Offside (Pro-U Book 2)

by Ali Parker

  "Emily? I like it." He turned and took off when the whistle blew.

  I didn't know the guy well enough to know if he was dicking with me, or if he really had thought about sleeping with Em. Both thoughts took turns fucking with me for the rest of the practice. I somehow managed to play like the beast I was capable of being, but the odd feeling resting on my shoulder had me glancing over at Clint several times before walking toward the stands.

  "Was he serious?" I stopped by the stands as he caught a pretty blond that ran toward him and leapt in his arms. By the way he leaned down and kissed her, it was clear that it wasn't his sister. The fact that he was dating someone made me feel a little better. A little, but not enough.

  "Hi Jacob." A thin woman with her breasts hanging out the top of her tank top moved up to stand in front of me. "I'm Trisha. Nice to finally meet you."

  "Hey. Nice to meet you too." I shook her hand and moved back, kneeling down to finish putting my stuff in my bag. The last thing I wanted to do was try not to look at her boobs.

  "Where's your girlfriend? Did you guys break up?"

  I laughed and glanced up at her. "No. She's in home, asleep in my bed."

  "Damn," she mumbled and crossed her arms over her chest, making the problem even bigger.

  After zipping up my bag, I stood up and waved over at the coach. "See you Monday."

  "Don't be late, Wright. There will be scouts at all of these games, and you're good enough to catch their eye. It's a big damn deal. Each and every game. If you miss the first one-" He paused and turned toward the group, cupping his hands over his mouth. "Listen up. If you miss the first game on Monday and don't have a death in your family to back it up... you're off this team. Got it?"

  Everyone nodded in agreement, and I caught Clint's eye before I turned and walked back toward my truck. Sluts I could handle pushing off all day long, but a friend who was really a foe? Someone that would consider trying to sleep with Emily while we were just starting our relationship?

  Hell no. I was going to have to beat his ass if I even saw him talking to her.

  I almost felt bad for the guy.

  *

  I got in the truck as my phone buzzed in my bag. After digging through the mess to find it, I'd missed the call. A text came in right after that let me know that Emily was already working at the dad's pizza place.

  A smile lifted my lips as I pulled out of the driveway and took the short way home. I didn't have time to shower before going into work, but I was grateful for an excuse to get her back in one with me later that night. Memories of our evening and our morning accompanied me as I sat in the silence of the truck, enjoying the pleasure of knowing that she would be with me later that night.

  It was odd that Brody hadn't come after her, or even tried to hook back up, but he was an idiot. That much was more than obvious.

  "Damn," I mumbled as I parked outside of the pizza parlor and glanced down. My erection was more than obvious, and in my soccer shorts there was no way of hiding it. I grabbed my jeans and polo shirt from the passenger's seat and got out of the car, holding them in front of me.

  A sign on the front door caught my attention, and I paused as a smile lifted my lips.

  Dollar draft beer and darts contest every Friday night.

  "Awesome," I mumbled and walked around to the back. Emily was waiting on a few tables as I walked through the kitchen and caught a glimpse of her. My heart fluttered in my chest, and I knew I was in deep shit where the girl was concerned. It was amazing how one minute I was good with the idea of loving her until she left me, and the next, I was freaking the fuck out about her leaving me.

  Why did it have to end with her leaving?

  I knocked on the office door and went in after my father mumbled something.

  "Now a good time?" I stuck my head into the office and glanced around.

  "Yeah. Come on in, boy." My dad turned around in his chair and smiled. "Did you see the sign out front?"

  "I sure did. I love it. I'll make up some flyers and me and Emily can pass them out around campus and with our different groups of friends." I sat down and left my jeans in my lap. "What's going on? You look like you have something on your mind."

  "Yeah, but it's something I need to figure out on my own."

  "Talk to me, dad. You know you're my best friend. I should be yours, unless you're hiding some dude under that desk that none of us ever see." I lifted my hand. "And if you are... I don't wanna know about it."

  He chuckled and shook his head. "No. Sheila came by to see me at the house earlier. She wants to work things out, but I'm just not sure that's something I can do."

  "Oh. Shit. That is big." I ran my fingers down my face and sighed. "Why do women have to be so damn difficult?"

  "No clue. Part of me wants to invite her back in, but there a much larger part that knows she's just going to cheat on me again. Once a cheater always a cheater, right?"

  "I honestly don't know. A lot of people change, but you've risked a lot your whole life. The women you've dated are exactly the type of women that love one man forever."

  "Are you about to tell me that all women are whores and I should just forget about it, because that conversation is getting old?" My father lifted his hand as I tried to assure him that I wasn't going that route. Emily was slowly changing my view on women in general, though to say I wasn't waiting for things to go to shit would have been a lie. "And to be honest, I think it's more about the women I'm choosing rather than women in general. There are a lot of good women in the world. I just need to find one and treat her like a queen. Speaking of a queen. That girl out there that seems to think you hung the moon is a keeper. I'm going to tell you this one time and time on-"

  "Dad. I'm in love with her, okay? She doesn't know it, and I'm not saying that shit yet, but three years ago when we met, I found something that I wanted in her, and that hasn't changed. It's grown to this incredible warmth inside of me. I'm sure she's going to walk one day-"

  "Don't say that. Not everyone is like your mother. They aren't. Period."

  "But even if she does. I'm good with the now. The here. I want whatever I can get."

  "So believe that you can get it all. She's not going anywhere if you treat her right and love her."

  "I just hope I know how to do that." I ran my fingers through my hair as worry rose inside of me. "I've never wanted a relationship before, you know. I don't know what to do or who to be other than who I am."

  "That's more than enough." He smiled. "Put her first and she'll know without a doubt that you care."

  I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth as a smile lifted my cheeks. "How much is in my savings account? The one that you've been putting my checks into."

  "A little over a thousand dollars. That happens when you actually show up to work and don't spend your money on stupid shit. You're almost to your twelve hundred for your soccer season. I'm proud of you."

  "I need you to take it out for me. Get it to me by tomorrow?"

  "Sure. Is it due?"

  "No... Emily needs it, and I'm going to make sure she's taken care of."

  "Jacob. Wait-" He stood up as I bolted out of my chair, my decision made and heart on fire.

  "Save it, pops. I'm in love with the girl of my dreams. I wanna give her all I have."

  He nodded and smiled. "Then do it."

  Chapter 23

  Emily

  I hated that Jacob was gone when I got up the next morning, but I needed to take care of a few things anyway. After rolling over and pressing my face into his pillow like a stalker several times, I got up and changed back into my clothes and called Tasha to beg for a ride. As always, she was far too good to me, and agreed without a problem.

  I took the time to make Jacob's bed and left him a small note telling him that next time we were together, I would be waking up beside him for breakfast. The love making session was hot, but I was half out of it, and missed snuggling against his warm, tight body that morning.

  Micah was d
ownstairs making toast when I walked in, and several guys were on the coach in the living room, watching TV and eating popcorn.

  "Popcorn for breakfast?" I snorted and walked into the kitchen.

  "Hey, Em." Micah smiled over his shoulder. "That's not breakfast. Those guys just got in from an all-night party at our sister Sorority."

  "Sounds like fun." Moved toward the counter to see what he was up to.

  "So you and Jacob, hm? I can't help but tell you that I'm a little surprised."

  "And disappointed or..."

  "Not at all. Jacob's one of my best friends, but I've never known him to have a steady girlfriend. Have you guys talked about all that stuff yet?"

  "Sort of." I pushed the butter closer to him and pointed to the open bag of bread. "Can I steal a piece before I leave this morning?"

  "You can have anything you want. You know that." He moved out of my way and walked to the fridge. "You like orange juice."

  "I like just about anything. I'm poor, remember?"

  "You need some cash until payday?" He turned around and gave me a series look.

  You just couldn't find a better guy.

  "No. I'm good. I'll make it work. Enough people love me to keep me fed and not looking like I just crawled out of the sewer." I pulled his toast out and handed it to him before putting mine in.

  "You take those and I'll grab the next ones."

  "You sure?"

  "Of course. There's no way I'd eat before a lady did." He pulled two glasses down and glanced over at me. "How's everything going back at home?"

  "Bad. I'm going to see if Tasha will take me out to see Cally."

  "Is she still with your mom?" He lifted his glass to his lips.

  "No, with my aunt." I reached out to brush something from his shirt and he stiffened. "How is it that you're not dating anyone? You're incredibly handsome, as sweet as can be, and just an all-around great guy."

  "It's the last two things you mentioned. Women want an alpha asshole, right? Where I'm more than happy to take charge in a relationship, I'm not a jerk. I never will be." He took another drink and shrugged. "I figure I'll find a woman when I get out of school and get into the business world."

  "I thought the dream was the NBA?"

  "It is, but it's a high bar to reach. I haven't given up on it, but I'm practical as well. How sexy is that?" He gave me a cute smile that was insanely sexy.

  "I told Natasha that I was going to set you two up later this summer."

  "You did? And what was her reaction?" He didn't seem interested, but then again, he was a cool and collected kind of guy.

  "She's down with it. You know she's got a lot going on, but maybe it can be a basketball date. You know, shoot some hoops together and then go out for ice cream?"

  "You realize that I'm insanely competitive, right? There's no way I'm going to throw the game to make her feel good about herself."

  "Wait." I laughed and moved back from the counter as a car horn sounded outside. "Where is the gentleman that just gave up his breakfast for a lady?"

  "He's right here, but he doesn't exist on a basketball court. Maybe I'll ask her if she wants to see a movie."

  "All she likes to do is play basketball."

  "Then hopefully she likes to get spanked."

  I laughed loudly and grabbed my toast. "You better be careful. She's no light weight."

  "Oh, I'm well aware. One of the reasons I'm so turned on by her is her basketball skills. She's a champ in her own right, but I'm better."

  "Oh shit." I patted his chest and smiled. "Thanks for breakfast. I'll figure out the date thing and get back to you on it."

  "Thanks for trying." He turned back toward the toaster and let out a soft sigh.

  Surely there was a way for me to get them together without having to appease them both at the same time. That wasn't my job anyway. It was theirs.

  I jogged down the stairs and got into Tasha's jeep as she reached for my toast.

  "Hey. I'm planning on eating that."

  "You had two. I just drove my happy ass all the way over here on my one morning to sleep in. Love on me and let me have a piece of toast."

  "Alright. You have a point, and besides... I need one more favor." I handed her a piece and folded the other in half as I made quick work of it.

  "Sure. Whatever you need." She backed the jeep out and turned toward the mainline before glancing over at me.

  "You gonna tell me?"

  "Yeah, sorry. I love grape jelly, but it's so expensive." I shoved the rest of the toast into my mouth.

  "It's three dollars at the grocery store. I'll buy us some. What's the favor? If this has to do with Micah, drop it. I'm not going out with him or anyone else."

  Dammit.

  "Nope. I need to see if you can take me out to check on my sister. She's at my Aunt Dara's house, which is just about ten minutes from here. I wanted to see if she would talk to me now that things have settled down a little.

  "Oh yeah. We can totally do that. When are you meeting with Coach Rhodes?"

  "Around lunchtime. I don't have to be at work until five tonight." I licked my fingers and leaned back in the seat. "I think I'm falling in love with Jacob."

  "Wait a minute. A few days ago you weren't even interested. Now you're in love?"

  "Falling in love. Please remember the verb." I closed my eyes and let the warmth of my thoughts about him fill my chest and force a goofy grin on my face. "He's really a good guy underneath all the shit."

  "No... really? I'm pretty sure I told you that."

  "How did you know?" I turned my face a little so I could see her.

  "I'm a good judge of character."

  "Then why are you so against going out on a date with Micah? He's a great guy. Like one of the last really, really great guys."

  "Because of that reason alone. I don't want to fall for someone. I told you how that turns out for me."

  "I'm not going to reopen this can of worms again, but just know that I want to." I pulled out my phone and checked for a message from Jacob, but didn't have one. I had to assume he was still playing soccer in Waban.

  "What's going on with your cheer captain try outs?"

  My mood plummeted fast. "They're on Monday, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to pass the opportunity by."

  "What? Why?" She pointed to the exit in front of us. "This one?"

  "No the next one." I tugged at my seatbelt and let out a painful sigh. "Because the position means I'm going to be up front directing everyone."

  "Since when have you been shy about being in front of a large crowd? You've been cheering since you were in sixth grade, Emily."

  "I know that, but the problem is that my mother is off the map because of her DWI and CPS taking my sister. There's no money left from my scholarships..." I paused and let out a frustrated sound as I tugged at me hair. "You know all this. I don't want to rely on anyone."

  "You used to rely on Brody completely."

  "I know, and I hated myself for it. For the first time in a long time, I feel free. I'm broke as hell, and if it wasn't for you and Jacob, I wouldn't even have a bed to sleep in at night, but I'm not tied down. I don't belong to someone because of what they can do for me. It feels good."

  "I bet." She pulled off the freeway and turned left as I directed. "I'll ask my dad for a small loan to help you cover the costs of your cheer stuff. You're not missing out on all of this."

  "No way. That's not happening. I'll figure it out. I know Coach Rhodes is in my corner. Maybe I can ask Diaz for a stipend for organizing the cheerleaders to come out this fall and cheer for their games."

  "How is that going to help you now?"

  "It doesn't, but it will if I can get it early."

  "That isn't going to happen."

  "Thanks for you shitting in my Cheerios this morning and eating my toast." I pointed to the quaint blue house at the end of the block. "That one. Just stop in front and I'll run in. I shouldn't be more than a minute."

  "I'm a
realist. I'm not trying to upset you. You know that." She reached over and squeezed my hand. "Good luck with your sister. Just remember that she doesn't have you anymore since you came to Providence. Maybe just remind her that she's not alone." The softness in Tasha's voice forced me to slow down and listen. She rarely showed a side of herself that wasn't ballsy and in everyone’s face.

  "I will. Thanks." I released her hand and got out, walking languidly as I tried to think through what I could say to my sister that I hadn't said a million times already.

  I knocked on the door, and Cally answered it, her hair cut short and dark circles under her eyes.

  "Hey." She walked out on the porch as if I wasn't going to be invited in the house.

  It was probably better that way.

  "Hey. How are you?" I clasped my hands behind my back to keep from reaching for her.

  "I don't know. I guess okay." She lifted her hand and waved to Tasha, forcing a smile that faded fast when she looked back at me.

  "I'm sorry about everything that happened. I wish I could-"

  "Right, well, you can't." She shrugged and wrapped her arms around her chest. "Mom's going into rehab next week, and Aunt Dara is going to take care of me until I'm eighteen. After that, who knows?"

  "I'll be out of college by then, and hopefully will have a job. You can come live with me."

  "And be a burden on you until I figure out who I am? No thanks. It's not like I'm going to college or anything else." Tears filled her eyes. "This is as good as it gets."

  "That's not true. I'm right here, and you'll always have a place with me as soon as I get one. Don't push me away. Please, Cally. I didn't do any of this to you. I just want to help."

  She nodded as tears ran down her face. "Can you just come visit more often? Can we go to a movie some time like we used to? We can sneak it and shit." Her face crumbled as she let out a painful sob.

  I was done playing it safe. "Of course."

  She melted against me and cried hard as I held her and rubbed her back, shedding a few tears of my own. We'd had a hard childhood, and where I'd finally gotten through mine, she still had a few years left. It was shitty of me to stay away from her until I got myself together. I'd never be together enough to feel like I had something to offer her or anyone else, but that was a damn lie.