TWENTY-NINE
Austin
I stared down at my phone. Brooke wasn’t answering my calls or texts again? Was she pissed about how I acted around Coach? Or was something wrong?
Teddy walked in the kitchen as I leaned against the counter in front of the sink.
“Hey, glad I caught you.”
“What’s up?”
“Have you heard about Brooke?”
I stood up straight.
“Did something happen?”
“All I’ve heard is that she’s in trouble for attacking some woman with Jocelyn two nights ago.”
“That makes no sense,” I said, shaking my head. “She was with me that night.”
“From what a Junior told me, she’s not saying anything to them, which is pissing the cops off even more. I think she’s protecting you, man. Didn’t you say your coach saw you two together at Marticello's and you lied to him about her?”
“Yeah,” I said. “But how would he find out if she tells them she was with me?”
“Fucking school newspaper, man. We’ll do anything to get clicks these days, even something like who a big star like you is dating.”
“That’s messed up, bro.”
“Tell me about it. I’m seriously thinking about switching majors.”
“Yeah,” I said absent-mindedly. “Thanks for watching out.”
“No problem.”
I nodded my head.
After he left the kitchen, I walked to the stadium for evening practice.
While I hoped she was okay, I couldn’t be late again or Coach would go nuts. The closer I got to graduating and going pro, the tougher he’d gotten on me. If I had problems handling what he gave me, though, I’d never make it in the pros.
As I walked across campus toward the stadium, I hoped Brooke would be okay. Would she understand my future career was at stake? Did football mean more to me than love? The questions haunted me the entire way.
* * *
At practice, I found it difficult to concentrate. Was Brooke okay? Should I do something to help her? I hated not being able to go until I finished with football for the day.
Coach noticed my sub-par performance and called me over as the other guys headed back to the locker room. I walked over to him, ready to just get it over with.
“What’s going on with you today?” he barked as I approached.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Are you messing around with a woman?”
“No, Coach,” I lied.
“You’re free to date a woman, but if you do, I’m not going to be able to help you make it all the way to the pros.”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Look at me!” he snarled.
I lifted my head and looked him directly in the eyes.
“If you’re not dedicating yourself one-hundred percent to football, I can’t help you.”
“I’m all in, Coach.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Go get cleaned up. I better not hear any more stories about you getting in trouble or carrying on around campus.”
I nodded seriously then turned and ran to catch up with the others. None of them said a damn word when I walked in the locker room, not even Trey.
“Hey, fellas. Good practice out there.”
“No shit,” Thompson, a rookie, said.
“What did you say?” I asked, turning to him.
I forgot sometimes everyone below me on the totem pole wanted to climb their way to the top and replace me. My problems gave them cause to celebrate.
“Nothing,” he muttered.
“Fucking right you said nothing.”
My anger built up even more as I walked to my locker and began undressing. I did it as quickly as possible, determined to find out exactly what had happened to Brooke.
I sent her a text before jumping in the shower. When I got out, she had replied, telling me she was home and safe but not to come over. Try and stop me, I thought.
After getting dressed, I headed out of the locker room and trekked across campus on foot toward her apartment. I took the path where I’d met her that first night.
Memories of all the sexual encounters and time spent together came rushing back to me as I increased my pace, anxious to see her again. Why hadn’t she used me as an alibi?
Only she had the answer to that question, and I would get her to tell me. Why did love have to be so fucking complicated? Was it even worth all the headaches?
I thought Brooke was worth it in so many ways. If she felt the same about me, we might have a chance of a future together.