T-shirt, and have started to make dinner. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was just past six. Not sure what to do about dinner, I decided to head upstairs and see if Charlie wanted anything.
I took the steps two by two, and as soon as I got to the top landing, I heard her voice. Glancing toward her room, I saw that her door was open a crack. It hadn’t been my intention to overhear her conversation, yet I couldn’t help but do just that—especially because my sister had been the voice on the other end.
“What are you doing now? Please don’t tell me you’re studying.”
“No, Sal, I’m not studying. I’m putting on my makeup. A couple of girls I met the other night asked me to go out with them for ladies’ night. Do you know Sophie and Cami?”
“Yes, they’re great! I wish I could be there too. But that sounds like so much fun. Now tell me, How has practice been?”
“Nerve-racking. I was happy that your brother was with me and that he had already introduced me to a couple of the guys. It made the first day better, knowing Lucas and Mack.”
My sister let out a sound I never wanted to hear from her again, right before she said, “Damn, girl, Mack is sexy as sin and very experienced. You know, he’d be a good one to take your V-card.”
Her what?
“Sally Elizabeth St. James, I can’t believe you just said that!” Charlie scolded in a harsh tone much like the one silently chiming away in my brain.
“Why? He’s gorgeous. Take it from me, if it’s not good the first time, the view may as well be. Although I bet he’s experienced enough to give you an orgasm. They can be very elusive, especially your first time. Trust me, you’ll want someone who knows what he’s doing and not fumbling all around your bits.”
“My bits?” Charlie snickered. “You’re nuts, do you know that? I’m not sleeping with a player. Your brother told me I shouldn’t date anyone on the team.”
No way was Charlie a virgin, but that wasn’t any of my business. However, the voice on the other end piqued my curiosity just as much. I knew my sister wasn’t a saint, but hearing her thoughts on the subject didn’t sit well with me. In fact, I should probably have turned and walked away, but my inquiring mind—directed at Charlie’s situation—kept me rooted in place.
“Fine, I suppose I understand. Bummer, because there are prime candidates on that team.”
“Yeah, I’m living with one of them. You do realize your brother puts the others to shame, right?”
A smirk automatically spread across my face, and my chest may have puffed out a bit at her declaration.