Rival Dreams (Rival Love #3)

by Natalie Decker

  I shake my head and continue to dig through the new line of middle-grade books that need to go on the shelves. She taps her foot and grumbles, “Just take your time.”

  I shoot her a glare and say, “What do you really need?”

  “For you to collect the returns.”

  Great, the one thing that can wait. She knows this. I know this. But of course, the little witch has to get under my skin every time we are scheduled together. I roll my eyes and sigh. “Yeah. I’ll be there.” I peek around her and point at the counter. “You have people waiting.”

  She gives me a dirty look and marches off. I secretly hope she trips on the way to the register. She doesn’t.

  ***

  A few hours later, I am just finishing up with my last box of books to stock when the door chimes. I usually ignore it, but for some reason my body won’t allow it. So I turn and spot Kayla hurrying over to me.

  I smile at her but she’s not as bubbly as normal. In fact, if Kayla from high school met this version of Kayla she’d probably say, “WTF is wrong with me? Where’s my smile? What in God’s name am I wearing?” Because that is how Kayla usually is. All smiles. Fun. Never wears sweats unless it’s for workouts, or she just rolled out of bed. Of course, ever since she and Lance broke up she’s been moody and mopey, and her hygiene questionable, never mind the sweats she’s probably had on for three days in a row.

  “Hey, you,” I say.

  “Hi. Um …” She looks around. “Can you talk?”

  I shrug. “Sure. If someone comes by, just act like you’re looking for a book and you thought I could help you.”

  She nods. “Okay.” She follows me to the bookcase I need to stock and mumbles, “I miss him. I hate myself for it, too. I mean, after what he did the other night?”

  “Lance?”

  “Yeah. I mean, what the hell was that? He just went all animalistic on this guy. It was so humiliating. And at the same time, it was so freaking sweet. What’s wrong with me?”

  I shake my head. “Nothing. You remember how I was in high school when Caleb and I weren’t together. Because I thought Danielle was having his baby.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Speaking of Danielle, is she still locked away in the loony bin?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” I hope she gets better. Yes, she tried to ruin my life. Yes, she almost cost me my dream college. She almost damaged Caleb’s future. And I almost gave up the love of my life because of her obsession with him.

  Kayla looks deep in thought, and I say, “I think you should talk to him, Kay. He’s crazy about you. You’re crazy about him. I think you guys can work this out.”

  “But what if I take that internship? He’ll just break up with me.”

  “Is it really that important? Can you not get something similar that’s closer?”

  She shakes her head. “I tried. Believe me, I tried. I need this. You know?”

  “I know. You have to tell him, Kayla. Tell him how you feel. Tell him why you’re scared. And tell him it’s one summer. You understand he can’t come because of football, but you’ll be there in August and he’ll have you all to himself.”

  “Yeah.” She picks up a book and flips it over to the back cover. “So, how’s the apartment hunting coming?”

  “It’s, uh … I don’t know. He tells me he wants to move in, but then a friend called on the day of our appointment and he hung out with him instead of coming to the apartment.” I leave out the person was Lance because she’s already miserable enough. “I don’t mind he did that, but he didn’t even call to tell me he was ditching me. Maybe it’s me, but I get a horrible feeling in my stomach every time we talk about it. I’m being weird, huh?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t think you’re being weird. Do you think there is a reason he wouldn’t want to move in? Or has he been doing things that are out of the ordinary lately?”

  I think about this while I place books on the shelf. “Not really. But the girls giving out their numbers to Caleb have upped their game. Some little tramp kissed my boyfriend while handing him her number.”

  “No. Go hunt her down and kick her ass.”

  I laugh. “I should, but she’s not worth going to jail over.”

  I finish up my shift and Kayla and I go over to the coffee shop around the corner and have a couple of fraps. We talk until about dusk then we split ways, but not before I promise to call her tomorrow.

  I hope to see Caleb on my way to the dorm, but he’s not here. In fact it’s the first time since we arrived on campus that he hasn’t texted, called, or waited for me to get home from work. Any doubts I’d dismissed earlier during my chat with Kayla come flooding back. Is this what a pre-breakup feels like?

  With a knotted stomach and twisted thoughts, I enter my room and head straight to bed.

  Chapter 8

  Caleb

  Usually about this time I head over to Sky’s. That’s not the case tonight. I’m sitting in my black gaming chair playing an intense round of Madden. My roomie is pissed that I keep jacking up his plays.

  He slams his controller and yells, “Fuck! You’re such a cocksucker! I had you!” He stands and walks over to the fridge. “Want a beer?”

  I shrug. “Sure.” At the same time my phone vibrates in the front right pocket of my gym shorts. I pull it out and answer it. “Hey Uncle Bri. What’s up?”

  “Is Skylar with you?”

  The answer would normally be “Yes.” Tonight, however, it isn’t. “No. Did you need to talk to her?”

  “Yes. Is she working late or something?”

  “No.” I set my controller down. I didn’t even call her today. Who doesn’t call their girlfriend to make sure she got home okay? This dumbass right here. “Did you try calling her?”

  “I did,” he sighs. “It went straight to voicemail. I assumed she was with you.”

  “Well, she might have her phone off because she’s studying for her biology test this week.”

  He makes a noise. “Oh.” I can hear the nervousness in his voice.

  “Uncle Bri, what did you do?”

  Kyle hands me a beer and tilts his head at the TV. “Playing?” he mouths.

  I shake my head and put up my index finger while my uncle mumbles, “Uh … well … Maxwell knocked over a vase that Skylar got Erin for her birthday a couple of years ago. The damn thing is in a million pieces. Erin saw it, started crying. I wanted to try to find her a replacement. I figured Sky would be able to tell me where she got it from.”

  “Um … I guess I can try getting ahold of her.”

  “What’s going on with you two lately? You’re usually stuck to each other. Recently Erin said Sky sounds really depressed when she mentions your name. Wanna tell me what that’s all about?”

  I take a long drink then say, “We’re fine. I’ve been busy. She’s been busy. It happens, but we’re fine.”

  “I don’t buy it. Not judging, if you two have drifted apart, it’s fine. That kind of thing happens to the best of us. But it’ll be a real shame.”

  I roll my eyes. The last thing I want to do is talk about our relationship. “I told you, we’re fine. No one is drifting anywhere. Have you seen the latest NFL updates? Five new quarterback positions are open this year.”

  My uncle clears his throat. “Caleb, you better not be thinking what I think you’re thinking. It’s not a good idea.”

  “How do you know what I am thinking?” He might know, but I’m not going to say it. I know he hates the idea of anyone entering the draft early. I know he’ll be 110% against me doing something like that.

  “Answer me honestly. Were you approached and are you going to the tryouts?”

  “What is so bad about people thinking I’m talented? I mean, if they think I’m ready, doesn’t that mean I should do it?”

  “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  I take another swig of my beer. “Yeah, okay. I’m going.”

  He groans. “Has my experience taught you nothing? Caleb, school is im
portant. It’s your fallback if your pro dreams go down the toilet. And trust me when I say this … it might happen. You’ve got to be prepared.”

  “I can’t live in fear of the future.”

  “So that’s your answer? Is that why you and Skylar haven’t been hanging out anymore?”

  I set my beer down on the floor and snarl. “She’s got nothing to do with this. We’re fine.”

  “Caleb, you’ve got a lot of life left in you. Finish school. I promise, you’ll be happy you did.”

  I contemplate hanging up. He doesn’t get how important and rare this opportunity is, and probably never will. Sometimes I think he doesn’t realize how good I’ve gotten. In high school I was pretty awesome, but Skylar helped me improve the flaws in my game that I and everyone else had overlooked. Since then, I’ve become the youngest quarterback to win not one, but two bowl games back to back.

  “What if I never use my education?” I ask.

  “It’s the backup plan if things go wrong. Caleb, I’m not your father, but I would hope you respect me enough to listen to my advice. I advise you not to go into the draft too early.”

  I sigh. “But I’m ready.”

  “That may be. But are you ready for everything? What if something happens? What about Skylar? Do you remember how hard it was for you to be in Ohio with her in New York? Caleb, I’m not telling you how to live your life but you will have to start looking at the choices presented to you and the actions that may follow.”

  “I already know I’m going to lose Skylar. She won’t follow. I won’t beg her to. This might look like a shitty decision on my part, but I’ve thought about it. This is my shot and I need to take it.” The part about Sky felt like acid on my tongue, burning a hole straight through.

  “Alright. I don’t support it, but I can’t really make you stay.” The funny thing about this statement is if he wanted to, he could. He could blackmail me with my parents’ will and all the things I’m supposed to inherit next year. He did it when I was in high school and we thought I’d gotten Danielle knocked up. He said I was to marry that girl, no ifs, ands, or buts, or I could kiss my inheritance goodbye. But it turned out Danielle was never pregnant, so I dodged a bullet that time.

  I pace the room and talk to my uncle some more. He agrees not to say a word about this to Erin until I tell Skylar. But who knows when I’m going to have the balls to tell her.

  ***

  After calculus class, I make my way toward the student union. Everything is decorated with those cheesy red and pink candy hearts. Banners with bubble letters saying Happy Valentine’s Day line the halls.

  I could say I’m already on it and got Skylar the most amazing gift ever. But that would be a total lie. Valentine’s Day is literally three days away and I haven’t even gotten her a gift. To make things worse, my Uncle and Erin are supposed to be here in a couple of days. And I still haven’t told Skylar about the draft yet. I hope to hell my uncle doesn’t tell Erin while they’re down here.

  Walking into the sandwich shop, I look around the sitting area. The place is pretty full, but it’s almost noon, so this is normal. I spot Matt and Vince and they wave me over to a large table. I grab a sub first and head over to them.

  Matt’s the first to fist bump me. Vince shakes his head at me and smirks. “So, what’s your whipped ass doing for Valentine’s day?”

  Vince scoots over and I take a seat. Matt laughs. “Please, you know he’s going to be fucking the shit out of Skylar. Am I right, man?” He extends a fist for me to bump but I don’t.

  I never tell these two animals anything about what Skylar and I do in bed. There are already enough dickwads on campus that stare at her ass and legs; I don’t need these two thinking about my girl and what she’s like in the bedroom, too.

  I shake my head then pick up my sub and take a big bite. On my third bite, I’m interrupted. Skylar smiles down at me and then looks over at Matt and Vince. “Hi.”

  I swallow. “Hey. I thought you had class?”

  “Got out early. I’m heading to the testing center in a little bit. Wanted to get some lunch before I’m stuck in the lab for a couple of hours.”

  I nod. Vince laughs. “I feel ya. I hate going to the center. Man, last year I was taking my exam and the whole system crashed. I was practically done with the damn thing, too. Had to go back the next day and take the bitch all over again. I thought taking that thing once was bitch. Twice was like a kick to my balls.”

  Sky smiles. “That sucks. Hopefully that doesn’t happen when I’m in there.”

  Matt shakes his head. “Bunch of nerds. Hey Sky, you going to be banging our boy here all day Saturday?”

  I kick him under the table. Skylar blushes a deep red; she resembles a tomato. I want to punch Matt for embarrassing her. Vince remains silent but smirks.

  “Babe, ignore them. They’re just pissed that I have you and they’ve got no one.”

  She nods but turns and walks away. I rush after her. “Hey.”

  She spins to face me. “It’s fine. I’m a big girl. I can take a joke.”

  “Never said you couldn’t. But I want you to know I don’t want them talking about you like that.”

  She looks down at the ground. I hate when she does this. It makes reading her very difficult. “Sky, I love you.”

  “I know. I love you too. I’ve gotta go. See you tonight?”

  “If you want.”

  She looks up at me. “I always want to.”

  I kiss her forehead. “I’m sorry, that was stupid of me.”

  “Caleb, lately …” She stops as some girl calls out to her. Skylar turns and says, “Be right there.” She looks back at me. “I’ve gotta go.” She pecks my lips and runs out the door.

  I return to the table. Vince and Matt are laughing and making whipping noises. “Fuck off!” I scowl at them. They don’t stop. Not right away, at least. It takes them a good ten minutes of joking before they finally shut the hell up.

  Matt shoves me. “Oh, lighten up.”

  I can’t, though. I’m literally one week and four days away from losing Skylar. My time with her is running out. I know I should just let her go, that postponing this shit will only make it worse. But I love her.

  “Dude, you okay? We’re just messing with you,” Vince says.

  “I know. I have a meeting to get to.”

  Matt nods. “Oh yeah, signing your release papers soon.”

  “Something like that. Catch you two later.”

  “Big party at the house next Saturday. Come by. In honor of you, man.” He lifts up his cup as I start to walk away from the table.

  I nod and head out the door.

  Chapter 9

  Skylar

  After my test—which I totally nailed, by the way—I go to the grocery store and pick up a few things. Then I drive over to Kayla’s apartment. She’s the only person I know who has a full kitchen and I need an oven.

  She greets me at the door with a hug. “Hi! Come on in. Let me get those.” She helps me with my bags and walks them into her kitchen area. I look around and notice a stack of boxes near the door and living room.

  “Um … what’s all that?”

  “Oh, Tasha. She’s ditching me to live with her girlfriend.” She makes a noise and waves at the boxes. “It’s no biggie. I’m happy for her.”

  Tasha and Kayla have been roommates since freshman year of college. They got the apartment last summer when Kayla and Tasha decided to stay in North Carolina for the summer. I almost moved in with them but decided my mom missed me too much and went home for summer break. “Who’s going to move in?”

  Kayla shrugs. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. So, what are you going to make Caleb tonight?” She smiles and nudges my elbow as I pull out eggs from the bag.

  “Homemade ravioli.”

  She frowns. “Aw, I want some.”

  “I’m making you some too. Did you talk to Lance yet?”

  “Yeah. He’s coming over later on tonight to ‘talk.
’” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “Ooh … Can you make extra for him too?”

  I nod. “Sure, but you’re going to help.”

  Kayla bites down on her lower lip, her eyes widening. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Kayla, I’m not going to let you screw it up.”

  “O-okay.” She scrunches up her face. I smile.

  “I’m serious. It’s going to be fine.”

  I tell her some of the things we need and she sets off to gather mixing bowls and pans. She places two large pots onto the stove. I switch sides with her and unwrap the ground sausage, place it in one of the pots, and turn on the stove. Kayla hands me bowls and I give her a long wooden spoon. She looks confused. “You’ll be in charge of mixing and sautéing the veggies.”

  She nods. “Okay.”

  Her eyebrows are still drawn together and she doesn’t exactly appear confident. I smile to try to ease her worry. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be right here. You won’t burn anything.”

  Kayla starts on the veggies, while I work on the dough. This is going to be a new experience for me. Not making the dough so much, I’ve done that a few times, but never by hand. Each time I did it I had my mom’s Kitchen Aid mixer with the awesome pasta-making attachment. The only mixer in Kayla’s apartment is her handheld. So, I’m going to be doing a lot of rolling. Which isn’t necessarily a terrible thing, but it’s a lot more time-consuming. I just hope when this is all done Caleb likes it.

  After the dough is exactly the way I want it to be, trimmed, and ready to be filled, I immediately cover it and work on the next step. I chunk up tomatoes, and add sauce, spices, onions, and garlic to the big pot and set the burner on low.

  “Kayla, go ahead and mix the spinach, ricotta cheese, and herbs together.”

  While she gets to work on that, I throw a bit of Parmesan cheese in the mix. After two minutes of mixing, Kayla and I are ready to make some stuffed-pasta magic. Yay!