Out of Bounds: A Sports Romance (Soulmates Series Book 5)

by Hazel Kelly

  She lifted her eyes.

  “At least forty-five times since I woke up.”

  She laughed.

  A moment later, there was an aggressive knock at the door. I laid a finger across my lips.

  “I know you’re in there, Hudson,” my roommate said. “The whole team knows you’re sleeping with the fucking press.”

  I flinched.

  Rosie’s eyes went wide.

  “The whole team doesn’t know shit,” I said. “Mind your own damn business.”

  Rosie’s expression pleaded for an explanation.

  I met her gaze and lowered my voice. “I told one guy that I was being interviewed by a journalist last night. I swear that is the extent of what I said.”

  “Good,” she said. “Because as far as I’m concerned, everything that happened after that was off the record.”

  N I N E T E E N

  - Rosie -

  I was following my classmates out of the room when Professor Hopkins flagged me down.

  “Miss Bennet,” he said, raising his eyes as he continued packing his briefcase. “Could I have a quick word?”

  I stepped out of the shuffling crowd and approached his desk.

  “I know I said I wouldn’t be sharing my feedback on the interview assignment until next week,” he said.

  I glanced over my shoulder as the last student filtered into the hall.

  “But I wanted to speak with you privately before then.”

  I felt the color drain from my cheeks and squeezed the straps of my backpack. “Oh, okay.”

  “Relax,” he said. “It’s good news.”

  I took a deep breath and felt my shoulders drop two inches.

  “Your interview really stood out.”

  “In a good way?” I asked, fighting the urge to scrunch my face.

  “Yes,” he said, crossing his arms and leaning against his wide wooden desk. “Though I admit I was a little disappointed by it at first.”

  I curled my toes in my boots.

  “See, the next class is supposed to be about the pitfalls of editorializing, since I can usually find at least one example of it in everyone’s interview. Unfortunately, your article was completely free of it.”

  I exhaled.

  “So congratulations,” he said. “I was very impressed by your work.”

  “Thank you.”

  “In fact, I was hoping you’d let me print it in the school paper.”

  My eyes grew wide. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” he said. “It’s unusual for a freshman to be featured, but I think it’s good enough.”

  “That would be amazing.”

  “Great,” he said. “We’ll run it Sunday. You can look for it then.”

  I could barely hide how over the moon I was. I figured it would be at least a year before I was even eligible to put anything forward for the Campus Chronicle.

  “Also,” he said. “If you’re interested, I’d like to offer you a position working with the sports set for the football season.”

  I craned my neck forward. “What?”

  “You probably won’t get to do much since Josie’s kind of a control freak, but she’s one of our most talented students, and I think you could learn a lot from her before she graduates at the end of the year.”

  “Wow. That would be great. I’m definitely interested.”

  “Excellent,” he said. “I’ll let her know. And don’t worry, it’s not a massive commitment. You just need to be on hand in case she needs any help on the field.”

  “The field field?”

  He nodded. “That’s usually where she broadcasts from.”

  “Right. Of course.”

  “I think the first home game is in two weeks,” he said. “So you should expect to hear from Josie relatively soon.”

  “Looking forward to it,” I said, wondering what the hell I was getting myself into.

  His kind eyes smiled. “I’m glad. I think you have real potential.”

  “Is that everything you wanted to ask me?”

  “It is,” he said. “Enjoy your weekend, and don’t forget to grab the Chronicle on Sunday.”

  “I won’t,” I said, doing my best to play it cool as far as the door.

  Once in the hall, I raced down the stairs, adrenaline coursing through me as I realized all my hard work had paid off. All that bullshit I dealt with running the high school paper, all those days I wanted to pull my hair out. It had all been worth it because it led to me impressing the head of the department. As a freshman!

  I was so excited I almost didn’t see Nikki leaning against the light post when I got outside.

  “What took you so long?” she asked. “And why do I have the feeling it has something to do with that ridiculous smile on your face?”

  “Because you’re smarter than you look?”

  “Spill it, Ro,” she said. “I can’t handle the suspense.”

  “I’m going to be published.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  I nodded. “The interview I did with Luke is going to be in the paper.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “And even better, I get to be a groupie for the sports broadcasting team during football season.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m going to have a front row seat for your every cheer!”

  “Cool,” she said, failing to match my enthusiasm.

  But I didn’t really expect her to understand. While she’d listened to me babble on about becoming a journalist enough that I couldn’t fault her support, only my parents would really get what a lucky break this was for me.

  “I suppose this is good news for Luke as well,” she said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Sure.” She stepped off the sidewalk to make room for an oncoming long boarder. “If he’s getting good press, it might encourage his coach to give him a shot at play.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Stranger things have happened,” she said, reclaiming her spot next to me. “Speaking of which, are you going to tell me what happened with you guys or what?”

  I swallowed.

  “Troy said he saw you walk of shaming it from his place on Sunday morning.”

  I furrowed my brow. “He did?”

  “Does that have anything to do with why you’ve been avoiding me all week?”

  “I haven’t been avoiding you.”

  “Rosie, c’mon. You’re my best friend. I think I know when you’re avoiding me.”

  “I’m sorry if you felt that way. It was never my intention to—”

  “Just tell me what happened,” she said. “It’s not like I care.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “Well if you don’t care…”

  “You know what I mean. Don’t twist my words.”

  “We had a nice dinner,” I said, taking my time with every word to make the story feel longer. “And then we went back to his place for a few drinks.”

  “Did you fuck him?”

  I flinched. “No.”

  “But you fooled around.”

  My cheeks burned. “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “How was it?” she asked.

  “What do you want me to say?” I looked around to see if anyone was within earshot. “That I’m a sprung mess? That I’m so smitten it’s embarrassing?”

  She cracked a smile.

  “Please don’t make that face.”

  Her doe eyes widened. “What face?”

  “Like you’re amused at all this.”

  “I am amused.”

  I sighed. “That makes one of us.”

  “I fucking knew he had a thing for you.”

  “He doesn’t have a thing for me, Nikki. We drank a bunch of whiskey and fooled around. It’s not a big deal.”

  “It’s kind of a big deal. I mean, you went on an actual date. That makes it at least six hundred percent more serious than your average college ho
okup.”

  “It wasn’t a date. I was more like a…quiet meeting.”

  “Did he pay for the meal?” she asked.

  “Yes, but I didn’t approve.”

  “Okay, last question.”

  I raised my eyes to the sky. “Thank God.”

  “Did he feed you in the morning?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek.

  “He did, didn’t he?”

  I looked down at the sidewalk. “He might’ve picked up some bagels.”

  “Which you ate where?”

  “I thought that was the last question.”

  “It’s part of the same question,” she said. “Don’t be a tease.”

  I lowered my voice. “We ate the bagels in bed.”

  “Naked?”

  “Jesus.”

  “That’s a yes.”

  I groaned. “You are relentless.”

  “And you are preciously naïve.”

  “I am not.”

  She laughed. “Trust me. Meaningless hookups don’t usually include breakfast in bed.”

  “Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

  “No,” she said. “I’m trying to make you feel good.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “If you didn’t even fuck him and he brought you breakfast in bed, he’s at least as sprung as you are.”

  I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. “Thanks for the analysis.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “Skank.”

  T W E N T Y

  - Luke -

  I was so busy trolling the internet for the cheesiest romance songs ever written that I didn’t notice Jordan staring at me.

  “Ahem,” he said, knocking on the wall.

  I lifted my eyes towards the open door. “Oh hey,” I said, pulling my headphones off. I turned back to the computer, collapsed the tab I’d been looking at, and pulled up the assignment I was supposed to be working on. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough to wonder what’s got you so absorbed.”

  “I was making a new cardio playlist,” I lied, swiveling my chair towards him. “What’s up? How’d you even get in here?”

  “The door was unlocked.”

  I made a mental note to have a word with Anders. God forbid someone less welcome than Jordan had waltzed in. I probably wouldn’t even have noticed.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, dropping his backpack on the floor and collapsing on the futon. “I just wanted to be the first to congratulate you.”

  “About what?”

  “The article.”

  “What article?” I asked.

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t seen it.”

  “I haven’t.”

  He groaned and reached for his backpack, dragging it to his feet so he could reach the folded newspaper in the side pocket. “Page 7,” he said, handing it to me.

  I spread the Campus Chronicle on my desk and flipped the pages. When I reached the seventh, my eyes widened as they scanned the big block letters across the top. “Can Cool Hand Luke Turn the Defeat Around?” Below the title, there was a small picture of Rosie looking ridiculously serious. I smiled.

  “Did you come up with that yourself?” Jordan asked.

  “What?”

  “Cool Hand Luke.”

  I shook my head.

  “Pretty catchy nickname for a QB.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Did you read it?”

  “Only to see if I got a mention,” he said. “Which I didn’t.”

  “Sorry, man. I didn’t even think it was going to be published. She said it was just a class assignment.”

  “Isn’t Rosie the girl we saw on the quad that day?” he asked. “The one who rejected you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I recognized her picture.”

  I glanced at it again, blinking when I thought I saw her smile back at me. “Mind if I have a quick read of this?”

  “Not at all,” he said, getting up. “Keep it. I’m supposed to be reading Plato’s dialogues anyway.”

  “Enjoy.”

  He rolled his eyes and hoisted his bag off the floor.

  I followed him to the door and locked it behind him after he swindled me out of a Gatorade. Then I returned to my desk and read the article. It was good. Even if it hadn’t been about me, I would’ve thought the guy came across as both interesting and talented.

  Sure, part of me was a little embarrassed about it. Especially when I realized a few of my teammates had already made jokes about it on my Facebook wall. But overall I was flattered.

  I dialed Rosie’s number and leaned back in my chair.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey,” I said, glancing at her picture again. “I just saw the article.”

  “What did you think?”

  “You forgot to mention that my skills extend all the way to the bedroom.”

  “Did I?” she asked. “It must’ve gotten edited out. I assure you I shared every last detail with my professor.”

  “I bet the pervert enjoyed it.”

  “Not as much as I did,” she said.

  “Did you come up with the title yourself?”

  “I did.”

  I stuck out my lower lip. “I’m impressed.”

  “You’re not the only one,” she said. “My professor gave me a promotion of sorts.”

  “Is that right?”

  “It is.”

  “What kind of promotion?” I asked.

  “I get to shadow the girl who does the live broadcasting during football season.”

  “What do you mean shadow?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” she said. “But I’m guessing it will be my responsibility to carry her shit and tell her if there’s anything in her teeth before she goes on air.”

  “I’m not sure promotion is the right word for that.”

  “And I’ll get front row seats to all your games.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Cool, huh?”

  “Very cool,” I said, more determined than ever to make it off the bench.

  “Well, I’m glad you liked the article.”

  “I loved it,” I said. “I know it was all about me, but despite that, I thought you did a great job.”

  “Thanks.”

  I swiveled to the side and put my feet up on the futon. “It almost sounded like you actually liked football.”

  “I do like football.”

  “Really?” I asked. “What’s your favorite part of the game?”

  “The part where all the players run onto the field in their tight pants.”

  I laughed. “Good to know.”

  “What are you up to today?”

  “I have some reading to catch up on,” I said. “And I need to finish a project I started so I can surprise a sexy journalist I know.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is.”

  “What’s the surprise?” she asked.

  “Like I’d tell you,” he said. “You’re the press, after all.”

  “I can keep a secret.”

  “I’ll have to tell you a few sometime, then.” I stuck a hand down the front of my pants and adjusted myself, realizing that just the sound of her voice had turned me on. “What about you?”

  “I’m going to be at the library all day. I have a Poli Sci quiz tomorrow and I’ve barely opened the book.”

  “Why?” I asked. “Been distracted?”

  “Yeah. Some meathead won’t stop sending me filthy texts.”

  “I’ll kill him,” I said. “What about tomorrow?”

  “Same as today.”

  “Poor thing.”

  “I know,” she said. “If I never have to write another bibliography, it will be too soon.”

  “You have a mailbox at your dorm?”

  “Of course.”

  I reached for a pen. “Number?”

  “421a.”

  I scribbled the address on a sticky note.

  “
You planning on stalking me?” she asked.

  “It’s only stalking if you’re not into it.”

  “And you think I’m into it?”

  A smile spread across my face. “I think you’re so into it you wish I had my hands between your legs right now.”

  “Well, you’re wrong,” she said. “Because I’m currently in line at Hot Beans—”

  “How ironic.”

  “And getting banned from here would totally destroy my productivity.”

  I flashed my eyebrows. “Not if I do first.”

  She scoffed. “I’d like to see you try.”

  “Challenge accepted.”

  “I gotta go,” she said. “I’m next in line.”

  “All right, babe. Great article anyway. Proud of you.”

  She hung up without saying goodbye, but I was cool with that. After all, it was the last thing I ever wanted to hear from her.

  T W E N T Y O N E

  - Rosie -

  I couldn’t believe he called me babe.

  I’d never felt like a babe in my life, and yet, the moment the word left his lips, I wanted to believe it. Amazing. As if a nerd like me could possibly achieve babe status in the eyes of a guy like him.

  But maybe Nikki was right. Maybe it wasn’t casual. I mean, the way he said babe was pretty casual, but there was nothing casual about the night we spent together. Sure, on the surface it looked like old friends collecting benefits, but deep down, I knew I was fucked.

  I’d never been more distracted by romantic feelings in my life, and I was convinced that the happiness I was enjoying was too immense, too unsustainable. Besides, while we had an amazing time behind closed doors, in real life, we weren’t even in the same league.

  How could it possibly work? How could I be anything other than his flavor of the month when he had his pick of thousands of women who not only lived within arm’s reach, but knew more about men by the time they were in eighth grade than I knew now?

  After all, I’d only had two boyfriends in my whole life. The first was allergic to everything, including human contact, and his extreme germaphobia meant that our relationship was strictly cerebral. I think the most sexual conversation we ever had was probably when we spent a whole day arguing about Anna Karenina’s moral code.

  The other guy, Ali (short for Alistair), was a British exchange student. He charmed me senior year with his accent and his impressive skill with not one but two instruments…neither of which were his penis.