She tips her head, shrugging one shoulder. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, big guy. Let’s see how this goes.” She spins away, the thick red knot on top of her head bobbing from side to side adorably.

My gaze slowly roams down to the elegant lines of her shoulders. They’re leanly muscled, showing definition, but not enough to detract from her femininity. Her waist squeezes in narrowly before her hips gently flair into one perfectly rounded ass.

“Can I help you?” My head snaps around to face the barista as I place our order. While she makes our drinks, I snatch up a stack of napkins and place money on the counter. As soon as she hands off our order my feet take the most direct route in Grace’s direction. She’s seated at a table against the side wall toward the rear of the store. It’s the most private spot available, and I can’t help but wonder if she chose to sit there for that reason.

“Here you go.” I set down her cup of coffee on a napkin and place the plate with a banana muffin in front of her before dropping my backpack to the floor beside my chair. I pull out the chair across from Grace and sit down. Opening the cover tab on my coffee, I allow some of the heat out while taking advantage of my beautiful view.

“Thank you, Trevor.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard her call me by my name before, but I’m already looking forward to the next time she does. Then again, whether she’s talking or silent, what’s not to like about her mouth? A deep berry color and pouty as hell, I want to tug the bottom lip between my teeth and run my tongue over it.

I’m notoriously bad at multitasking, but somehow I manage to fantasize about her lips and still pay attention to what she said. I raise my hand and shake my head. “No thanks necessary. What made you choose the vegan lifestyle?” She giggles. “What’s so funny about that?”

“The vegan lifestyle just sounds so formal. For me it wasn’t so much a choice as a necessity. I developed a dairy allergy a few years ago and it evolved from there. I began substituting different ingredients and before I knew it I’d cut out meat too. I felt so much better that I decided to go full vegan.”

“I bet it was tough to cut out dairy and meat. I love cheese, and bacon is practically a staple in my diet.”

“At first it was, but after I got in the habit it just sort of stuck for me.”

“And you’re never tempted to cheat?”

“Never.”

“You have more discipline than I do.”

“Like I said, I didn’t have much choice. If I eat dairy I get sick so it’s not a temptation for me at all. Plus vegan products taste great.” She breaks off a chunk of muffin, pushing it between her lips. “Mm, this is delicious.”

“It is?”

“You sound skeptical.”

“I am. I gotta be honest, that thing looks suspect. Are you sure it’s a muffin? It looks more like a brown blob.”

She laughs, “Yes, it’s exactly what I ordered. Just because something looks different doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste good.” She tears another chunk free, holding it up between us. “Here, try a piece.” Oh fuck no. I don’t want to eat anything vegan unless it’s her pussy. That’s the only exception. “Come on. Be a brave boy,” she taunts, waving the piece in front of me. I can’t have her thinking I don’t have the stones to try it. The horrible taste will be worth it in the end.

Leaning forward, I capture her hand with mine and hold it still while my lips pluck the bite free of her fingers. Her eyes expand with surprise, showing the whites around the vibrant blue of her irises. “Delicious,” I murmur with a wink as I force myself to chew and swallow it down. The taste is just as bad, if not worse, than I imagined and I make myself wait before scooping up my coffee and taking a sip. I won’t show how repulsive that was for me. Being a vegan is important to her and I can suck down a shitty muffin once in a while if it will earn me brownie points.

“I’m impressed you tried it.”

“Thanks. It’s only a muffin. Not like I wrestled a lion for you.”

“Ooh, can you do that if I agree to go out for coffee with you again?”

“You gotta give me more than that. A tug at the least.”

She snorts. “Oh my God. That’s gross.”

“Hey, there’s nothing gross about it.”

“Sorry, but giving some guy I don’t know a hand job is gross.”

“You know me.”

“Not well enough to jerk you off.” Fuck. I’m getting hard just hearing her talk about it.

“Theoretically speaking, how well do you have to know someone before you’ll jerk them off?”

She covers her face with her hands and mutters, “I can’t believe we’re having this discussion.”

“I think this is a great topic of conversation. Now answer the question.”

Her hands lower and her cheeks are awash in pink. “I hardly ever get embarrassed except when it comes to you.” She shakes her head. “I don’t have a set amount of time before I’ll do that.”

“Then how can you say it’s too soon?”

“Because it depends on when I feel ready.”

“And you don’t feel like now is the right time?”

“To touch your dick?” I nod. “Hell no.”

“Damn. That’s a little disappointing.”

“Too bad.”

“I was hoping for a different answer, I’m not gonna lie.”

“Yeah, I’m sure this is a first time for you. I told you I’m not like other girls. If that’s a problem then you know where the door is.”

“Ouch.” I grimace. “Let me down easy at least.”

“As if you need me to. I’m sure you’ve got a waiting list of girls.”

“To touch my dick?”

“Yep.” She pops the last consonant.

I bark out a laugh. “I’m honored you think I’m so in demand. I’m not who you seem to think I am. I’m not denying that girls like me, but I’m not out fucking around all the time.”

“Just some of the time?” Her tone is droll.

“Well… not lately.”

“If you’re holding out for me, it’s going to be a long ass wait. I hope you’re ready.”

I grin. “You didn’t say it’s never going to happen. That means there’s a chance it will.”

Practice is almost over and I’m still elated after my coffee date with Grace. I don’t care what she thinks, I’m marking it down as our first official date. I can’t remember any girl ever making me feel so excited to spend more time with them. If it was anyone other than Grace I’d probably be concerned that she’d make more out of the time we’d spent together. But she’s the least dramatic girl I know. I wish she’d be excited about our coffee date.

Not even the unexpected sight of my father standing on the sidelines talking to coach can dampen my spirits, and that’s saying a lot. He only comes around when he wants to bust my balls about something. I wonder what it is this time?

I wave to my dad as we head into the locker room and try not think about how my good mood will probably fall flat by the time he finishes with me. Lawrence Lincoln is used to getting his way and he doesn’t handle it well when someone disagrees with him.

“What’s your dad doing here?” Owen inquires with concern. He knows how my dad can be.

“I’m not sure, but it can’t be good.”

“Maybe he came to say hi and take you out to dinner.”

I chuckle, “Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.”

Owen laughs. “You’re probably right, but don’t put up with any shit from him, bro. You’re a great guy and you work hard. He should be proud of you.”

“You’d think he would be, right? Unfortunately, unless I play in the NFL I’ll never measure up in his eyes.”

“He got over your brother, Brady, not playing professional ball.”

“He did, but things were strained for a while. And Brady went into broadcasting so it’s not so bad. He’s doing something my dad deems worthy of a Lincoln.”

“Don’t worry until you have a reason to. I’ll be home if you need to talk.” He grips my shoulder encouragingly.

“Thanks. I’m gonna hit the shower.”

The waitress pauses beside our table. “Would you like coffee or dessert?”

“I’d love a black coffee,” dad replies.

“What about you, sir?” she directs at me. My stomach has been tied in knots the entire time we’ve been here. All through dinner I waited for the bomb to be dropped, and nada. But now that we’re running out of time I know it’s coming.

“No, thank you.”

She walks away and I remove the napkin from my lap, placing it on the table in front of me.

“What’s this I hear about you changing your major?” Fuck. There it is. How does he know?

“Don’t look so surprised. Did you think I don’t know everything that goes on with you, son?”

“I don’t think it’s something you need to know. It’s my college education and I get to choose what I want my degree to be in.”

“Secondary Education is not a degree program of any value for you.”

“It is if I want to teach English to middle schoolers.”

“Trevor, you’re going to switch back to a business major tomorrow. I already put in a call to the dean and he said it’s not too late to make the change.”

“Dad, I’m not majoring in business. I don’t want to work in that field. I’m going to do what I want, not what you want.”

“And I’m footing the bill.”

“I’m here on a full scholarship.”

“Who pays your rent and gives you spending money?”

“You do.”

“Exactly. I do. Tomorrow you’re going to rectify this situation.”

Raking a hand through my hair, my frustration shows. “Dad, I want to teach English. I’ve been thinking about it for two years and I finally made up my mind.”

“I don’t care if you’ve thought about it for ten years, it’s not happening. Do you know how little money teachers make? How do you expect to support yourself and a family on that income?”

“I’m still planning on trying for the NFL. The teaching is what I want to do after I retire from football.”

My father laughs. “You want to go from a multi million dollar contract to making fifty thousand dollars a year? That’s quite a lifestyle change.”

“Don’t mock me, Dad. I’ll make millions in salary and endorsements and invest wisely. I don’t need all the trappings of wealth. I’m not that guy. I’ve given this a lot of thought and I know it’s what I want. Why can’t you support me?”

“I’m looking out for your best interests because you’re not able to do so.”

“Does mom know?”

“No, she doesn't. But I’m sure she’d feel the same.”

“I doubt that very much. Mom would want me to be happy regardless of what job I chose. That’s what parents are supposed to do.”

“Your mother has the luxury of not worrying about those things because I take care of them for her. I’ll be the bad guy if it means a better future for you.”

“Dad, you’re not listening to me. I want to be an English teacher.” He stares at me broodingly. The silence stretches on endlessly and I want to shout to break it. I don’t get a chance to calm down before the waitress returns, dropping off his coffee. Her eyes take me in and I’m sure she can see my anger. Once she walks away my dad shifts his weight in the seat drawing my gaze toward him.

“If you really want to be an English teacher you’re going to have to prove it to me.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“You’re going to get a job and pay your rent, food, phone, and car insurance. I’ll still cover your health insurance, but that’s all.” What?

“Dad, how am I going to find a job that will pay me enough to take care of all those bills?”

“That’s not my problem. Change your major back to business and I’ll keep paying for everything. If you really want this, and my support, then you’ll figure it out.” Son of a bitch. I can’t believe he’s doing this. Fuck him. I’ll find a way to make this work. I don’t need his money.

“Okay. If that’s what it’ll take to prove how serious I am about this, so be it.”

“You better find a job fast. Rent is due in less than two weeks.”