Our defense is good, but our offense is better. Most of us have been playing together since freshman year, and if we play tomorrow the way we’ve been playing, we’re going to roll the Cornhuskers on their home turf.
Will Piper be watching?
Does it matter?
Despite three excruciating weeks of pole, I’m no closer to scoring a date with her than I was the night we met.
I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this. Watching her flip and twirl in those goddamn booty shorts with her ass cheeks hanging out is torture. Not only do I have to take a cold shower before class, I have to jerk off at least twice to avoid getting a stiffy in the middle of class.
There has to be something—
Fuck.
A hard mass slams into my shoulder, the crash of pads yanking me back to the present.
I barely keep my feet under me as I dig in my cleats and push back, but it’s too late. The defensive end slips right past and strips Reid of the ball. It bounces once and a defensive tackle dives on top of it, making the recovery.
Double fuck.
Chaos erupts on the field as the D celebrates.
The way they’re carrying on, you’d think it was their first turnover.
“Vaughn!” I snap to attention as Coach Walker strides across the field, a look of concern etched on his face. “You okay, son?”
I remove my helmet and drag the back of my hand across my forehead. “I’m good, coach.”
“Then do you mind telling me what the hell just happened?” The offensive line coach plants his hands on his hips and gives me a quick once-over. “Because it looked like you were on another planet.”
Might as well have been.
“Sorry, sir. I was distracted.”
At the worst possible time.
“Distracted?” He glances at Reid and then back at me, mouth tight. “Do you plan to be distracted tomorrow, or can I count on you to do your damn job and protect your quarterback?”
I’m left tackle. Protecting Reid’s blindside is my sole priority on the field.
If this had been an actual game, he’d be picking turf out of his facemask right now.
Shame burns my cheeks. Coach Walker has been like a father to me from the moment I arrived at Waverly. The last thing I want to do is let him down when he’s invested so much time and energy in my development. With his help, I’ve become better, faster, stronger. And if it weren’t for his guidance, I’d have dropped out last year when things at home were tight.
You owe him.
I need to get my head in the game because, like everyone else on this team, Coach Walker is jonesing for a national championship, and I’ll do whatever I can to help make it happen.
“You can count on me, coach.”
“I know.” He claps me on the back, an easy smile sliding into place. “Those first few reps looked good. That’s what I want to see from you tomorrow, understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
His brows knit together, and he points to my forearm. “What happened there?”
I glance down at the ugly purple bruise. I can’t tell him it’s a pole kiss. Taking the class violates my scholarship terms, and he’d kick my ass for risking injury.
“I ran into a door. In the dark.”
