5
BILLY
Two days later,I’m back on campus. I head home to make sure the football house is still standing, drop off my stuff, and head to a team meeting. After I sit my ass down next to Jake Ramirez, I elbow him. “How’s my girl?”
He gives me a look. “You meanmygirl?”
I love giving this guy shit. “Always so sensitive. You do know the only reason you and Chuck are dating now is because I’m such a damn good matchmaker, right?”
“Charlotteis great.”
My little nickname for his girlfriend gets under his skin. “And the kid?” He has a cute son all the girls in our group are nuts about.
“Asher’s great.” He finally cracks a smile.
“Just razzing you, dude. You know I got your back. I ain’t gonna steal your girl.”
“Not that you could.”
I lift my eyebrows in challenge, and then we both crack up. As sweet and beautiful as Charlotte is, she’s not my type. I need someone who can hold her own with me. Someone with more fire.
Someone more like Roxanne Santos.
The room fills with the team, and I hold out my fist to Cam, who’s smiling ear to ear.
“How’s your gamer girl?” I ask after he taps me back and sits next to me. He’s been talking to this chick he games with for the last several months. They finally met up last week, and he’s had dancing stars in his eyes since.
“Kelly’s amazing.”
I lower my voice. “Gonna share her with me?”
“Fuck you.”
Good for him. “Just testing your seriousness.”
He covers his jaw with his hand like he’s embarrassed. “I’m pretty damn serious.”
“Bro.” I chuckle.
“I know. It’s crazy, but I really like her.”
“Cam and Kelly sitting in a tree, f-u-c-k-i-n-g.” He gives me a look, and I laugh again. “Kidding. Mostly.” The guy’s sex drive is as high as mine. They’ll be fucking like bunnies in no time. And if they’re serious, hearts are gonna break all over campus when the news gets out.
Some white Nikes with a gold stripe along the side come into view. Shit. “Hey, Coach.”
Coach Santos gives me a look like he overheard me. Awesome. Just what I need. This guy always walks in on the worst part of my conversations. I tend to have a big mouth.
Whatever. If he wants to find reasons to hate me, there’s nothing I can do about it.
He turns to Ezra, who struts in like he’s God’s gift to college football. “I want to talk to you about some suggestions your agent has.”
Ezra has a strange look on his face, like he’s bracing himself to get reamed out, but then the turd smiles. “Sure thing, Coach.”
Santos pats him on the back. “I hear congratulations are in order. I got engaged to my girlfriend in college too. Snagging a great woman before everyone comes after you for your bank account is smart.”
What the fresh hell? Did Ezra fucking propose to Roxy? Jesus Christ, did she say yes?
My ears fill with white noise like I just got my bell rung on the football field.
