When they finish up the game I ask, “Where’s Adams? I figured he would have come back with you guys.”
Big Tex throws his controller across the room and stomps angrily to his room, slamming the door shut.
“We haven’t seen him since him and Courtney went upstairs at the party,” Bucky whispers, like it matters.
This shit is getting intense. First Tex is pissed Courtney won’t give him the time of day and now Adams is fucking up our dynamic for dating his ex. You don’t do that shit, ever.
Amaya yawns. “I’m gonna get home guys. Thanks for buying me those two pizzas,” she says with a smile. Since she can out eat any of us, the guys bought large pizzas for each of us but two for her, and of course, she devoured them. I still can’t get over how much she eats and stays as skinny as she does.
“Let me walk you down.” She only lives a floor below me which is awesome since we don’t have to walk far.
She shakes her head no. “I know what will happen if you walk me down and Courtney’s not there. Tonight got out of hand, we need some space.”
I narrow my eyes at her and just give her a chin lift. This shit is starting to piss me off. She leaves after shouting, “bye” at Big Tex through the door.
“One step forward and six back, hey?” Bucky inputs.
I run my hands through my hair and sigh. “Fucking killing me, man. It’s clear she wants me, but she won’t actually admit it.”
Bucky shrugs. “Keep pushing, King. You know you’ll break down her walls, eventually.”
He’s right. I’m not backing off. She might want to, but it only means I need to step it up.
Chapter 20
Amaya
B
etween rehearsal and Tate’s schedule, we’ve not been seeing much of each other, and when we do see one another, not a lot of talking goes on. I can’t stop kissing him, touching him, just being with him. I guess we’re dating, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of saying for sure that we’re a thing just yet. It’s too damn fun watching him get all worked up about it.
He’s picking me up after rehearsal for a date. Well, I told him we could hang out, but it’s totally a date. He wouldn’t tell me what we’re doing. He just said dress comfy and be ready to go. I’m standing at the end of the street waiting for him to pick me up when Adams rolls up with Courtney in the passenger seat. Tate opens the back door with a red rose hanging from his mouth. I can’t help but grin like an idiot. It’s a simple but totally sweet gesture.
“So, where are we going?” I ask getting in. Tate takes the seat behind Adams and I sit behind Court.
“Sky Jump,” Court announces.
It’s mainly a kid’s place but adults totally go there too. They have rock wall climbing, laser tagging, trampolines, air tunnels and go-cart racing. It’s next door to one of those pizza places that has an arcade where you earn tickets to trade in for prizes.
We end up there first because duh, I’m starving.
While we wait for our food, we play some games. Tate and Adams are playing a basketball game while I whoop Courtney’s butt at Dance Master.
“Whore, you’re doing it wrong. No wonder why I’m kicking your ass.” I laugh at Court, who is doing the worst dance moves ever.
“Shut up, Diva Dancer. You put the damn game on hard, of course you’re kicking my ass.”
She tries to keep up with the game but ends up getting booed and her turns ends. “Stupid game. I swear it is like you invented it or something, made it so it was impossible for non-dancers to win at it.”
I laugh. “You’re such a sore loser.”
I go to take my turn when Tate saunters up and pushes two players instead of battle. “Think you can keep up?”
He smirks. “Baby, I can keep up with you. Trust me.”
True to what he just said, he does, in fact, keep up with me. Both Courtney and Adams are laughing behind us, especially when Tate finishes off by twerking.
I shake my head and step away from him. “Don’t ever twerk again. Dear God, that was just awful. Never again. Ever. If you don’t promise me right now, I’m going to find Tex, and I’ll kiss him.” I finish off by sticking my tongue out at him.
His smiling face turns angry the second I say it and he gets in my face. Uh oh, I thought it was funny. Oops. “You even think about kissing anyone that isn’t me, they will wish they were dead. No one gets your lips except me.” His hand goes to the back of my head and he pulls me in for a harsh kiss.
“Fucking hell, you two need to bang already. I’m so sick of watching you two do this weird tribal non-sex dance. You’re making my own orgasms nonexistent. Good God,” Courtney says, breaking us apart from kissing.
“Don’t be jealous.” I smirk at her then kiss Tate again.
**
Courtney and I have gone all out to watch our guys play. I don’t know much about sports, but we do look hot with our faces painted. I have Tate’s #16 under my left eye. Court has Adams’ #20 under her right. I have Tate’s jacket on too. It swallows me, but I know he said it would bring him luck.
I’m standing on my toes trying to watch. Being shorter really sucks sometimes.
Tate has the ball and is getting ready to pass. He lets go of the ball and is sacked. I cringe at the impact. But the play goes on.
“I knew this was a full contact sport, but I didn’t think it was this bad,” I shout at Courtney who is cheering on Adams, who I see has caught the ball.
“Yeah, isn’t it great? Hot, sexy, sweaty men all over the field, giving every single woman and gay man spank bank material for life.”
The people behind us gasp in shock that Courtney would say that, and I only shake my head. I’m used to her weirdness.
“This is a family place. Watch how you speak,” The woman behind us hisses.
“Listen, lady. I don’t see one kid here right now, anywhere in this section. We’re also at a college game. Back off or go somewhere else. Better yet, go somewhere else and get laid. You need it.”
The woman’s eyes go huge and she immediately gets up and storms off.
“Stupid, god damned prissy bitch.” Courtney snorts. “What the hell is she doing here anyways. Gee.”
Court has a big TMI mouth, but that was extreme. “What’s up with you?” I ask her, worried.
She shakes her head. “I’m fine, PMSing, that’s all.”
“I want to know what the hell is going on with my best friend.” I’ve been around her on her period, this is not normal behavior for her. She never lashes out at people like this. It’s extreme.
“Just leave it alone. When I’m ready to tell you, I’ll tell you. But not now, not today, and maybe not tomorrow.”
I let it go, and just grab her hand, giving her a slight squeeze. Both of us stay seated the rest of the game, I feel bad. Tate will probably ask what I thought, but I won’t have an answer for him, because I spend the rest of the game worried about my best friend.
There are only minutes left in the game. Tate chucks a thirty-yard strike to Adams, resulting in a touchdown. It’s not enough to win the game though. I don’t know much about football except that I love how sexy my man looks in those tight pants.
I make a quick trip to the bathroom and when I return to the stands it’s the final play. Bucky is lined up to kick. Everything looks good and seems to be going okay. However, the kick is blocked and lands near the centerline of the field. Tate has the ball and when he throws it, he suddenly goes down. Damn. I hope he isn’t hurt. The ball is intercepted by the defense of the opposing team and the guy runs fifty yards for a touchdown. Shit. That’s the game and I watch as my man limps off the field.
My first instinct is to run to him, but I won’t even be able to get near him right now. I won’t be able to see or talk to Tate until tomorrow, but I send him a text to let him know I hope he’s okay and that I’m thinking of him.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Court tells me as we exit the stadium. “You hungry?”
“No.�
��
“Are you okay? You never turn down food.”
I shrug. “I guess I’m feeling anxious and nervous about Tate’s ankle.” He told me about his injury from before, and I can’t help but worry that it could take away his chances at getting picked up in the draft.
Chapter 21
Tate
I’
m suited up and ready to take to the field. I never get nervous before a game. I live for getting on the field and throwing a smooth pass. So why do I feel like I could blow chunks all over the fucking place? Amaya said she would try to be here. Courtney said she would make it happen. She’s been fooling around with Adams. It’s a clusterfuck. Tex is losing his damn mind over it, but he fucked up.
Coach is giving us a motivational speech. Which is basically kill it on the field, or I’ll run your asses off next practice.
The game passes by in a blur, I was out of the zone. My mind was too busy wondering if my girl showed up to see me play. One minute I was playing my ass off and the next thing I know, Coach is giving me another speech.
“You played like shit tonight, King! Don’t think I didn’t notice. You gotta get your shit together, son. One more game like that and you can forget going pro,” Coach’s voice roars in my ear as he lays into me.
I don’t know what happened. I was playing great, but my ankle gave on me, and I went down hard. I’m on the table now getting checked by our head trainer. Damn, if my ankle is fucked, I’m finished.
Dean rubs my ankle and it’s tender, but I don’t dare flinch.
“How is he?” Coach asks, getting a bit softer now that he’s let me have it.
“I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. Just a twist. Some painkillers and keeping off it a few days should do the trick. It’s not swelling yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. If he has any issues just call me.”
I take the mild pain reliever and hit the showers before Coach can start on me again.
I start thinking about Amaya, wondering if she saw me play today. I check my phone and sure enough she did. Thirteen text messages demanding I call her to let her know if I’m okay. I smile. She does care about me. I knew it. All the brush offs, telling people we’re not dating, or our dates aren’t really dates—I knew it was all bullshit, at least only to her.
Maybe I’ll give her the brush off until the Halloween Date Auction tomorrow evening. If she wins me, all the bullshit over the last two months is done and over with. I don’t give a flying fuck if she fights it, I’ll be claiming her as mine and that’s that.
No more games.
Just me and her.
My girl.
All mine.
**
On the bus back home, I sit next to Adams. Bucky and Big Tex are in the seat behind me. Adams has a weird look on his face and the tips of his ears are red. “Who you texting?”
Caught, his entire face gets red. “Uh, Courtney, keeps sending me uh, pictures.”
A flash of an arm goes between us and Big Tex steals Adams phone, tossing it out the bus window.
“What the fuck you dick!” Adams roars.
Big Tex just glares at him, seething. “I want to know what the fuck you’re playing at. Courtney is mine, and you know it.”
“If she was yours, she wouldn’t have been sucking my dick, begging for me to pound into her harder when I fucked her,” Adams snaps back at him.
Both Bucky and I move fast, getting in between them, if the fight I know was about to go down were to escalate further we would probably end up causing the driver to crash the bus.
“Stay away from Courtney. You talk about her being yours and getting all pissed I’m with her now. Fucking hypocrite. Because wasn’t it you that was fucking my god damn girlfriend while I was with her,” Adams snaps, looking ready to kill Big Tex. Oh shit, this is worse than I thought.
The bus is quiet, and we all realize Coach has us pulled over to the side of the road.
“You know what. Fuck you. No one ever believes me or wants to listen to my side of shit, so you can go fuck yourself,” Big Tex says and moves to get off the bus for some air.
“Not sure what the hell is going on within this team lately but your game after the date auction you’re hereby benched, no exceptions. And if you all can’t shape the hell up, I will rescind my recommendations,” Coach states angrily from the front of the bus. “Tex, get your ass back on the bus. Owens, you go sit where he was.”
Fuck, I scrub my hands over my face. This shit is bad and could ruin all our chances. Coach is pissed off, but he’ll calm down. He’ll simmer and give the guys time to cool off. He doesn’t mean that shit. He can’t bench me, I’m his best player.
I’m dying to text Amaya back, but I need to play it cool right now. Coach keeps staring back here, making sure we are all on our best fucking behavior. I’m not chancing giving him any reason to hold true to his threats.
The pain medication Dean gave me starts to kick in. I lay my head back against the seat and nod off until we get back to the school.
Chapter 22
Amaya
T
ension is thick in the room as the music plays in the background. The main room is setup complete with a stage and a catwalk. Red balloons are weighted to the sides of the stage and white streamers hang from the ceiling. These frat boys can decorate. Who knew? I never came to one of these auctions before. Keith told me girlfriends weren’t allowed to bid to keep things fair. Another lie. One of many that no longer matter.
“Who are you bidding on tonight?” I ask Courtney.
“Adams of course.”
“Why not Big Tex. I know you’re only with Adams to get back at him.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. I like Adams just fine thank you. Tate is gonna flip when he sees how hot you look.” She grins at me and I smile back at her.
I hate being at odds over her whole situation with Tex and Adams. I just hate the strain it puts on all of us when we want to hangout now. I like both guys, really, I do, but the situation isn’t ideal. It’s obvious how much Tex cares for her, but if I try telling Courtney that she gets mad at me. I should butt out, but I can’t stop myself.
“Adams is in for a treat when he sees you,” I tell her, attempting to keep peace. Courtney looks great. She’s wearing a purple dress that goes great with her complexion and her boobs look amazing in it. The neckline plunges down the front in a V that showcases her chest, in a classy, but sexy way.
“Ladies, first up on the auction stage is Keith Digger. He’s the Trojan’s wide receiver, incredibly rich, and of course handsome. We’ll start the bid at two hundred dollars,” the host shouts into the mic.
A good number of people bid on him, but his eyes keep finding me. You can tell he’s pleading for me to offer up a bid on him, but I shake my head no. I can’t stand to look at the sleaze ball. After being with Tate I am so pissed at myself for ever giving a guy like Keith the time of day. No amount of money could ever make him attractive, ever. He has the nerve to wink at me, like that’s really going to have me clamoring in my panties to waste money bidding on a date with him of all people. I don’t understand him or how he thinks I’d be remotely interested. Sure, at first glance if I didn’t know the guy I’d think he’s cute. His blond hair is gelled up in spiky chunks. His blue eyes shine as he flashes a charismatic smile. But I do know him, and I know what I deserve.
Tate has shown me that not all jocks are dicks that can’t keep their shit in their pants.
Finally, the closing bid is announced at five hundred, and the winner? Yeah, the slut he cheated on me with. Whatever. I wish them the best and maybe a case of crabs. I’m not bitter. Not at all.
The next two on the auction stage are Tex and Adams. Adams is first and Courtney of course wins him, paying one thousand bucks. You can see Tex at the side of the catwalk glaring at Courtney.
With Tex up next the girls go into a frenzy and he ends up going for slightly over fourteen hundred. Wow, girls sur
e like these guys and have money to burn.
“Ladies, the moment you’ve all been holding onto your wallets for. Tate King.!” The girls erupt into hysteria waving their bills over their heads.
Court elbows me. “Girl, are you sure you brought enough money? These bitches are rabid.”
I smile, confident. “Tate’s mine. They’ll all know it soon enough.”
“What’s with this mine? I knew you liked him.”
I just shake my head, because she’s right. I do like him, more than a lot.
He struts down the catwalk in his jersey. Thud. I just died a little. I should check my pulse.
My parents might lose their minds when they see my checking account after this auction, because I plan to win. I don’t care the cost.
The bidding starts at two hundred dollars, and I hold up the paddle and leave it up the entire time as the number keeps climbing.
Tate smiles as he looks at me. He does a quick spin, shrugging his jersey over his head, tossing it at me. Court catches it and about gets in a fight with two other girls for it. I pry it from her hands and slip it over my head, while she holds my paddle up, and I’m loving the way his smell enraptures me. I smile back at Tate. His abs are perfection. My man looks good.
The girls sulk but turn their attention back to my man as he flexes his muscles.
The bidding is insane, the number keeps climbing and my bank account is crying as I keep countering every offer. He flexes his muscles again, and I squeal. I can’t help it.
Tate looks nervous as he hears my next bid. He frowns, but he must not know me as well as he thinks. Like him, I hate to lose.
I keep an impassive face. Game on.
This one bitch keeps outbidding me. She’s gone as far to up the stakes by two thousand dollars. I’ve got this. There’s no way anyone will beat my next offer.
Before last call, the bid is at five thousand, and I’m about to win until some rich trust fund chick screams out ten thousand dollars.
Sacking The Player Page 10
