by Natalie Rios
Lia nudges me with her elbow. “You’re awfully quiet over there.”
“Sorry. I was just wondering if this is normal.”
Lia’s brows pinch together. “What? The noise? Can’t be helped when you have a crowd this large.”
“No, the signs. The girls.”
“Oh, the groupies?” Lia sits down and pats me on the leg. “Theo is ridiculously hot and super talented. Of course the groupies love him. Look at Justin Bieber. Dude can’t go anywhere without an army of tweens crying and passing out. Take it as a compliment. You snagged yourself one ridiculously sexy hunk of man meat. You’re the one who slept in his bed last night, not them. At least, I’m assuming that’s where you were last night?”
Rolling my eyes, I bite my lip. “Right. I’m being silly, aren’t I?”
“Pretty much. Besides, this is nothing compared to what it will be like once he goes pro.”
Just like that, my stomach plummets. Yippee. More fun stuff to look forward to.
Suddenly, the crowd roars. Lia hops out of her seat and chants right along with them. “Oh my God!”
“What?” I try to peak at the scoreboard but there are too many bodies in my way.
“Theo just hit a wide receiver for a 41-yard touchdown!”
“He scored again? Nice.”
“Nice? Nice?!” Lia shrieks. Tugging on my hands, she squeezes me into a tight hug. “He just won us the game!”
“It’s over?” Squinting, I look up at the jumbotron where they are replaying Theo’s throw. The ball spirals through the air, arcing perfectly into #85’s waiting hands.
“Yeah, unless the other team manages to score two touchdowns in one minute.”
The video changes to a live feed and it’s a close-up shot of Theo snapping loose his chinstrap. He’s grinning from ear to ear, exchanging high fives with every player he encounters as he jogs off the field. He loves this. It’s obvious from the joy that lights up his face. This isn’t work for Theo, it’s his passion. His calling.
A warm satisfaction washes over me. Pride. I’m proud of Theo and all his accomplishments on the field. Maybe I can learn to love football. I already love watching him move, with such power and grace. Love the way he scans the field, quickly analyzing which receivers are open. And I love watching him cock his arm back, arching the ball thirty or forty yards down field as if it were effortless. Something about the way he moves makes all of my happy places clench.
Lia gives my arm a nudge. “So what’s next? Any plans?”
“Camilla’s meeting that Jax guy at the Kappa party tonight,” I say. “I’m going to be on standby, make sure he’s not an axe murderer or something.”
Lia rubs her hands together in anticipation. “Oooh, count me in. I’ve been dying to meet him. Although, has it occurred to you that if he is an axe murderer, it’s dangerous for you to be there too?”
I give her a sidelong glance. “I don’t really think he’s an axe murderer. Theo knows him so he’s either a Kappa or a football player.”
“Or both.” Her brows furrow together. “Theo hasn’t told you anything about this guy?”
“Just that he doesn’t look like a troll. And he has tats.”
“Tats. Must be a football player then. But which one? I think Theo’s the only one without tats. Or maybe he does have a few?” She waggles her brows at me and I shake my head on a laugh. “Hey, what if it’s on tonight?”
“What’s on?” We’re up and making our way out of the stadium, arms linked together because I do not want to get lost in this massive crowd.
“Camilla putting out, punching her V-card with this Jax guy.”
I snort. “She’s not going to-”
But Lia’s already hopped on the Crazytown Express. “We should grab some condoms just in case. Safety first, right?”
“She’s on the pill, but-”
“You should always use two forms of birth control. Just in case. No Scrubs Palace is not suitable for babies. What if it licks the Love Couch?”
“Lia.” My tone is firm. Hopefully she will listen to me this time. “Camilla is not going to lose her virginity to some guy she just met at a frat party.”
“Except she wouldn’t have just met him, they’ve been texting for months. And she’s been saying she wants to get it over with already.” Wait, what? “As her wingwomen, we should be prepared.”
“That doesn’t sound like Camilla. At all.” Camilla is all for waiting. For love, marriage. Take your pick. Sex is a really big deal for her. “She would never have sex with a stranger.”
Lia shrugs. “Never say never. She got her pubes waxed and everything.”
I choke on air. “Okay, one. Ew. Erase that word from your vocabulary immediately. Two, what in the actual fuck? When did all of this happen?”
“Oh, it’s been brewing all semester. You were too busy tongue fucking Theo to notice. But no worries.” Lia pats herself on the back. “Big Sister Lia’s got this under control.”
Oh dear God.
I wasn’t worried before, but now, I’m downright terrified.
“Your ex is here,” Theo says at my ear.
“My ex?” I frown. Damn, the Kappa house is packed tonight. I’ve been hanging out by the main foyer, where Camilla is supposed to meet up with Jax. But the crowd is so thick, I can’t see the couch she’s sitting on.
“Yeah, Taylor.”
“Oh, you mean the guy you chased away five minutes into our date?”
“It was for your own good. I don’t know why you went out with him in the first place.”
Turning, I arch a brow at him. “It was either go out with him or fuck your brains out.”
He rocks back on his heels, a smug grin slowly spreading across his face. “Obviously you chose wrong.”
“Obviously. Who are all these people?”
Theo shrugs. “Fans. It’s always like this after a game. Kappa’s known as the football house.”
I nod, trying in vain to see over the crowd. Hmm, maybe Theo’s height can come in handy here. “Can you see if Camilla’s still sitting on the couch inside the alcove?”
Theo cranes his neck. “Yeah, she’s on her phone. Shit, it’s crowded in here.”
"I know. How did you even manage to find me?"
"You always stand out to me." My heart pitter-patters as our eyes lock. I open my mouth to respond, but Theo beats me to the punch. "Don't say it."
I don't bother fighting the smile playing at my lips. My arms wrap around his neck, fingers teasing the strands of hair at the base of his neck. "What if I was going to offer to suck your dick?"
And just like that, his expression turns hot and dark. With his hands on my hips, he moves us until my back is up against a wall. His body is flush against mine and I suck in a breath when I feel the hard ridge of his pants.
"You know better than to say stuff like that, Allie Cat." His voice is thick and rich, like molten honey. He grinds his cock against my crotch and my brain short-circuits. Where are we again? What was I supposed to be doing? "Here I am trying to be respectful while we're out in public and you decide to tease me like that."
His hands slip under my t-shirt and bra, thumbs flicking over my sensitive nipples. A deep, needy moan escapes my mouth. Body buzzing with excitement, I stand on my toes and trace his mouth with my tongue. Needing no further invitation, Theo's lips devour mine. He kisses me like he's starving and I'm his only sustenance. So hot and possessive, I'm melting against him. Thank God for his large frame and strong quarterback arms. They are the only things holding me up right now.
He stops mauling my mouth and lets out a deep groan of frustrated need. His gaze roves over me in one hungry, feral sweep. "We’re leaving. My place."
"Hmm," I purr, rolling my hips against his. Yes, me and my soaked panties are 100% onboard with this plan. Except..."Wait. I can't leave yet."
"No?" He’s so disappointed, it’s almost comical.
“Camilla’s meeting Jax tonight. I’m on standby, in case he�
�s a psycho or something.”
Theo cocks a brow. “And what would you do if he is a psycho?”
“Introduce him to the flying chancla of death. Sandal,” I translate, gesturing to my feet, which are actually clad in sneakers, but whatever. Close enough. A true Dominican mother would use whatever is on hand. “But I don’t think it will come to that. He was supposed to be here half an hour ago. Maybe he won’t show.”
“Why didn’t you ask me for help? I’m bigger and scarier than you.”
“Hmm. Good point. Though for all I know, this Jax guy is even bigger than you.”
Theo opens his mouth to say something, but we’re interrupted by a fan. Female. Which happens frequently for the next hour.
It amazes me how many women will shamelessly flirt with Theo, even when it's obvious he's with me. These girls don't just stop by to say hello or congratulate him for the win today. No, they bat their mascara-thickened eyelashes, skim their hands along his biceps, try to slip him their phone numbers. One really bold one even tries to kiss him.
Either I'm invisible or these women don't see me as competition. Both are depressing thoughts.
To Theo’s credit, he doesn’t encourage them. He doesn’t flirt back and jerks away whenever they try to touch him. If they get overly courageous, he wraps his arm around me and promptly introduces me as his girlfriend.
Not that his declarations make the situation any better. Some girls immediately give me the stink eye, whispering behind my back the second they step away. They're probably saying the same thing as that girl during the game: I'm temporary. His flavor of the month. A fad he will soon get over.
I wonder if this what dating him will always be like. Girls fawning over him and me feeling insecure, jealous, and annoyed.
"Hey, T,” a new male voice startles me out of my thoughts. He must be one of Theo’s teammates because, holy shit, is he big. Massive and sporting a full beard, he’s a little intimidating. “Hi. I don't think we've been formally introduced. I'm Benjamin Mosley, but you can call me Mo." Mo. This is the guy Theo took the fall for back in prep school. His beefy hand engulfs mine for a firm shake. "I'm part of your boy's security detail."
Tilting my head, I look up at Theo. "Security detail?"
"He plays left guard," Theo explains. "The guards protect the quarterback from the incoming defensive linemen, who can weigh like 350 pounds so..." Theo playfully punches Mo on the shoulder. "Thanks, man."
"Oh, well in that case, I'm very pleased to meet you. I'm Allie."
"I know," Mo says with a big grin on his face. "Theo talks about you all the time."
I blink at him. Then Theo. Then Mo again. "He does?"
"Oh, yeah. All day. You should hear him. Allie has a 4.0. Allie works two jobs. Allie only drinks coconut milk. Allie likes girly colored gel pens. Allie's a real stickler for time."
A laugh pops out at that last one and I find myself relaxing, my melancholy mood quickly evaporating. "It's because he's always late. I keep offering to teach him how to tell time, but he hasn’t taken me up on my offer."
"Is it true you give him shit?" Mo asks, eliciting a giggle from me and a groan from Theo. "T says you give a lot of shit. Like, ego bursting kind of shit."
"Knock it off," Theo says. His cheeks, I notice, are burning bright red.
But I don't miss a beat. "Every day. And twice on Sunday. Good thing too. All the extra weight from his ego would be hell on his footwork, right?"
Mo laughs, giving Theo a hearty clap on the back that would have probably launched me across the room. He's the same height as Theo, but easily 60 pounds heavier. "I like her. Maybe you can give me some pointers, Allie. There's nothing I love more than giving this guy shit."
I shoot him a wink. "Give me some new material to work with and I'm more than happy to help."
Mo’s eyes light with mischief. “This one time in Cancun-”
"And we're done here," Theo cuts in. "The last thing I need is the two of you joining forces. Have you seen Levi?"
"Left with Poppy like an hour ago. I’m going to grab a beer. You two want anything?”
We shake our heads and bid Mosley goodbye. I’m about to check on Camilla when I get a text.
Camilla: Gave up on Jax. Went to a pre-rush event at Zeta. Spending the night with Lola at the dorms.
Me: Are you okay?
Camilla: Yeah, just don’t feel like talking about it right now.
Me: Are you sure? I’m cool with staying in for a Girls’ Night.
Camilla: I’m fine, I swear. You’re always taking care of me, take a night for yourself.
“What’s up?” Theo asks at my frown.
“Camilla’s spending the night at the dorms.” I get another text. “And Lia’s staying at the Delta house. Something about rush week preparations? Does that sound right?” A part of me is worried she’s lying so she can sneak off with some guy she met on a hook up app. Or worse, Trent the Stalker.
“Rush isn’t until spring, but a lot of the houses do an unofficial rush in fall.” Theo cups my face and I tilt my cheek into his palm. “Stay with me tonight?”
I don’t even have to think about it. “Of course.”
Later, I’m sitting on Theo’s bed, watching him riffle through his dresser. He flashes me a grin before tossing me a shirt. “Since I know you have a thing for him.”
I unfold the shirt and laugh when I spot the Batman logo. “Bruce Wayne always gets me wet.”
“I get you wet. Me and only me, Allie Cat. If I wasn’t so bone-tired, I’d show you just how wet.”
“Cocky,” I singsong as he heads for the bathroom. I take advantage of his absence to change. My stomach gurgles just as I’m crawling back into bed. “Ugh, we should have stopped somewhere for food. I’m starving.”
“Check the fridge,” he calls from the bathroom. “There’s strawberry soy yogurt and coconut milk. And I made pumpkin and peanut butter energy balls yesterday, 100% dairy free.”
“You going vegan on me?”
He steps back into the bedroom, sporting an amused expression. “No, they’re for you. In case you get hungry when you come over.” He reaches the side of the bed and plants a kiss at the top of my head. “I want you to feel comfortable here.”
My heart jolts and stutters inside my chest. Theo gets into bed and curls up next to me so we’re facing each other. “Tell me something,” he says. “Something I don’t know about you. Something surprising.”
I love you. I love you and I’m terrified I’m not enough for you.
I close my eyes and force myself to control my breathing down to a slow, even rate. Clearing my throat, I manage to say, “I actually like the song Never Gonna Give You Up. By Rick Astley? The rickroll song?”
Theo’s brows furrow together. “You like getting rickrolled?”
“No, I like the song. It’s a good song,” I insist at his incredulous expression. “He has a good voice. And have you ever listened to the lyrics? I have the song on my phone-”
“No way! Deal breaker, deal breaker!” His tone is playful, but his face looks genuinely disgusted. “Never admit that to anyone. Jesus. She likes being rickrolled.” He shudders in mock horror. “Masochist, I tell you.”
I laugh. If only being with him could always be this easy.
24
Allie
“OKAY, SO CONUNDRUM.” Camilla flops on the couch next to me. It’s Friday afternoon and we’re sitting on our living room floor, watching old movies and scrolling through Tinder profiles. Not for ourselves, but for Lia. Camilla figures if we find her someone new and better looking, Lia will forget all about Trent the Stalker.
One can dream.
“Yes, you should stop texting Jax. What about this guy?” I hold up my phone to show off the prospective match.
“Ha, no. That ship has sailed.” Hallelujah. “It’s about rush. Also, pass. He has a beard.”
Frowning, I study the guy’s chin. “It’s not wild and bushy though. Thick, full, and perfectly framin
g his jaw. Like if a lumberjack had sex with Ryan Gosling. Kinda sexy, right? And I thought freshmen can’t rush until spring semester?”
Camilla flicks the tip of my nose. “Not officially, but everyone knows bids are determined at pre-rush, which was last week. I’ve been offered bids at both Delta and Zeta. And yeah, he’s sexy. I would totally marry him and have his hot bearded babies, but we’re looking for Lia. You know she has an irrational fear of beard rash.”
Ah, yes. Lia swears all beards are scratchy. Fuzzy, prickly, and likely to chafe. I don’t think this opinion is based on experience. More likely, it’s an assumption Lia is taking as an empirical fact.
She does that a lot.
“Fine.” I swipe left. “So you got two bids. What’s the problem?”
“I want to pledge Zeta, but I feel bad because Lia’s a Delta and I know she wanted me to pledge there. She went through so much trouble introducing me to her sisters. And I’m so grateful for all of her help, you know? But I guess I’m not sure how to break the news to Lia.”
“Break what news to me?” Lia enters the room with her phone in hand.
I nudge Camilla. “Just tell her. Rip the Band-Aid off.”
“Ugh. Fine!” Camilla takes a deep breath. “I’m pledging Zeta.”
Lia doesn’t even blink. “Okay. Hey, Al, have you checked Instagram today?”
Camilla and I exchange a look. I wasn’t expecting a drawn out production, but I was expecting something. The girl harped on my coffee splattered shirt for an entire day at the beginning of the semester.
“Did you hear what I said?” Camilla asks.
“Yeah.” But Lia’s not even looking at Camilla. “Have you checked Instagram today?”
Her tone, flat and perfectly devoid of emotion, scares me more than anything else. “No…why? What’s going on?”
Lia clutches her phone against her chest. “You know how Theo has that hashtag for you? The one he uses to post workout pictures?”
Her question only confuses me even more. This is about #AllieCat?
“Romantic, right?” Camilla sighs. “It’s like he’s claiming you with each post.”