by Kaci Rose
Avery: Okay, goodnight, Titan.
Me: Goodnight, Avery.
Chapter 2
Avery
I wake up to the smell of bacon and coffee. I know Kelsey is cooking because she wants to hear the story, I have to tell her. She was out late night on a date, so I texted her after I said good night to Titan and said I have a juice guy story for her. I fell asleep before she got home. I know she’ll be trying to bribe me with breakfast. It’s totally working. I’m such a sucker for bacon.
I get up and make my way to the kitchen. Kelsey and I share a two-bedroom apartment across the street from campus. It’s a highly sought after building but my parents nailed it down for me. They were so proud of me for getting a full scholarship and said they had the money for college saved up and wanted me to use it for a good apartment.
Mom insisted I do freshman year in the dorms, for the experience. I’m glad she did because it’s how I met Kelsey. I had planned to stay by myself in a nice quiet one-bedroom, but Kelsey and I bonded in the dorms, so when my parents mentioned a two-bedroom was open, I told them to grab it and I invited Kelsey to move in with me.
She insisted on paying rent, so I’ve been putting the money into a savings account for her. It will be her graduation gift. I don’t need the money. My grandmother passed away last year and left me everything, including her house in Nashville, which needs some work.
My dad grew up in that house but said he and mom saved up money to buy their house and it holds so much meaning to them they couldn’t leave it. Plus, Grandma’s place is huge, and my parents are traveling a lot now, so they don’t need the space. They say I do because apparently, I will be giving them ten grandbabies. Yes, my mom has said the number ten specifically.
“Hey, girl! You were fast asleep last night when I got home. Grab some coffee, pancakes, and bacon for your juicy guy story!”
“Deal.” I barely sit down at the table before she sets the food down in front of me.
“Okay, spill!” She nearly bounces out of her seat as I get my first strip of bacon down.
“So last night, I was about to go to sleep when my phone goes off.” I hand her my phone and let her read the texts from Titan. This is easier than explaining, and it buys me some time to eat before she starts asking a million questions.
“Do you have any idea who it is?”
“No, there are what, ninety guys on the football team? I’ve met most if not all of them in passing at some point.”
“One hundred and eleven.”
“What?”
“There are one hundred and eleven guys on the football team.”
“I don’t want to know how you know that.”
“So, it’s a guy who likes you, but because of the football brother code won’t make a move so he’s reached out anonymously. Oh my gosh, Av, it’s so romantic!”
I roll my eyes. Kelsey is a hopeless romantic. She thinks true love will be like it is on the Hallmark Channel, all sweet and perfect in a huge glitter bow.
“What should I do? I have a boyfriend.”
“Who treats you like crap.”
“Kelsey...”
“Okay, okay.” She throws her hands up in surrender. She is very vocal about not liking Kyle and thinking I can do better than him, and how if he cared he would make time for me. I know he’s concentrating on football; the NFL is his dream and he has to give it his all.
“But think about this, while Kyle was so busy with ‘training’” She makes air quotes. “Titan here made time to text you.”
I won’t admit that thought did cross my mind. My phone pings before my mind can go down that road again.
Titan: Good morning, beautiful. Have a good day today.
A good morning text? When was the last time Kyle sent me a good morning text? Well over a year. No, dammit. Avery, don’t go down that road.
Me: Thanks. Morning class today, then work.
Titan: I have class then training and prep for this weekend’s game.
“Is that Titan?”
“Yeah.”
“Look at that huge smile on your face.”
I didn’t even know I was smiling. I drop the smile when I look up at her.
“Girl, it’s okay, have some fun with Titan, but think about how he can text you good morning. Where is Kyle? You know my feelings on him, so I’ll drop it, but I haven’t seen you smile like that in a while.”
Me: Away game, right?
Titan: Yes. Thankfully, a short travel day.
Me: What position do you play?
Titan: Nice try.
Me: Can’t blame a girl for trying.
Titan: Have a good day, Avery.
Me: You too.
I get up and get ready for class, pour a to-go cup of coffee, and head out. I love being able to walk to class from my apartment. It allows me to take in the fresh air and the world around me. Well, I like it until it snows, anyway.
I pull out my phone to see if I have anything from Titan. Or Kyle because really, I should be wishing for a text from my boyfriend, not some mystery football player. I’m not paying attention when I run into a hard, warm wall.
“Whoa, careful there.”
I’d know that voice anywhere. Denver Bolter. The guy who kissed me freshman year and then disappeared. He’s been nothing but nice to me since, and he was upfront that the kiss was just for a bet, so I can’t be mad at him. I mean, I was pretty mad at first, but three years later I’m over it.
He is the most popular football player and as Kelsey likes to tell me, the hottest by far. She still can’t believe I kissed him freshman year. He is always surrounded by Jersey Chasers and Kelsey is convinced he’s a player and sleeps around. I try not to pay attention to the rumors.
“Sorry, I have a lot on my mind today, I wasn’t paying attention.” I take a step back.
“Well, we’re heading the same way, I feel like I should walk you to make sure you get there safe.”
Before I can agree, Kyle walks up and acts like he didn’t forget to call me last night like he said he would.
“Hey, babe. That coffee for me?” He grabs the coffee from my hand and starts drinking. In a split second, I catch Denver’s jaw clench before his face relaxes.
“What the fuck, Kyle?” I grit out.
“Well, it was a long night, ugh, what with training and all, baby. Now hug me so you can get to class.” He winks at Denver before reaching for me.
When the hell did Kyle get so cocky and condescending?
I go in to give him a hug, but the hickey on his neck catches my eye. I tense up but he hugs me anyway not even noticing how stiff I am. Soon as he lets me go, I bolt for class without saying goodbye to either of them.
Things haven’t been adding up for weeks. Kyle is always busy, but like Kelsey pointed out, Titan had the time to talk to me. Kyle’s spot on the team isn’t the best and he doesn’t have as hard of a training schedule as some of the other guys, like Denver who is one of the best running backs in the NCAA right now.
I’ve had this feeling in my gut for weeks, but why doesn’t the hickey shock me so much? Why do I have so little emotion over it? I try to push it aside as I walk into class and take my seat in the middle row.
A few minutes later Denver walks in, his eyes lock on mine. Did he see the hickey too? Does he know that Kyle was lying about his training last night? Denver’s eyes have me under a spell, but it’s broken when Jersey Chasers surround him before he’s even sat down.
I watch him and he looks uncomfortable. One girl places a hand on his shoulder, and he reaches up to remove it. He tries to ignore them and doesn’t flirt. This doesn’t strike me as the moves of the player that Kelsey keeps saying he is.
I pull out my phone and send off a quick text to Kelsey about what just happened with Kyle before I forget to tell her.
Kelsey: Did you confront him?
Me: No, I was almost late for class.
Kelsey: When will you say something?
Me: I don’t kn
ow, I don’t have the energy for that right now. Can we talk tonight?
Kelsey: I’ll have wine.
I tuck my phone away as the professor walks in.
✽✽✽
I’ve just finished with the 4 p.m. rush at the coffee shop on campus where I work part-time. I like my job and after grandma passed, I wanted my normal routine, so I just kept working. The last customer just walks out when my phone vibrates letting me know I have a text message.
Titan: You work at the coffee shop, right?
Me: Yes, stalker…
Titan: What is your favorite drink there?
Me: Most days just a plain coffee but I do like the frozen mocha on a hot day. What kind of coffee do you drink?
Titan: Plain coffee but I do like a peppermint hot chocolate around Christmas time. Do I lose man points for that?
Me: Nope, I love getting a peppermint hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights in the winter.
Titan: That sounds like a tradition I should be starting.
Me: Maybe by Christmas, you’ll tell me who you are, and we can go together.
Titan: Maybe. Okay, training time. Later, coffee girl.
✽✽✽
We spend the next week texting almost nightly. He sends me random questions asking my favorite food, colors, sports team, TV shows, and movies. Random questions like steak or seafood, sweet tea or unsweet, and even silly ones like which way is the correct way to put the toilet paper roll on.
He sends me funny Big Bang Theory memes and videos, and we talk about our childhood and what high school was like.
Saturday night I get one of my nightly texts, but it shakes me.
Titan: Hey, are you here?
Me: Where?
Titan: The football party. I saw Kyle so I assumed you’d be here.
Me: Didn’t even know there was a football party.
Kelsey comes barging in just then. “Hey, are we going to the football party tonight?”
“Well, I didn’t know there was a football party until just now, so I’d say no.”
I watch her face fall and I know she is thinking the same thing I am. Why didn’t Kyle invite me, or even tell me about it?
We sit down to watch TV and there’s radio silence for an hour. I can’t shake the feeling I have. It’s a nagging at the back of my head that there was more behind Titan’s text. Why wouldn’t my boyfriend invite me to a huge football party? Unless whoever is behind the hickey is there.
Me: Is there something I need to see?
He doesn’t answer and I know he’s trying to stick to the football code.
Me: You said no lies, always honest and open. Or does that only apply outside of football like every other guy?
Titan: No lies. Yes, you should be here.
“Get dressed, we are going to the party,” I announce and jump up.
“YES!” Kelsey squeals and runs to her room. I know she already knows what she will wear. It won’t take her long.
One thing I love about Kelsey is she is just as low maintenance as I am, so thirty minutes later we are out the door. We choose to walk because the football house is only a few blocks away.
“You know I’ve never liked Kyle. He treated you well at first, but last year something changed. Just a gut feeling that’s made me not trust him. I think it started when he didn’t go with you to your grandma’s funeral. I don’t like that he never has time for you, then this last week I see how much Titan can find time to text you, but your own boyfriend can’t. That doesn’t sit well with me, Av.”
“I know, and it’s been on my mind ever since I saw that hickey on Kyle’s neck last week. I haven’t seen him or talked to him more than a few texts and one phone call. Do you think he is at the party with another girl in front of everyone?”
Kyle has been into some questionable things lately. Steroids for one. He says they're perfectly legal, but I did some digging on school policy and the NCAA rules, and they aren’t. He doesn’t know that I know. I’ve kept my mouth shut even from Kelsey about them.
“Yes. I’m sorry, but I do. How do you feel about that?”
“Honestly, I want to just end it, even if he isn’t with someone else. It’s just been easier to ignore it because it’s too much effort to deal with breaking up with him, but it’s time. I know it. Plus, I always felt it should be done face to face.”
“Good for you. I’m not leaving your side tonight.”
“Thanks, girl.”
“I got your back!”
We walk around the corner and the bright lights of the football house fill the street, the sounds of the music and noise from the crowd fill the air.
Me: We are walking up now.
Titan: Back porch.
Me: Thanks.
The closer we get to the football house, the louder the party gets. I know I’m going to have a killer headache tomorrow from all the loud music. Kelsey and I went to many parties our freshman year for the ‘experience’, but it quickly became one of our least favorite experiences. Since freshman year we only go to one or two a year. We walk through the front door and my senses are assaulted with flashing lights, loud music, and cheap beer.
Denver is by the door with a sad look on his face. He nods at me when I walk in. I smile as Kelsey takes my hand, so we don’t get separated as we make our way through several crowded rooms to the back porch.
A few of the players seemed shocked to see me but mask their faces quickly, thinking I didn’t see their expressions. I’m not drunk, so I saw them just fine. This all confirms what I’m about to walk into. My nerves start to take over, mostly because I know a confrontation is coming.
As we step out on to the back porch, the cool night air covers my skin and it’s a welcome relief from the hot stuffy air inside. I look around the back porch until I spot Kyle on the porch swing with not one, but two girls, one of them with her hand down his pants and the other one’s hands all over him from behind.
“Wow,” I breathe out, and walk over to them, stopping right in front of the swing.
Kyle jumps up, dumping the girls on the ground and adjusting his clothing.
“I think I’m more shocked about you getting two girls at once, than you actually cheating on me.” I can’t help but laugh at the situation.
“It’s not what you think, baby.”
“Or it’s exactly what I think. I’ve known for weeks. I’ve seen the hickeys, I’ve just been too tired from dealing with school, work, and my grandma’s estate to dump your ass like I should have. But we are long over.”
“How did you even find out about the party?” he asks, anger hardening his voice. It looks like he is done trying to suck up. That didn’t last long.
“It’s a football party the whole campus knows about it. It’s a huge red flag when you don’t invite your girlfriend, asshole.”
“Whatever, like a football player would actually be interested in you,” he sneers. Well, I can play dirty too.
“You think you’d actually be getting laid if you weren’t a football player? Your dick is nothing to write home about, and you have no clue how to use it. But these girls are just looking to attach themselves to a name for the money. They won’t care about your lack of skill in that department. Have fun.”
With that, I turn to storm out.
Chapter 3
Denver
When I saw Kyle here tonight, I thought I’d get to see Avery, even if it was from across the room. When I realized she didn’t even know about the party, I knew the question was coming. I promised her honesty, but I’d also promised to be loyal to my team. Avery is a good girl though, and she doesn’t deserve this. I know my momma would kick my ass if she knew I didn’t take Avery’s side, and my momma means more to me than football. Avery means more to me than football.
When she showed up, she looked so beautiful, it hurt me knowing what she was going to walk in on. I followed her to the back, I wanted to see how it went down and be there if she needed me. I didn’t exp
ect how well that girl can hold her own.
As she turns to walk away, Kyle lunges and grabs her wrist, yanking her back.
“Let go,” she yells, trying to pull her wrist away.
“Kyle, man, let her go. If coach finds out you grabbed her like that, he will bench you.” I step up closer to them, no longer watching from the sidelines.
“Why? You going to tell him?” he challenges.
“No.” I look around. “But not everyone on this porch is loyal to you.” Avery has drawn quite a crowd and I’m sure coach will hear about this in detail by Monday.
He lets her go. “You’re not worth it.”
“Neither were you!” she snaps and grabs her friend’s hand, heading back into the house.
I give Kyle a quick look, shaking my head at the stupid situation he’s got himself into, then head in after them. I set my untouched beer down and catch up with Avery just as they walk out the front door.
“Avery,” I call out. “How did you guys get here?”
“We walked, it’s not far.”
“Okay. Well, I’m going to walk you home then.”
“No, we’re fine thanks.” She tries to brush me off.
“Listen, my momma raised me right, and after what just happened, I’d feel a lot better knowing you made it home safe.”
Avery gives me the side eye and has a silent conversation with Kelsey.
Finally, Kelsey turns to me. “Okay, handsome.”
“Ignore her, she flirts with anything with a pulse,” Avery jokes as she crosses her arms over her stomach and falls into step beside me. We walk in silence a bit and I walk a bit slower than normal not wanting the night to be over.
