The Tip-Off: A Smart Jocks Novel

by Jenshak, Rebecca

  “So, where does that leave you two? Are you dating?”

  “We’re hanging out. Casual fun.” I force an air of insignificance into my tone and avoid eye contact.

  I can feel her intense stare and know she wants to say more, but I warn her off. “I don’t want to make a big deal of it. We’re just having fun until he leaves. I’ll get to start my senior year with some experiences, just like I always wanted.”

  “Well, good. Actually, I’m glad to hear you say that. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “Exactly, me either.” I sit straighter and force a big smile. “So, on to more important topics, I need your advice, not as my friend but as Valley’s career resource expert.”

  “Shoot.” She crosses her arms over her chest and sits back.

  “I’m thinking about switching majors.”

  “To what?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I don’t understand.” Her mouth pulls into a straight line, but her tone remains soft and understanding. “You’re almost done with your business degree. You’re not going to apply to the MBA program?”

  “No, I’m not. Please don’t be mad at me,” I rush before I lose my nerve. “I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure.”

  “I’m not mad. I’m sad we won’t be taking the same classes, though. And who will I go into business with?”

  “You don’t need me or anyone else. You’re going to rock a startup all on your own and I’ll be there to cheer you on the whole way.”

  A real smile reaches her eyes. “What are you thinking of switching majors to?”

  “Art, maybe, or marketing, I’m not sure. That’s why I’m here, so you can help me figure it out.”

  Her eyes light up. “Ooooh, this could be fun.”

  Blair hooks me up with about a dozen different career placement tests and a stack of books on choosing a career.

  “Want to come over tonight and drink wine while I uncover my perfect career?”

  “I can’t tonight. Tomorrow?”

  “Sure, my future can wait until then.” I stand. “Wanna grab lunch at University Hall?”

  She looks around. “Why not. My shift goes for another ten minutes, but let’s be honest, no one else is coming to see me today.” Her phone pings. “It’s Wes. I’m going to tell the guys to meet us there.”

  A little thrill at seeing Zeke shoots through me, which I ignore. “Cool.”

  We’ve just grabbed a table when they walk into University Hall. Wes slides in next to Blair and Zeke hovers at my side.

  “Hey.” I scoot over so he can take a seat.

  It’s awkward for all of two seconds until he places a large open palm on my leg and squeezes and drops his mouth to mine.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he murmurs as he pulls his lips away.

  I’m certain I’m blushing, and I can feel Blair and Wes watching, but screw it. I wrap my arms around his neck, claiming him in front of whoever cares enough to see, and kiss him again. It’s the last week of classes before finals, so our time hanging out like this on campus, or anywhere really, is closing in fast. I’m making the most of every opportunity.

  “I can’t stay,” he says. “I promised Malone I’d meet him at the gym.”

  “Can I come watch you work out?”

  “Sure. Prepare to be bored, though.”

  Bored watching him? Is he crazy? “I think I’ll manage to stay entertained.”

  He grins, a boyish smile that may or may not make my stomach do a little flip. I’m pleading the fifth.

  As we stand to leave, Blair calls after me. “Don’t forget, Vanessa and I are moving our stuff in on Thursday morning.”

  “I won’t forget. I may even carry a box or two.”

  She snorts. “I’m not holding my breath.” Then she squeezes Wes’ arm. “That’s why I have a boyfriend. To lift heavy things and reach items on the top shelf.”

  At Ray Fieldhouse, I park myself on the sideline and pull out my economics textbook. I don’t need to study for my online final exam, I know it backward and forwards, but if I just gawk at Zeke for the next couple hours, he might get creeped out. Still, it’s hard to look away.

  Malone uses some sort of pad like a shield and pushes against Zeke’s back. Zeke has the ball and forces his way backward, shuffling his feet and spinning to try and get around Malone. Malone is fast and blocks Zeke at every turn. Power and determination etch Zeke’s features. He’s bigger than Malone and if they were under the basket could probably just shoot over his head, but Zeke never looks to take a shot, they just move up and down the court over and over until I’m tired just watching them work so hard.

  I’m fending off a yawn when they call it. Zeke walks over to me, sweat dripping from him and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He moves in to give me a sweaty bear hug. I shriek but don’t really care. Actually, I think it’s kinda hot.

  “Did you just lick my chest?”

  “Mayyybe.”

  “You never cease to amaze me.”

  “Is that a good thing?” I ask hopefully.

  He grabs my bag from the floor and takes my hand. “Yeah, it’s a good thing.”

  31

  Zeke

  We go to my place so I can get ready for my flight tomorrow. After a shower, I’m packing while Gabby sits on my bed with her laptop open in front of her. She’s put on a pair of glasses that I’ve never seen her wear, but hello sexy librarian, and has a look of deep concentration.

  “You studying?”

  “Sort of,” she responds without looking up.

  I re-count the boxers and pairs of socks already in my bag and then toss in a hand full of workout gear. My suit is already in the garment bag hanging from the door so I don’t forget it.

  The combine lasts several days and selected players from all over the country will be there. Sara and I went back and forth about my going. It’s an honor to be invited, only about sixty players total, but whereas it's an opportunity for some players to showcase their talents, it’s also an opportunity for players to drop from a team’s radar. It’s almost all downside for me since I’m already getting the attention and consideration from teams, but I want to prove I’m worthy of the number one pick and I also want to show these teams that I’ve leaned out a bit. All those cardboard meals can’t have been for naught.

  “How flexible are you?”

  “Decent.” My mind goes to the flexibility and agility tests I’ll be undergoing. I’ve practiced them over and over, I know I’m where I need to be, but until Sunday when I’m on a plane back to Valley, I’m not going to stop wondering if I’ve done enough and if it’s a huge mistake to be going at all.

  “Any preferences on standing versus sitting?”

  I grab a pair of compression shorts and tights and add them to the bag. “Standing or sitting? What do you mean?”

  I’ve got my back turned to her, setting my packed bag by the door when she answers. “For sex. I was thinking this looked fun, what do you think?”

  I face her, processing the words as I do. Her blonde hair has fallen over one shoulder as she leans over the laptop that is now rotated so I can see the screen. She presses a button and suddenly my room is filled with cheesy porn music and some girl moaning like she’s, well, a porn star. My gaze flies to the screen where a chick with giant boobs is being held against a wall by a creepy AF looking dude who pounds into her while simultaneously sucking a nipple.

  When I can speak past my surprise, I ask, “What were the other options?” I’m hella curious what else she’s been watching while I packed my bag completely oblivious.

  Her eyes light up and she quickly navigates to another video. This one features the same chick. This time she’s bouncing on a guy’s lap. The dude, as creepy as the last one, is reclined back in a big La-Z-Boy chair and he’s looking past her, presumably to a TV since instead of the porn music it’s a football game announcer talking Green Bay stats.

  “Or…” Again she takes control of the keyboard
and switches to another video.

  “Definitely no,” I say and shake my head at the video of some sort of wheelbarrow sex. The chick looks miserable trying to hold up her own weight in a push-up position while the guy stands behind her, holding her thighs and driving into her. I’m all for mixing things up, but I don’t want the girl I’m banging to be grimacing and counting the seconds until I come because there’s no way she’s getting off like that.

  “Does that also mean no standing doggy style?”

  She sounds so disappointed that I can’t help but laugh. “You know what, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll try them all if that’s what you want.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, it’s gonna be a real burden, but I’ll manage.” I take the laptop, close it and set it on my desk. Then I join her on the bed and pull her onto my lap.

  “Where should we start?” she asks as she wraps her arms around my neck.

  “Could start with getting naked.”

  I left my shirt off after I showered so I’m most of the way there, but Gabby is wearing entirely too many clothes. I reach for the hem of her shirt and feel her stiffen. Shit, I completely forgot her hesitancy to take off her shirt. I’ve seen her scars, but I respect her desire to keep them covered during sex. As eager as she is to try it all, she’s a constant contradiction of reckless and afraid. Eager and reserved.

  So, I skip the shirt and draw her to me. I take her mouth and kiss her until she relaxes in my arms. Gabby kisses with her entire body. She presses into me and pulls me closer all while drinking me in with such desire it stirs a feeling inside of me that I’ve never felt. I like kissing her, bringing out the passion in her and giving it right back in turn.

  When kissing isn’t enough, I undo her shorts and she scoots off me so I can pull them down and then get rid of mine as well. I grab a condom from the nightstand and cover myself while she watches. When I’m done, she climbs back on me and lets out a little moan when my dick nudges at her pussy. She rises slightly and lines me up, sinking down before I’m sure she’s ready.

  “This angle is kind of intense. Go slow.”

  She nods once and rolls her bottom lip behind her teeth. Gradually she lowers herself onto me as I whisper encouragement and make sure she knows it’s okay to give her body time to adjust. When she’s taken me to the hilt, her body quivers.

  “You’re squeezing me like a vise. So damn tight,” I mumble into the nape of her neck and kiss the sensitive spot just above her collarbone.

  She lifts her hips slightly and then asks, “How am I supposed to move like this?”

  I move my hands to her hips and lift her inch by inch to the tip and then start to bring her down just as slowly. “You’re not.”

  “Oooh,” she says. “None of the work and all the enjoyment.”

  “That’s right. Relax and let me make you feel good, sweetheart.”

  The position and the control I have over her body brings me close faster than I’d like. When I can’t take it anymore, I lift her until my dick slips out and we both groan at the loss.

  “Turn around,” I instruct and then help her maneuver so she’s facing away. “That’s it. Now same thing, but this time move your feet up so they’re underneath your knees and you can help set the tempo. If your legs get tired, then just lean back.”

  At first, we’re out of sync, she’s trying to go fast and I’m forcing her slow, but we’re two ambitious people with a common goal and soon we’re moving together, and I can feel her trembling around me and her breaths coming faster, moans are the soundtrack of the moment.

  The position lacks the intimacy I dig with her, so I lift her shirt in the back to access some skin. I’ve just gotten it to the middle of her back when I see the scars from her side and realize they spread around on her back, too. I gently kiss her spine and increase the speed in which I lift and thrust into her.

  I don’t want it to be over. I want to be the guy who helps her discover every position, every sensation. “Ready to try standing?” I whisper in her ear.

  She turns her head and looks at me, eyes wide. “Really?”

  She scrambles off me and I stand and pull her from the bed. “How flexible are you?” I ask in a teasing voice, repeating the question she asked me earlier.

  Instead of responding, she stands tall, sticks her butt as close to my crotch as she can and then bends over and grabs her ankles. Holy shit. My hands go to her ass and I squeeze. My dick twitches and begs for entry. I fist myself, position at her entrance and slide in, telling her how beautiful she is and how much I want her. Her responses come in the form of sighs and moans.

  Her shirt gapes open in the front and I slide my hands underneath and cup her breasts over her bra. I’d give up a lot of things to feel her skin to skin right now.

  As my thrusts grow harder, she has a hard time staying upright without toppling over so I quickly move us so she can lean onto the bed. Her face lays on the comforter, giving me a side view of every expression that crosses it. Pleasure. Excitement. Wonder. She’s so fucking beautiful.

  “I-I think I’m close,” she rasps.

  I increase the pace and sure enough, the walls of her pussy squeeze me and she calls out as the orgasm rips through her. My own release comes only seconds later, and I collapse onto the bed and pull her to me.

  We lie like that until our breathing evens out.

  “Thank God for porn,” I mumble into the top of her head and breathe her in.

  She snuggles closer and I feel her body shake with laughter. “I have so many ideas. You have no idea.”

  “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

  32

  Gabby

  Blair and Vanessa move their stuff from the sorority room they’ve shared for the past three years to our apartment. They don’t have much in the way of living or kitchen stuff, so aside from their rooms finally being used, the only difference is the excitement it brings to the place. It’s like the most epic slumber party ever that never has to end.

  Wes and Mario have been here practically all day, something I realize quickly I’m going to have to get used to. I didn’t just get two new roommates, I basically got four.

  I try and picture what it’d be like if instead of being the fifth wheel, Zeke were here. The thought is pleasant until reality smacks me in the face. Regular classes are done, graduation is next weekend, and Zeke is leaving to go God knows where.

  An incoming text pulls me from my thoughts and a spark of excitement jolts through me that Zeke has reached out. He left yesterday morning and aside from a text that he’d arrived, I haven’t heard from him. Not that I expected to, it’s just I miss him. God, I’m lame.

  It’s not Zeke, though, it’s Nathan. We haven’t hung out much since the lake and the funny memes he used to send almost daily have all but stopped. I’ve been giving him space in case that’s what he needs, but I miss my friend.

  Nathan: Party tonight at the rugby house. Come with? I miss my Gabs!

  Me: Love to! Miss you too.

  I excuse myself from the lovebirds and retreat to my bedroom. I have the mother of all headaches, probably from two nights with hardly any sleep. I pop a couple Motrin and head for the shower.

  I take a little extra care with my hair, makeup, and wardrobe in hopes that’ll put that extra bounce in my step tonight. I’m excited to hang with Nathan and desperately praying we can go back to being friends. I miss him, but with the pounding in my head not relenting, I’m starting to wish I could just stay in and take it easy tonight.

  Nathan picks me up outside my apartment.

  “Gabs!” he calls out of his open window. “Hop in.”

  Shaw leans forward from the passenger side and waves, a bottle of Seagram’s 7 in the other hand.

  “Hey, guys.”

  I get in the back and Shaw offers me the bottle which I wave off. “No thanks. I’ve got a killer headache.”

  Nathan drives us to a small house about a block away from the baseball house.r />
  “Do all the jocks live around here?”

  “The ones that don’t live in the dorms,” Shaw offers.

  “I think I picked the wrong neighborhood to live in.”

  The music sounds twice as loud as usual and when Nathan offers me a cup, I shake my head. Shaw wanders off and I stick to Nathan’s side. Nathan is well-known and well-liked, so we stop a lot to say hello to people. I’m even starting to recognize a few faces and be recognized, which is fun. I feel less like the awkward new girl.

  “Wanna hit the dance floor?” Nathan asks and points to where people are dancing in the middle of the back yard.

  “I don’t think I’m up for it.”

  “I’m sorry. Anything I can do? Do you wanna go inside where it’s quieter?”

  His kindness makes me feel like a total buzzkill. “You know what, screw it.” I grab his hand and pull him to the dance floor.

  It’s not my level best effort, but I find a rhythm that doesn’t make the stabbing pain in the front of my head any worse.

  “It’s good to hang with you again,” he says, leaning in so I can hear him over the music. “Sorry I screwed it up there for a while.”

  “You don’t have anything to apologize for.” I bite down on my lip and summon the courage to say the thing that’s been on my mind since that night on the boat. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. I love spending time with you, truly.”

  He stops my awkward ramblings. “You didn’t. I just got caught up in all the coupling up going on at The White House. First Wes, then Joel. Everyone is settling down.”

  “You want a girlfriend?”

  He blushes, grabs my hand, and spins me around to the beat of the song. “Is that so surprising?”

  “Actually, yes. You spend every night partying and drinking, which is totally fine, but it doesn’t exactly scream ‘I’m ready to settle down.’”