Austin moved back, holding his hands up.
“I’m not wanting to cause any roommate tension.”
“Good. Then you should leave,” Jocelyn said.
“Jocelyn! That was uncalled for. Apologize!”
“Whatever, Brooke. I warned you I was going to watch my shows in here. If you two don’t like it, you can be the ones to leave.”
I turned to Austin, disappointment on my face.
“Can we pick this up some other time, please?”
“Sure.”
He turned to glare at Jocelyn then stood up.
“I’ll call you soon. It’s just that I think I remembered I have a pop-quiz tomorrow, and I need to study.”
He nodded.
“See you, Brooke.”
As he walked toward the door, I thought about jumping up and chasing after him. He left before I acted, shutting the door behind him. It sounded so final.
I spun my head to Jocelyn. She had a self-satisfied smile on her face.
“You’re a bitch,” I said.
“I’m protecting you, Brooke. He just wants one thing from you.”
“How would you know?” I shouted as I stood up. “Just leave me alone, okay? This might be our last semester together.”
“We have to be roomies,” she cried.
“I’m not in the mood.”
I stormed past her and into my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.
What the hell is her problem? I wondered as I fell back-first on my bed. Laying across it sideways, I stared up at the ceiling and wondered what must be going through Austin’s mind. After all the resistance I’d shown, he would surely move on to the next woman.
Fuck my life.
SEVEN
Austin
The next morning, I woke up half-an-hour early to get an extra mile or two in on my run. Part of it had to do with the pizza I’d consumed the night before, but I also wanted time alone to sort through my thoughts. Brooke had appeared in my dreams.
At least I thought it was her. I’d woken up with a raging boner, something that hadn’t happened in a long time. Now, running along a walking trail that circled the entire campus, I tried to piece together why she attracted me so damn much.
I came up with no answers, just like the night before when she had asked me. We had gotten closer to sleeping together, but I wondered if even that would help get her out of my mind. As I neared the School of Architecture building, I saw trouble.
Derek and a few of his frat brother friends stood on the path, blocking my way. I thought briefly about simply running around them, but that would only embolden them.
As a football player, I wasn’t supposed to get in trouble, and I didn’t want to risk injury, but I had to stick up for myself, not to mention Brooke. Ten yards away, I stopped, jogging in place with a smile on my face. I always liked to try humor first. It makes confrontation more fun.
“Hey, fellas, care to join me? You’re not dressed for it, but you all look a bit soft.”
“Keep laughing,” Derek said with a smug grin on his face. “You should know I talked to your coach. He’s not happy with you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s your word against mine. Coach trusts me. He doesn’t know shit about you fools.”
“Watch your mouth,” Derek said then peered to the left and right for reassurance from his friends.
I stopped jogging.
“Look, we got off to the wrong foot. I’m being more than kind with this bullshit. You were about to attack a woman…”
“We were drunk,” he interrupted. “It didn’t mean anything. We wouldn’t have gone through with it.”
“She was asking for it,” someone else said.
Take down their leader and the rest will scatter.
I braced myself, ready to pounce and strike Derek. He stared me down.
“Let’s go, guys. We’re done here.”
“That’s right,” I said, swinging back my shoulder as if I were about to hit him.
He flinched. I laughed and ran through them.
“Talk to your coach!” Derek yelled.
I raised a hand in the air, flipping him the bird.
They were just joking around, I told myself. By the time I got back to gym, though, I found myself walking toward his office, wondering if they had in fact talked to him. They didn’t bother me, but it pissed me off they had practically assaulted Brooke the other night. I didn’t want them to get away with any more bullshit.
As I approached the door, I heard him yelling. Trey walked out a moment later, his head bent. He shook it as he passed.
“He wants to see you too.”
“What about?” I asked.
“Get in here, Austin!”
Fucking frat boys.
EIGHT
Austin
I walked into the office. Coach glanced up at me with the same look of disgust he usually wore, even when we won games. He didn’t say anything as I sat down at a hard, wooden seat in front of his desk.
“You going to be ready for this next game?”
“Yes, Coach.”
No frat-boys?
“Good. I hear your grades are up, and I’ve heard you’re not partying hard. Who’s this new girl you’ve been hanging out with?”
I did my best to mask my emotions.
“Girl, Coach?”
“Come on, you know what the hell I’m talking about. Trey gave you up to get out of trouble.”
That fucker…
“It’s not serious, Coach,” I lied.
He read me like a play-book.
“Tell me the truth. She going to distract you?”
“No, Coach. It’s under control. Football first. Always.”
“Damn straight,” he said then glanced down at a printed spreadsheet. “Your stats are looking solid, but I want you to try to push yourself a bit farther this next game. Can you do that, son?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Why the hell do all of you guys say my name every time you answer?”
I cracked a smile.
“I’m not sure, Coach.”
He waved a hand through the air in front of him.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. I’m too damn old, but I want one more big win.”
“We’re going to deliver it this year, Coach.”
“Well, make sure you’re not spending too much time chasing tail.”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Get the hell out of here,” he said. “Remember, give me double.”
I stood and walked out of his office, determined to find Trey and give him a piece of my mind. If Coach thought I was fucking around with a social life, he would stop helping me do my absolute best and increase my chances of hitting the pros after I graduated.
Many players like me dreamed of hitting it big, even if the average career of a football player was only about five or six years at most. And most of us had no chance of making pro. I believed I would make it, and that made me special.
Coach saw my potential, and I didn’t want to let him down. At the same time, a little down-time with Brooke wouldn’t be a bad thing. When I walked into the locker room, I saw Trey sitting on a bench, waiting for me. He stood up, holding out a palm.
“Calm down, buddy. He tricked it out of me.”
“You need to mind your own damn business,” I said, walking over.
The other players crowded around us.
“I don’t go around blabbing your secrets.”
“You don’t know any of my secrets,” he said.
“Oh, no? How about what happened at the Med-Center.”
His eyes widened.
“Who told you?”
I grinned, still having no idea, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Was it Brooke?”
“No, it wasn’t,” I said. “You ratted me out to Coach. That’s what we’re talking about here.”
His demeanor changed instantly. He put a hand on
my shoulder. I glanced over at it then back to his face, looking him straight in the eyes.
“I’m sorry, man. Coach is all over me, and…”
“It’s fine,” I said, cutting him off. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
“Get a fucking room, you two,” someone yelled.
The others laughed then wandered away.
“You getting suited up?”
“Yeah, yeah, give me a minute,” I said. “I’ve got to make a call.”
“That damn Brooke is going to ruin your future,” he warned.
“Let me worry about that, alright?”
I stepped away and pulled out my phone to call Brooke. She answered right away.
“Hey, Austin. What’s up? I just got out of class.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I ran into Derek and his goons again today.”
“How’d that go?” She asked as if she already knew the answer.
“I took care of it. Hey, I think we should talk about my goals.”
“Your goals?”
“What I want to do with my life after I graduate.”
“You’re going pro, aren’t you?”
“That’s the dream, but I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
“You’re going to make it,” she said confidently.
I smiled, loving her support.
“We could hang out later tonight.”
“Hang out?”
“You know, see where the night takes us,” I added quietly so my teammates wouldn’t hear.
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ll come by after I clean up after practice.
“Make it after eight. Jocelyn will be gone by then.”
“I’ll see you tonight, Brooke.”
“Bye, Austin.”
I ended the call, feeling confident in my plan to rid myself of the pesky woman. Once we had sex, I’d be able to get her out of my head and be able to concentrate on more important things, like football and going pro.
The thought of going to hang out with Brooke later that night and having my way with her made me work even harder on the field as we played a full scrimmage game.
Coach yelled at us from the sideline whether we executed a play perfectly or not. When I noticed him watching me closely, I made sure to put in some extra effort. Thanks to Trey, he would be keeping an eye on me throughout the season. As a star, I had to keep proving myself to my teammates, the fans, and especially Coach.
No pressure.
NINE
Brooke
After Austin ended the call, I put my hand on my lap and looked over at Jocelyn on the couch.
“You’re working at eight tonight, right?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, why? Your new boyfriend coming over again?”
“What are you, twelve years old?”
I rolled my eyes as she stood up and walked over.
“I’ve got to get to class. I’ll talk to you tomorrow if I don’t see you,” I said, avoiding her.
“You’re not coming back before I leave for work?”
“I don’t think I’m coming back that early. I’ve got a few things I need to do before tonight.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow then.”
I left the apartment and headed toward campus. With Austin coming over that night, I wanted to make sure I had a pair of fresh panties, something nice in case we went all the way. I still wasn’t sure if I was ready to let him or not.
He probably had women sleeping with him on the first date or within ten minutes of meeting him. His hard body made me swoon, and I still hadn’t seen him completely. I remembered the sound of him coming on the phone. I could only imagine what that would be like with his body pressed hard against mine.
When I made it to the main strip in the center of campus, I approached the Ladies Night lingerie shop. Before I made it to the door, I saw Trey approaching from the other way. Should I slip into another store and come back later?
Too late.
“Brooke!” he called out while raising his hand and walking over.
“Hey, Trey. How’s your knee?”
“I thought you said you weren’t going to tell anyone what happened,” he hissed. “What’s your deal?”
“What do you mean? I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Austin said you told him.”
I shook my head. What did Austin’s big mouth say now?
“He’s lying to you, then.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, staring into my eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I snapped. “I keep my word.”
“Then how did he find out? Why did he say that?”
“I’m not sure, but it sounds like he’s fucking with you.”
“If what happened got out, I’d be the laughing stock on campus.”
“It’s not really a big deal, Trey.” Poor choice of words? “I mean, you popped a boner while I was examining your knee. It’s not the first time that happened and it won’t be the last.”
I stifled a laugh.
“It’s not funny,” he said, glancing around nervously. “Just don’t tell anyone, okay?”
I nodded, not saying a word.
“Okay. I’m trusting you.”
“You’re making a mountain out of a molehill,” I said then giggled.
“That’s not funny,” he said. “My dick is normal sized.”
“Uh huh,” I said, stifling a laugh.
He looked around. “I’d never be seriously interested in someone like you anyway. No football player would be.”
Ouch. Why the hell is he getting so mean?
“Are you done?” I asked, pretending his words didn’t affect me at all.
“I’m serious. You better not say anything, okay?”
“Don’t threaten me, Trey.”
“I’m not threatening you.”
“Sounds like it to me. Veiled threats.” I looked him dead in the eyes. “I’ll not tell anyone your dick is average-sized. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Fuck you,” he said then walked past me as if I didn’t even exist.
Asshole, I thought as I opened the door to Ladies Night. It was so weird because I thought Trey was one of the good guys. He certainly seemed to be when we were rehabbing his knee all summer. Not my type, but nice nonetheless.
Inside, the aroma of sugar, spice and everything nice hit my nose immediately. I hadn’t bought lingerie in a long time, but I’d pretty much decided I would sleep with Austin if he wanted me, at least once. He probably didn’t even want to. He probably only wanted the chase, he had plenty of trophies.
“Can I help you?” a woman no older than me asked.
“I’m just browsing,” I said. “But I am going to buy something.”
She smiled.
“You’re fine.”
As she walked away, I browsed the various lace panties, looking for something to drive him wild when he laid eyes on them. I wondered how many women he had been with over the years. Was I just another conquest for him? Maybe sleeping with him would be a mistake?
I settled on a nice pair of dark blue panties. The entire front was lace, which would give him a teaser view. Shit, I should shave for tonight, I thought as I walked toward the counter. After paying for them, I went outside and placed the bag in my backpack before heading to class.
On my way, nervousness and joy mixed themselves together in my mind with my body reacting appropriately. No matter what happened, I deserved a night of fun with a hot stud, the star of the football team. I smiled to myself when I reached the Medical Sciences building.
Inside, the hustle and bustle of all the other students didn’t affect me in the least. I walked through the crowd with only one thing on my mind – letting a powerful and hot man have his way with me later that night. Was I ridiculous for wanting him so bad?
I pushed that thought away as I found a seat in the lecture hall near the back. Paying attention would
be difficult, but I had to focus. My number one goal was to get a degree and find a good job after graduation. Within ten years, I would open my own sports medicine practice.
That was the plan. Austin would be a simple stress release for me, something enjoyable but nothing to take seriously. After he had me once, he would act like most men with his good looks and go away, on to the next one. Class started, and I found it difficult to concentrate on the day’s lesson, which happened to be about treating men with testicle injuries. The pictures used for the lecture did not make it easy for me to keep my mind off Austin.
As the professor explained how to work your way around a man’s junk, I couldn’t help but think about how later I’d be doing just that. The difference was, he’d be working his way around me too.
TEN
Brooke
Eight o’clock on the dot, I heard a knock on the door. After downing the last of my second glass of wine, I stashed the empty glass behind the couch.
On the way over to the door, I pulled my pink tee-shirt down, wondering if it was too tight. Would he think I was trying too hard?
I took a deep breath then unlocked the door. Trying to act cool, I opened it. Austin stood on the porch wearing jeans and a red Buffalo State sweatshirt.
“Can I come in? It’s getting chilly out here.”
“Sure.” I unlocked the screen door.
He opened it and walked inside, brushing against my breasts as he passed.
“Jocelyn’s not here, is she?”
“No,” I said as I closed the door and locked it. “She’s gone for the rest of the night. Well, until midnight or one, but I doubt you’ll be here that late.”
“I’m not, am I?”
He flashed me a view of those perfectly white and straight teeth. How was it possible for one man to be so right in so many different ways?
“We’ll see.”
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day. Did you want to talk about something? Your football career?”
“Nah, I’m good, but I did want to see you and hang out.”
“How about a game of Madden? If I stomp your ass, you owe me something special.”
“And if I beat you?”
“I’ll give you something special.”
“I don’t get to pick?”
I shook my head. “Game?”
6+ Us Makes Eight: A Teacher and Single Dad Romance (Baby Makes Three) Page 62