I hear him trying to talk to me but I rush through my shower and throw on the clothes I had on earlier. I make it outside in time to catch the drum feature where she kicks ass. I see Jinks and a couple of the other guys have stuck around to watch them.
Once they finish and she gets back to the stands, I walk over to her. “Hey, good set.”
She gives me a small smile. “Thanks.”
“What all do you need to do before you can go?”
She fidgets with her bottom lip and looks around for someone. “Well, Clementine asked if she could ride with us, but I don’t see where she went.”
I glance around and see Clementine over by the visitor field house talking to Harrison. I point that direction. “Isn’t that her talking to Harrison?” They look like they’re in a very intense discussion.
“Um, yeah.” We see Clem spin and stomp off toward the parking lot with Harrison right behind her.
Her phone lights up and she looks at it. “She said she’s going home.”
“Okay, so we can go?”
“Fuck, I wanted to grab a shower at her house before we went out there. I’m drenched in sweat. Humidity and polyester are not friends of mine.” Seeing my confusion, she states, “She lives close to Booker’s place. The text she sent, though, means she wants to be left alone.” She sighs. “Can you just give me a ride home? I’m not feeling much like it tonight.”
I see her falling back into herself. “Come on, you promised you’d go with me. Be my sponsor, you know.”
She gives me a small laugh. “I didn’t say I’d be your sponsor and that doesn’t solve my shower situation.”
“Come with me.” I pull her behind me. Reaching for the field house door, she pulls back.
“I can’t go in there.”
“Yes, you can. No one else is in there and I’ll make sure no one else goes in,” I say with sincerity.
“Fine, Atwood, but if anyone comes in there it’s your ass,” she bosses.
I walk in ahead of her just to make sure that everyone is out. Glancing around, I turn around and open the door. “Coast is clear. Now get in here and get the funk washed off so we can go.” She laughs, removing her polyester monstrosity, leaving her in shorts and a tank top. She is going to catch me staring at her tits if I don’t look away.
She shakes her head and walks past. “I meant it. If anyone comes in here, you do not want to know where I’ll put this drum stick,” she dead levels as she walks toward the showers.
“Shit!” I run to my locker and grab my shower slides and jog into the shower area just as she’s removing her shirt. “Fuck!” I cover my eyes, knowing she’s going to beat my ass. “Sorry, I brought you my slides. You know, shower funk and all that.”
She laughs, taking the shoes from me. “Collin, I know you’ve seen a girl in a bra before. It’s not a big deal.”
I uncover my eyes. “Sorry, I just figured you’d flip and possibly sodomize me with a drum stick.” I give her a tilted grin.
She shakes her head. “Had I been naked, yes. But where do you think we change for away games? On the bus, and I’m sure more than one guy in the band has seen me in my under roos. No big deal, most of the time they cover more than swimsuits,” she says flippantly. “Now I am going to get naked and take a shower so will you leave?”
I shake my head. “Sure thing, Under roo,” I say with a laugh as I walk back to the dressing area.
CHAPTER 12
Joelle-
What in the hell made me think this would be a good idea? Oh yeah, that’s right, I didn’t. I really did just want to go home.
“You want a beer or something?” Collin’s voice timbers behind me.
Turning around to face him, I see a carload of cheerleaders pull up. Great! “Yeah, I’ll take one.” Normally, I never drink beer. I’ve snuck the occasional mixed drink or sips of wine, but beer is just bitter. Tonight, though, it’ll have to work, I’ll choke it down. I can’t be sober and deal with these people.
It always weighs on my mind that I have to be careful. Addictive personalities run in families and well, my dad would be a prime example of a functioning alcoholic.
A couple of minutes later, he’s handing me an unopened can of beer. “Here you go, ma’am.”
“Thanks,” I reply quietly.
“Oh, look who’s here. How did you rate an invite? These parties are usually for athletes only,” Ciara snarls.
I really shouldn’t have to explain jack shit to her but I guess I’m going to have to. “Not that it’s any of your business but Booker invited me.” I see a flash of anger or something across Collin’s face. “But I see a lot more people here than athletes. You’re here so they obviously let-.” A hand flies over my mouth to stop me.
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”
“You like being on her radar, don’t you?” he says with a little smirk.
“She just likes being a bitch.” I sigh, “Which is why I told her that Booker invited me. Which he did, but I told him no.”
“Yeah, why did you do that? You’re here with me.”
I take a sip of my beer and squirm at the taste. “I’m here with you as a friend. You are the newest conquest on her list. If I had said I was here because you invited me, it would have ended up way worse. She would make my life a living hell.”
He gives me a small nod. “I guess I understand. Just don’t let her screw up things between us.”
Screw up things between us? What the hell is he talking about? “Yeah, I don’t want her to mess up our friendship,” I reply timidly as I chug down most of the beer in the can. Funny, it seems to have become my new friend. Especially since I can’t seem to taste it anymore.
He’s about to say something else but before he can, a voice booms over my shoulder. “What in the hell are you doing here, Jo?”
I spin around to see my brother fuming with Ciara smirking over his shoulder. He works his jaw back and forth. “Answer me!”
That hits me wrong. “I don’t have to answer you and frankly, it’s none of your business what I’m doing here.”
“None of my business? I’m your older brother. Did you even ask Mom and Dad about coming here?”
“That’s right. Brother! Not parent and since the only time they notice I’m missing is when I need to work for you or help you, they won’t fucking care.” I cover my mouth as the words seem to just vomit out of my mouth. Noticing a crowd drawing and seeing that bitch’s face behind my brother mocking me, I swing around and storm toward the coolers everyone seems to be getting beer from.
Booker is standing by the cooler, “Good to see you decided to come. I see your brother is pissed about it.” He grins, taking a swig from his beer.
“Thanks. Are you going to just to stand here and gab all night or are you going to hand me a beer?”
His smile kicks up on one side. “Sure thing. A woman who knows what she’s after. Here you go.” He opens a beer for me, passing it to me. “I’m going to guess the golden boy brought you?”
“If you are referring to the quarterback whose ass you didn’t cover tonight, then yes,” I throw out.
“Oh, so you do pay attention to the game?”
“I pay attention when someone is playing like shit,” I snarl back.
He shrugs his shoulders about the time I feel someone grab mine. “Hey. You okay?” Collin’s deep voice rumbles behind me.
I give him a small smile. “Yeah.”
“Let’s go walk around.” He pulls me.
Once we make it to the edge of the group, he stops. “Sorry about your brother and all. I didn’t think he’d have such a bitch fit about you coming out here. I guess he’s more protective than I thought.”
I snort, choking on the beer in my mouth. Once I finish the coughing fit, I reply. “He’s not worried about protecting me. He’s embarrassed that I’m here. I don’t fit into his world and if I’m being honest, I probably never will.”
He tips his chin up a little. “Sometimes it’s n
ot a great world to be in.”
“So now tell me, how is the paper coming along for Ms. Jones? I promised her you’d have it to her soon,” I say, trying to change the subject to something where I look a little less pathetic.
“I finished the book and the paper is close to being done. The book was awesome though. I actually tried to google the author to see if she has more books out, but there isn’t much out there about her. I found one other book. I started reading it last night. It’s not in the same series though.”
She? She? How does he guess that? I did my best to make sure the author bio and the material kept everyone guessing.
“Why do you think it’s a female? I’ve never found where the author says one way or another,” I question, trying not to look as scared as I really am.
I knew I never should have let him read that book. Fuck.
“I don’t know why I think that. I guess the cattiness of the cheerleaders. The outside knowledge of a guy’s thoughts. I mean don’t get me wrong, she’s in the ball park, but just not quite on point. Plus, girls are much more inside their own heads, guys are just plain. I mean if I say I like your top, that’s what I mean. Nothing else about it.”
I want to laugh. “I’ve heard there’s another book coming out soon. I hope so anyway.” If I can ever spend the time I need to on it. The tutoring thing and extra shifts at the store have me behind. I’ve had to put my editor off three times. Sure, I self-publish, so technically I can do whatever I want, but the fans I have are jumping up and down for the next Catching book. Now I’m a little curious. “So how do you like the other book?’
He shrugs. “It’s okay so far. I haven’t really made it past the first chapter because of school and football.”
Finishing the beer in my hand, I pitch the can into the bed of someone’s truck. “Can we find me another one of these?” Whoa.
He laughs. “Sure. But this is the last one for the night. I can’t take you home throwing up or something.”
CHAPTER 13
Collin-
Shit shit shit. She’s passed out in my damn car. Her brother is going to fucking kill me. I’m sure her mom is home, but I don’t even see her dad’s truck here. He’s probably still at the damn bar. My heart ached for her when she gave her little inebriated speech to her brother. I know what it’s like to have the weight of the town on your shoulders, but to have it at home and really feel like no one even cares about you would suck. She tries to play so tough, but I can see how they make her feel weak.
Reaching across the console, I touch her arm. “Hey,” I say softly. “Jo, you’re home.”
She sits up a little too quickly. “Whoa.”
I get out of my car and walk around to her side. As I open the door, she struggles to stand. “Jo, I’m so sorry.” I loop my arm around her to try to help her up.
She tries to whisper, but it’s a drunk whisper. “It’s okay, I’m a lightweight.” She staggers, trying to stand.
“Shh.” I try to help her toward the house. “Let’s get you inside,” I say quietly.
She gives an exaggerated nod. “Is there a way in where we won’t run into your mom? It doesn’t look like your dad is home.”
“He’s probably not, he’s probably drunk. Huh. Like me. Walk me around back. We can go in like Jam-es do-oes,” she mumbles. “Booker let you get hit tonight,” she says quietly.
“Huh?”
“I’m pretty sure he let you get hit on purpose. I could see it. W-watch your back.”
Once we’re around back, she takes me to a patio door. Walking inside, her home feels lived in. At times mine feels more like a museum than a home. The only place we have free reign is our rooms. Sometimes we can get away with more in the den, but never anywhere else. I whisper, “Which door?”
“The one she’s going to walk into all alone, Mr. Atwood,” her mother’s voice booms. Looking up, I see her in a bathrobe with her hand on her hip, looking very angry.
I drop my head about the time Jo decides to lean over and throw up on my shoes. I let her sink to the floor. Damnit. This can’t get any worse. “Jo,” I hear behind us.
Shit, the Captain. I’m a dead man. Her brother slides in on the other side of her. “Thanks for bringing her home, Atwood.”
His mom stares at us. “Does anyone care to explain?” she practically screams.
After he pulls her hair back, James answers. “Yeah, I had to take a couple of the guy’s home from the after party. Jo had come with some of her friends and someone put something in her drink. She’s never drank so it got to her. I asked Collin to go ahead and drive her home so I could take the others home.”
His mother rushes forward. “Dear God! Someone put something in her drink? I need to call an ambulance.”
“Mom! Someone just slipped her some liquor, not a roofie or anything. She’ll be fine. Well, after she feels like crap that is.” He chuckles.
His mother suddenly pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, Collin. I’m sorry for coming out like a bear.”
“I can understand. She’d fallen asleep in the car, so I was just trying to get her to her room. I promise,” I say with as much honesty as I can muster. Not that guilty thoughts about her haven’t been running more rampant lately, whether I want them to or not.
She waves me off. “Oh, I’m sure. I know you’re dating the head cheerleader, Ciara Mitchell. She’s so pretty. So I know it wasn’t like that, I just didn’t know what Jo had gotten herself into.”
I’m irritated now. Her mother shows an ounce of care and then knocks her back down. Like her daughter is beneath me. “Actually, I’m not dating Ciara. She’d like to date me but her attitude, well, it sucks. She’s rude and mean to people like your daughter. To me, that makes her ugly. I actually think your daughter is kind of great. Well, when she isn’t puking on my shoes. She’s helped me out when I really needed it. She seems to do a lot of that,” I say, looking at her brother, “and I’m honored to call her my friend. Jo simply did what the rest of us did, went to a party. She didn’t do anything wrong. Sorry to be rude and all.” I look up to Cap. “You got her, Cap?”
He nods but gives me a go to hell look at the same time. “Yeah, man. Thanks again.” I see him pull her up and take her to what I’m assuming is the bathroom.
I look back at them. “Night, Jo.”
I hear her mumble something like thanks.
Once I’m outside of the house, I walk toward my car. Just as I’m about to open the door, James comes jogging across the yard.
“What’s your deal, man?” he snaps.
I look across the roof of my car at him. “Excuse me?”
“What’s your angle with my sister? She’s already tutoring you, you don’t need to hurt her,” he exclaims.
“I’m going to say again, excuse me? Because I don’t have an angle with your sister. She’s a great human being, something so many around her seem to be lacking,” I bite.
“I know she’s great, but she’s not the girl who goes out with the quarterback, she’s the girl who sits at home and reads.”
This asshole. “Maybe I find reading hot,” I say with a smirk. “I’d never hurt her. Your family does enough of that every day it seems like. You gutted her tonight at that party. You know that, right?”
“What the fuck do you mean by that?” he barks, rounding the hood of my car to get in my face.
I turn to face him. “What I mean is how you pretty much told her in front of not only most of the school, but Ciara, too, that she’s not good enough. Ciara has it out for your sister for some reason. I’m also talking about how your mom down plays her being in band and how you don’t think she belongs with anyone other than other band geeks. How your mom showed a little concern in there, but completely disregarded her when she talked about that bitch, Ciara. I don’t know what’s wrong with everyone else, but your sister is beautiful. Inside and out. She’s my friend. A true friend and I can’t say I actually have that many of those. Sure, I have friends, and they always wa
nt something from me in return, but she wants nothing from me. She didn’t even ask for my friendship.” I snatch my door open. “By the way, she says Booker let me get sacked on purpose tonight. She saw it from the stands I’m guessing. So much for my team and my friends.” My parents may expect me to bring home a state title, they may expect me to be a stepford son because my dad is the mayor, but they always tell me they love me.
Sliding down in my car, I slam the door and back out of the driveway, spinning tires as I leave.
CHAPTER 14
Joelle-
Yuck! What is that taste? Why does my mouth feel like I ate a ball of cotton? Ugh, my stomach feels horrible.
“You can crawl your butt out of that bed now,” my mother’s voice booms through my room.
I try to pry my eyes open. “Ugh.”
“I’m sure you feel that way. Now get you a shower, grab some headache medicine and hydrate. You’re going to work at the store today. It seems you aren’t the only one who decided to tie one on last night. Your father is in worse shape than you.” She turns to walk out of the room and I hear her mumble, “What a pair.”
Forcing myself up, I take a shower while pieces of last night keep flashing back. The argument with James at the party. Drinking way too many beers, which for me is like two. Getting busted by my mom as Collin brought me in and oh god. Oh god. I threw up on him.
I bury my face in my hands and try to wish the embarrassment away. Once the water starts to turn chilly and I’ve drank about two gallons of it as I’m standing under it, I don’t think I’ve ever been this thirsty, I climb out and wrap myself in a towel. Wiping the fog from the mirror I see that I really look like crap, which is fitting since that’s how I feel.
A knock comes to the door. “Come on, Jo, we need to go open the store,” James’s voice vibrates through the door.
Crimson Catch (Game Time #1) Page 6
