by Ali Parker
"You’re right about that. You're a short little thing. Color has nothing to do with it, and you know it. Don't let your paleness be a crutch."
We shared a laugh as she launched the ball at me. "Hit the three-pointer this time... if you can."
Challenge accepted. I moved toward her and faked left before spinning to the right and sinking the ball into the hoop.
"Like that?" I smiled over at her as she reached out and patted my back.
"You're the best player I've got this year. Let's bring down the house and make your daddy proud of both of us." She winked at me and walked toward the locker room. "Weight room, Miss Kelly."
"Got it, coach." I jogged toward the ball and scooped it up before moving back to the free-throw line to work on my form. She'd played for my father back in her heyday, and where I hated to admit it, I was jealous that she had. Seeing that I couldn't measure up to shit in my mother's eyes, all I had was my dad left to impress.
"Good thing he loves basketball." I lifted to my toes and sunk another one in before moving around the court and doing it over and over and over again.
By the time I was done, I was covered in sweat, panting and feeling like a million bucks. Maybe going over to the Jolly Fox wasn't such a bad idea. Emily and Micah were good friends. We could just be friends too. Nothing had to change between us other than the fact that we barely spoke.
"Because he makes my insides shake." I wiped my forehead with the back of my arm and walked toward the locker room, thinking about him.
He was a year younger than me, but had been playing for the guy’s team at Providence since his freshman year. He was top pick at his high school and had come to Providence with a heavy load on his shoulders. Everyone expected him to be the best... and he was.
A smile spread across my face as I hit the locker room and pulled my t-shirt over my head. Why he wasn't dating someone like Emily was a complete mystery. He had to be one of the best guys on campus. Combined with his deep green eyes, tanned skin and dark hair...
My heart fluttered inside my chest as my stomach tightened.
"Stop it. Stupid." I pulled my shorts off and sat down on the bench beside me, trying to catch my breath as my mind exploded with possibilities. He might be interested in taking me out to a movie or something, but that was because he didn't know me. I wasn't a nice girl like Emily with a sweet smile and loads of love to splash all over the world. I was glad she was the way she was, but I wasn't anywhere near that type of girl.
There hadn't been a guy who'd caught my attention over the last three years, and I was a little annoyed at myself for letting Micah do it as of late. The only thing we had in common was basketball, and that wasn't nearly enough. I was good by myself where I could avoid heartache or being judged. Someone would eventually find their way into my heart, but it wasn't happening in school where drama was prevalent and guys were immature.
I'd had my share of fuck ups and I wasn't interested in playing the fool anymore. Micah seemed like a nice guy, but the chance of him actually being that guy were slim, and even if he was, I couldn't stand feminine men. Guys that acted more like the girl in a relationship and left me feeling like I was supposed to grow balls and a beard. No thanks.
And yet... I hated an alpha male like nobody’s business.
"Screwed. You're freaking screwed." I got up and pulled off my bra and panties before walking toward the shower. My phone buzzed and I paused. I didn't want to talk to anyone, but if Emily needed me, then I would be compelled to help out. She was the closest thing I had to a best friend.
Letting out a short sigh, I walked back toward the phone and glanced down to see that it was Emily.
"What's up? You guys still at the Fox?" I put the phone to my ear and closed my eyes.
Make it quick. Make it quick.
"No. We're headed to the hospital. Stupid fucking foam. What a stupid idea to have foam all over the dance floor. How many people have busted their butts on that crap?" Emily sounded far more pissed than scared. Whatever happened must not have been too bad.
"What happened?" I brushed my hair back and picked up my towel to cover myself in case someone walked in.
"Micah slipped and busted his wrist. The fall knocked him out. He's coming to, but is bleeding at the back of his head. I'm scared about his wrist. It's July and basketball practices start in a few months. He'll be fine. Right?" The fear I'd been expecting entered her voice.
"Shit. Are you serious?" My pulse spiked as I imagined the worst.
"Yeah. I'll keep you in the loop. I just didn't want you going up to the Fox and not finding us."
"All right. I'm going to shower and then I'll see where you guys are. I'll head your way the minute I'm done."
"Okay. See you soon."
I dropped the call only to notice a message on my phone. Without checking the number, I pressed play and cringed. There was only one person in the world that left me feeling like a complete and utter disappointment. My mother.
"Natasha. This is your mom. I know you're busy, but when you have a chance, please come by the house for a short visit. I just need to go over a few things with you. Thanks."
No 'I love you' or 'I miss you' or 'Hope you're doing well'.
"Fat chance." I deleted the message and dropped my phone in my bag before jogging toward the shower. Providence University might love their strict, award-winner Dance Dean, but I hated her. I'd turned eighteen three years ago, and the minute I did... I was out of her house. We'd barely spoken since then, and I didn't plan on letting that change anytime soon.
Chapter 3
Two Months Later
Micah
"Ugh. This fucking class." Dillon Coleman dropped his test on my desk and pressed his hands to his face. "I hate school so much. Remind me why I transferred to this shit hole."
I chuckled and picked it up. The 62 on the front of it was in a dark red that screamed failure. I couldn't help but laugh again as I tossed it back to him.
Dr. Abbott handed me my test and nodded. "Mr. Sanders. Best score in the class, as per usual. Congratulations."
"Thanks." I glanced down at the 103 on my test and tossed it at Dillon. "You start helping me keep the Omega House clean, and I'll tutor you in economics."
He grabbed my test and lifted it to his face before groaning. "You're such a nerd. I'm jealous. Why do I have to be such a jock all the time?"
"Hey. Watch it," Brody Jackson called out from a few rows behind us.
"Or what? You'll tackle me in Eco class? Meat head. I swear. Ask for grass-fed beef, eh?" Dillon rolled his eyes and tossed my test back toward me. "So define cleaning up the house and I'll consider your offer."
I shook my head. "You have to have this class to get your business degree."
"No shit, Sherlock. I'm feeling the heat right now."
"And you transferred because our swim program was much better than the po-dunk shit you were doing in Wyoming. Stop whining and start studying more." I leaned back in my seat and took a deep breath. If I didn't love basketball so much, I would truly turn into the nerd half the guys gave me shit over being. I loved business classes, and much like my father, I would own something of my own eventually and help foster it into becoming a world class enterprise. That's where I would stop the likenesses with my old man though. I would make sure no matter what that I was home to see my family and help raise my kids. My wife wouldn't ever have to look for the affection of another man, because I would be there... all the fucking time. I'd be there so much I'd get on everyone’s nerves with my very presence.
"What the hell are you smiling about? I'm drowning over here and our quarterback is in the back of the room threatening to beat us both up. Stop daydreaming and help me out." Dillon popped me in the chest and gave me a cocky smile. His dark Italian looks gave him an advantage over the girls from what I could tell, but unlike Jacob-the-ex-whore, he didn't seem to care too much about dating or sleeping around. I didn't know enough about him to figure out why.
"You
have nothing to worry about with Brody. I watched Jacob put a hurting on him a few months back. He's got a big mouth and a fat wallet, but that's about it."
"Lucky bastard." Dillon glanced back and winked.
I chuckled. "Don't go inviting the asshole to dance with you, because he will. You might not be as tough as Jacob. Might get your ass handed to you."
"I'm on the swim team. I work out." He brushed his hands down his chest as a naughty look covered his face.
I pretended to gag. "You're an idiot, and you're in charge of cleaning up after the next Omega party. I put the schedule together last weekend." I lifted my wrapped up hand into the air. "I'm still not able to use this thing yet. You're helping out."
"How did you land house-wife position at the house anyway? You're stockier than most of the guys there and definitely seem to be next in line once Jacob graduates for the president position."
"It's just part of who I am. My folks were busy when I was growing up, so I took care of myself and my little sister, Lyndsay." I shrugged and turned to the front of the room. "Shut up asking questions and pay attention. This is why you're failing."
"No. I'm failing because Economics makes little to no sense. Raise the price when people want too much of the shit you're selling? Are you crazy?" He scoffed and I had to hold back a sarcastic remark.
"All right class. Let's get started." Dr. Abbott turned to face the board as a paper airplane landed in my lap.
I glanced back, but couldn't tell who sent it my way. After unwrapping it, a smile spread across my face. Midnight Madness was next week. I'd been working to heal my wrist as best I could for the last two months after cracking the growth plate at the Jolly Fox, and I was almost there. Whether I would be ready for our kick-off pep-rally for the basketball season was a mystery, but I'd done all I could to try and get there. The rest was up to fate as far as I was concerned.
Dillon leaned over and snatched the flyer from my desk. "Hell yes. I love this time of the year. You gonna be able to start up in a few weeks?"
"I think so." I glanced back up toward the front of the room. I hated that I was a stickler for the rules, but I was. "Shut up and pay attention."
"Why? It's not like I'm going to get anything out of this."
"You might if you listened." I took the flyer back and tucked it into my bag. "You gonna be able to come see some of the games this fall?"
"Yeah. Swimming already started, but most of the meets will be on Saturdays this fall. Your games are on Thursday?"
"They move around." My shoulders stiffened as Dr. Abbott glanced around toward me and Dillon. I didn't have time to warn him to shut up again.
"Awesome. I'm going to-"
Dr. Abbott cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Mr. Coleman. Did you have something you wanted to add to our discussion over the inflation rate?"
"Absolutely." Dillon turned to face the professor and pressed his forearms to his desk. "It's important to put your savings in a money market fund or something that garnishes a reasonable rate of interest. Otherwise, inflation will gobble up any hopes of making your money work for you. Kinda like I'm going to gobble up a burger when we get out of here."
Dillon lifted his fingers to his lips and acted like he were biting into a burger.
The class chuckled, and Dr. Abbott smirked and turned back to the board. "I hate to say it, but our resident water-head is right. Inflation is an unruly mechanism used to keep us poor and the government running."
I glanced over at Dillon and shook my head. "You just act dumb, don't you?"
"Nope. I watched the news this morning while Jacob gave everyone the riot act over having a rat in the house. It just happened to be stuck on Money Matters." He chuckled. "I get lucky from time to time, just not often enough."
I faced the front and tried to get into the lecture, but found myself drifting back to the all-encompassing fear that my basketball career wouldn't be the same. With my growth-plate cracked and pain shooting up my arm every time I'd practiced over the last few weeks, it felt like my chances of catching a scout’s eye over the next year was dim. It was a good damn thing I had one more year after this one, but still, something about not being the best of the best nagged at me.
My phone buzzed and I glanced down to see a text from Jacob that the campus police wanted to meet with us later that afternoon. I let out a short sigh and ignored Dillon as he peppered me with questions over what had me dropping down into a mood.
Dropping down into a mood?
Hell, I felt like most of the time I was trying to climb up out of one. Loneliness had a way of doing that to a person. At least it did to me.
*
"This is getting so old. You know that?" I glanced over at my best friend as we walked toward the campus police department.
"I realize that. I already told you that we have to get strategic about this. Our best defense is a fucking offense, but we've been so busy with school starting and the new recruits and shit, we haven't had time to really think through how to catch this bastard."
"Part of the problem is that everything has been fine at the house for the last two months. If there's a rat at the Omega House, he's a smart one. He lays low at the right time and rises up about the time we relax from the last strike." I reached out and held the door open to the police building. "Let me do the talking unless they direct a question your way. You're a fucking hot head with little respect for anyone."
"No, I just say it like it is."
"Right, keep that to yourself today. All right?" I gave him a stern look and was almost surprised when he rolled his eyes and nodded.
"Fine, but when we get out of here, you and I are coming up with a plan."
"Agreed." I moved up to the counter as an older woman glanced up and gave me a tight smile.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, Ma'am. We're from the Omega Fraternity. We were asked to come by to speak to-" I glanced back at Jacob.
"You want me to talk now? The puppet can move his mouth?"
I glared at him. "Keep it up."
"Sergeant Barker asked us to come by." He turned and walked toward the waiting room chairs, dropping down.
"He'll be right with you boys." The woman glanced down toward her computer as I turned back toward her.
"Great. Thank you." I walked over to take the seat beside him. "What's up your ass today?"
"Nothing, man. I'm just sick of this shit. I have no clue what we're walking into. Between all the drama last month at my final tournament and whatever the hell is going on with Layla, I'm beat, all right?"
I turned a little to really study him. The dark circles under his eyes validated that he was struggling.
"It's going to be fine. You and Emily are good and all that shit is behind you now. You need to make sure you win MVP next year at the summer tournament and the other guy won't try and take your girl to bed."
"I'm not in the mood, Micah," he growled softly and glanced over at me.
I softened my expression. "I'm just kidding. Everything is fine with you guys. What's going on with Layla?"
"She's still showing up with bruises and shit all over her. She's lying about how she's getting them and I'm seriously about to start following her ass. She's missed multiple parties and several of my practices. You know how much she loves hanging out. Something is up." He ran his hands through his hair. Layla Roberts was Aubrey Moore's best friend, but she was something like a little sister to Jacob. They'd been close since I'd met Jacob, and if something was up with Layla, he wouldn't rest until he figured out what.
"Is she dating anyone? I thought she dumped that piece of shit guy last spring."
"Seth Mills?" I hadn't heard anything good about that guy. That he and Layla had dated at all was a surprise to me. "Isn't he captain of the rugby team?"
"Yep. Bunch of sweaty animals. I hate those fuckers." Jacob stood up as the door opened and a cop walked out.
"I'm Sergeant Barker. This way, boys." He nodded, turned on his heel and walked down
the hall.
I caught the door just before it closed and held it for Jacob.
"You talk. I'll probably just start throwing over tables and head-butting people." Jacob moved in front of me and let out a long sigh.
"Well, if it's me or the cop, can you head-butt him first so I have some warning?"
A chuckle reached me as Jacob nodded. "Yep. Anything for you, buddy. Anything for you."
Chapter 4
Natasha
"Can you believe the leaves are starting to turn already? It's too early." Emily dipped a French fry in her ketchup and glanced up at me and Clara Russell.
"The weather has a mind of its own." I lifted my hands to the ceiling and bent over a little each way, stretching out my back. Emily turned as if looking for someone.
"My chemistry teacher has a mind of his own too. I swear he grades on a curve no matter what. How is anyone supposed to learn anything that way?" Disgust swept across Clara's pretty face as she scowled.
"What do you care? You're probably the reason the curve is steeper." I smirked. She was a brain and a half and by far the most proper girl I'd ever met. My mother would love her. She belonged in a ballet class and not swimming her guts out in an Olympic pool, but like me, she fought against society’s expectations and did what she loved.
"This is true." She shrugged as Emily turned back around.
"Aubrey was going to meet us for lunch." She let out a short sigh. "I'm worried about her."
"Why? I saw her yesterday running on the track. She looked great and seemed to be in a good mood." I reached over and snagged a French fry off Emily's plate. The school cafeteria wasn't the best place to grab a bite to eat, but with everyone rushing off to their next class, it would have to do.
"Yeah, but she misses Lucas. Can you blame her?" Emily pushed her plate toward me. "If Jacob left for a year, I'd have to think about going with him."
"You guys just started dating." Clara glanced over at Em. "Don't you think it's a little too soon to be talking about marriage and babies?"