“I kinda figured that after I talked to him. Is Missy upset?”
Ivy plopped down in my desk chair. “She says she isn’t, says she hadn’t expected him to call, but I think deep down it hurt her feelings.”
I was afraid of that. “Guys just don’t get it.” I sighed.
Ivy screwed up her face and reached for the pillow on my bed. Next thing I knew, she launched it and I shrieked as it hit me in the head. “Hey!” I cried and flung myself flat on the bed.
“Guys just don’t get it,” she mocked with a faux high tone in her voice. “Says the girl with the perfect boyfriend.”
“He isn’t perfect…” I said, even though he kinda was.
Ivy laughed. “You can’t even say that with a straight face.”
I flung a pillow across the room at her. She batted it away with her hand. I sat up and adjusted my glasses. “We both know Romeo has quite the past with girls. It wasn’t very long ago that he was just like Braeden.”
“So what’s your secret?” Ivy asked, leaning forward like she was waiting for me to divulge some tremendous bit of information.
I snorted. “Are you serious? You think I know?”
“You’re the only girl on this entire campus to have landed Romeo Anderson.”
“I didn’t land him,” I said, a serious note in my tone. “I wasn’t even looking for him.”
She groaned. “Well, how do you not look for a guy?”
I got up from the bed, went over to the mini fridge, and reached in for some bottled water. It was empty. “Ugh. We need supplies.”
“We can go now if you want. I’ll drive.”
I shrugged. “Sure. Why not?” I glanced at the clothes all over my bed and grimaced. It looked just like Ivy’s side of the room.
She noticed and laughed. “C’mon.”
I snatched up my bag and coat from the bed and followed her out the door.
“So…” She began on our way down to the ground floor. “I think you gave me an idea.”
“I did?” I asked, surprised.
The messy blond bun on top her head bounced as she nodded. “I’m going to find a guy by not looking for a guy this semester.”
“You’re looking for a guy?”
She gave me a long stare out of the corner of her eye. “Aren’t all girls looking for the guy?”
My answer would have been no, but I didn’t think that was the one she wanted to hear. “I thought you liked being single.”
She shrugged. “I do, but seeing you and Romeo… well, makes me kind of want something like that for myself, you know?”
“Yeah,” I agreed. I could understand that. I hadn’t even realized I’d wanted it until Romeo gave it to me.
Outside, the sky was closing in on darkness. White flurries still fell as cold wind blew around us. Thank goodness Alpha U had an indoor field, because the thought of Romeo out practicing in this was a terrible thought.
Inside Ivy’s little car was no warmer than outside, and I prayed the heater worked fast. I rubbed my hands together and blew into them as Ivy started up the car. Maybe I’d buy a pair of mittens while we were out.
As Ivy backed out of her parking spot, I turned toward her. “I hope you find him,” I said. “You know… the guy.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “And maybe while I’m not looking, I can have some fun.”
“Be careful,” I sang. “You sound like Braeden.”
“Hmmm,” she mused. “Maybe Braeden has the right idea after all.”
We looked at each other and laughed.
Chapter Six
Romeo
Alpha U had a large indoor field for us to train on during the cold months. It wasn’t quite as large as a regular football field, but it was big enough for us to stay conditioned and on top of our game.
The sport of football had an off season—but the players didn’t. The Wolves practiced almost all year round. It’s what made us so competitive. It’s what got us to the championships this year. Most college teams were done with their season. They were enjoying a lighter schedule, but not us.
The entire winter break was filled with training, early morning practices, and traveling to the finals games.
All that preparation, all those wins… they all came down to one thing. The championship.
It was next week, and the Wolves were hungry for it. I was hungry for it.
I knew some NFL scouts were at some of the final games, I knew I played well enough to impress them, but the big test was this game. As the quarterback, I felt even more pressure to lead the team to victory, and as a player, I felt pressure to perform for my future.
Since I blew off Omega, it wasn’t going to be as easy to snag an in with the NFL. I was going to have to make up for that with hard work.
I worked hard at practice, running drills, throwing passes, and occasionally running the ball. I was a little bulkier than some quarterbacks so I didn’t run it as often, but it was still something I practiced because I didn’t want my size to deter my ability to run.
When I was out here on the field, it was just me and the lights. Me and the ball. I focused on my breathing, on the sound it made filling up my lungs. I kept my eyes and mind focused on the field, the team, and the plays.
When Coach called practice, I stayed out a little longer with Braeden and practiced throwing down the field. By the time I was done, my shoulder was sore and the muscles in my body shuddered from exhaustion.
When Braeden and I headed off the field, I saw Trent on the sidelines, watching us. He was already changed over, wearing a pair of jeans and an Alpha hoodie.
“Looking good out there,” he said when I was within earshot.
“Thanks, man,” I said and snagged up my water off the bench. I emptied the bottle and tossed it in a nearby bin.
“You’ve been pushing yourself,” Trent said.
“I want the trophy next week.”
“We all want that trophy next week,” Braeden said from behind.
“Any luck with the scouts?” Trent asked.
“Not yet,” I answered, rubbing a towel over my sweat-drenched head.
“The offer to be an Omega still stands,” he replied. “The connection might help.”
“Thanks, but I’m gonna do this on my terms.”
He nodded. “I can respect that.”
We fist-bumped and I grinned. “Speaking of Omega, how’s it feel to be president?”
Trent replaced Zach as Omega president almost right after he was carted off in handcuffs.
“Not too shabby.” He smirked.
“How is it with Zach still around?”
His expression slipped a little. “Dude, that guy is a complete tool.”
I nodded. “He still pretty pissed about last semester or what?”
“Oh yeah,” Trent said. “He thought he was still gonna be president after everything. Hell, he wouldn’t even still be there if his daddy hadn’t stepped in.”
“He giving you problems?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.
“Seems to be laying low for right now,” Trent answered. “But knowing Zach, that just means he’s up to something.”
“He threatened me the other day.”
Trent straightened, his gaze sharpening on my face. Beside me, Braeden crossed his arms over his chest. “What’d he say?”
I shrugged. “Nothing specific, just that he hadn’t forgotten.”
Trent swore beneath his breath. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Have a couple guys at the house do the same. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
“Appreciate it, man.” I grabbed up my gear to go hit the showers. My shoulder was sore and I needed to ice it down.
“Hey,” he called out behind me. “We having a team party for the championship or what?”
I laughed. “Hells yeah.”
Braeden made a whooping sound. “Might as well plan that bitch now, because the win is in the bag.”
I laughed. “We can do it at my place. Team members o
nly and their dates.”
“Exclusive,” Braeden said. “Me likey.”
“Sweet. I’ll pass word with the guys.” Trent agreed. “BYOB.”
I headed off into the locker room and made a mental note to tell Mom about the party. She’d make sure it was stocked and that would be one less thing I’d have to deal with. We could have had it somewhere else, but as the team quarterback, I felt like it was my place to do something for my team.
After I yanked off all my gear and tossed it in my locker, I sat down and reached for my bag. I was exhausted and starving. I decided to skip the shower and just take one at home.
“Yo, I’m out!” I called to Braeden.
He came around the corner in nothing but a towel. “Dude, I’ve told ya before. You’re a good-looking guy too. It’s just that not many can hold up to all this,” he cracked and gestured to himself with his hand. “Sometimes it’s lonely being so damn fine.”
I grinned and grabbed an ice pack out of the nearby freezer. After kneading it around a minute, I slapped it on my shoulder beneath my jacket and laughed. “Fuck you.”
He grinned. “If I had a private shower at home like you, I’d be leaving too.”
“Mi casa es su casa,” I told him.
“Thanks. You better go ice down that shoulder. Maybe call up your girl for a rub down.”
I was exhausted, but just the thought of Rimmel and her hands on me was enough to give me a second wind.
“I’ll see ya tomorrow,” I called and left.
I could hear the shower running and Braeden singing some lame song at the top of his lungs as I walked down the hallway.
It was well past dinner by the time I walked into my place. I tossed my stuff by the door and went straight to the shower. When I was finished, I threw on some sweats and a T-shirt and wandered over to the main house because I knew they had better food than I did.
The kitchen was dim with only a few pendant lights hanging over the massive marble-topped island. The room lit up a little more when I opened the stainless steel fridge and rummaged around for some grub. There was a container filled with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and seasoned rice, and I popped the lid and put the whole thing in the micro to heat. As I was waiting, I adjusted the fresh ice pack on my shoulder.
Rimmel was at the library, working on some paper that wasn’t due for like another two weeks. She’d wanted to get a head start she’d said. I’d never done an assignment that far in advance. Hell, if it wasn’t for her tutoring me again this semester, I’d probably be on thin ice with my grades. But she would keep me on track.
When my food was finally done heating, I reached in to grab it and spun around to grab a fork. My mother was standing on the other side of the island. Watching me.
“Geez, Mom. Creepy much?” I said. snagging a fork and then leaning against the counter to eat.
“Why are you icing your shoulder?” she asked, her eyes zeroing in on my arm.
“I’m fine,” I told her around a huge bite of meat. “It’s just sore from practice.”
She pulled out one of the upholstered chairs at the island and pointed at it. “Sit when you eat.”
I shoved another huge bite in my mouth and made sure I chewed extra loud on my way to the chair.
“Really, Roman.” She sighed and put a kettle of water on the stove to boil.
“Thanks for the food, Mom.”
“There will always be meals in here for you. I know how hard you work and how busy your schedule is. The last thing you need to do is worry about trying to feed yourself.”
I smiled extra toothy-like, making sure she got a glimpse of what I was chewing. She made a tsking sound but smiled fondly and laughed under her breath.
I went back to eating (with better manners), and she went about getting out a white porcelain mug and placing a teabag inside.
When I could hear the hot bubbling of the water inside the kettle, she lifted it off the heat and poured the steaming liquid over her tea.
“Where’s dad?” I asked.
“Working late. He has a case.”
I grunted. That wasn’t much of a surprise. Dad worked long hours. I guess being a sought-after attorney with a good reputation came with a price. Sometimes I wondered if it was my mother who paid most of it. She was here alone more than not, and I knew sometimes it had to get lonely.
“Why didn’t you tell me she didn’t have a mother?” Her question jarred me out of my thoughts, and my head snapped up. She was rhythmically dunking her tea bag in the water as she awaited an answer.
I was surprised. She could have asked me about my grades, football, or anything else for that matter. Rimmel wasn’t really a topic we ever engaged in.
She made it clear how she felt.
And I made it clear I didn’t give a fuck.
So it was interesting now that she was coming to me with information I never gave her.
“I didn’t realize it mattered.” My voice was lazy even though I felt anything but. My mother was poking around in my life. Poking around Rimmel, who she hurt once before with her less-than-gentle attitude. I didn’t like it.
“If it concerns you, it matters,” she said coolly, abandoning the tea bag.
My mother cared about me. I wouldn’t say or think otherwise. The fact is I was her only child, her miracle baby at that, and I knew she loved me more than anyone. And I loved her, but sometimes her fierceness got in the way of my life. The older I got, maybe the less I noticed it. Maybe I told myself it wasn’t there, and sometimes it was easy to feel like I was nothing more than a trophy for my socialite parents to display.
But right now, I knew this was about more than her wanting to protect me from a girl she thought only wanted something from me.
And then I understood perfectly.
“You hired a private eye to find out about my girlfriend?” I couldn’t hide the cool contempt from my tone. My fork clattered against the dish.
Her eyes widened just a fraction and she cleared her throat. “Of course I did. How else was I to find out anything about her?”
“You could have asked.”
She frowned. “I’m not trying to upset you, Roman. It’s clear she means a great deal to you.”
I sighed. “Yeah, she does. Which is exactly why I’m not getting into this with you.” I stood, pushing back the stool, and grabbed up the food. “I’ll go finish this at my place.”
I left before she could say anything else. She did call out my name behind me, but I kept going. I felt guilty as I walked around the pool with a bowl of food in my hand that I knew she made for me. I felt a little guilty because I’d left her standing there alone instead of keeping her company for a bit.
But then I remembered the look on Rimmel’s face the night my mother accused her of only wanting something from me. I remembered how freaked out I was seeing her small frame walking back to campus on a dark street, alone.
I kept walking.
Inside, I set my food on the counter and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and thought about texting Rim to see if she was done studying, but the sound of the front door closing had me glancing up.
My mother followed me into the kitchen, carrying her mug of tea in her hands. I leaned against the counter and readjusted the ice on my shoulder and waited.
“That was rude.” She lifted her eyebrow.
“Mom,” I ground out, barely holding on to my patience. “What kind of reaction did you expect?”
“All I did was make an inquiry. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her.”
As she spoke, Murphy waltzed into the room as if to punctuate Mom’s point. She gave the black one-eyed animal a look, and then her eyes flashed to mine as if to say, See, told you.
She wasn’t too thrilled when she came over one day to find a cat sitting on the kitchen counter. Animals didn’t really fit into our lifestyle, and animal hair didn’t really go with the décor in the main house.
&nb
sp; I expected a fight, for her to tell me to get him out.
She didn’t. Mom just told me it was my job to clean up after him, not the housekeeper’s.
“So you’re saying you had her background checked because you don’t trust my judgment?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t speak to me like that.” She took a sip of tea and a deep breath. “I was merely doing the responsible thing any parent would do. Your father has a very good reputation. We have good standing in this community. Is it so bad that I wanted to make sure she was who she said she was?”
I wasn’t going to argue with her. It didn’t matter. “And I assume you’re satisfied now?”
She sat aside her tea and regarded me with serious, dark eyes. Her blond hair was down around her shoulders today. It was straight and thick. I knew she spent a lot of time and money to keep it looking that way.
I almost grinned because of the stark differences between her and Rimmel.
My mother was so refined and polished, and Rimmel was raw and uncut.
After straightening her cable-knit sweater over her white jeans, she said, “Her mother died when she was just a child.” Her brown eyes softened as she spoke.
“She found her body in the pool,” I added.
Mom nodded. “I read that in the file the investigator sent over.”
My back teeth came together. “So if you already know all of this, why are we talking about it?”
Murphy jumped up on the island with a thump and meowed loudly. Mom jerked in surprise and made a little squealing sound.
I grinned.
She picked up her mug and moved it farther away while eyeing the cat. “I’m not used to animals being around.”
“He’s harmless, Mom. He just wants a treat.”
“A treat?”
I reached into the cabinet and pulled out a large bag of soft cat treats. Rimmel said they were his favorite and fed him way too many of them. “Here,” I said, handing her the bag. “Give him one. Rimmel won’t be by tonight, so he won’t get his usual twenty-five today.”
“Twenty-five,” she echoed. “That seems a bit excessive.”
I laughed. “It is, but Rimmel doesn’t care.”
She took the bag and opened it gingerly to reach in for a small brown snack. It was tuna flavored. Murphy saw what she was doing and started purring loudly and walked across the counter toward my mother.
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