Elijah
I’d tried to call Cat three times over the last two hours, yet every time it had gone to voicemail. That was one of the reasons I had avoided relationships—they interfered with my focus.
I had a game in less than an hour and the only thing I could think of was where she was and what she was doing. Being stuck a few hours away, unable to go to her was frustrating but for now I knew I had to let it go. I had a game to play and teammates counting on me.
With each play, shit only got worse. I never had a problem leading the offensive line until now. It was pathetic; I was a disgrace to myself, my team, and my university.
***
I was sore, irritable and pissed about my performance. Yanking off my pads, I tossed them to the ground and no one around me said a word. Most of them knew I could be a total dick and it just happened to be one of those times.
I sat down on the bench with my phone in hand and saw the light flashing on top. Hitting the button to wake it up, I found one missed call and one text from Catherine. Adrenaline rushed through me, even more so than during the game. I clicked on the unread text and felt my heart rate spike.
My Kitty: You look so vicious out there on the field.
I stared at the screen wondering what she meant. As far as I knew she’d never been to a game, but maybe I was wrong.
Forgetting the text, I clicked on the phone icon and called her. When she picked up, I felt the tension in my body fade. How could her voice do that?
“I’d say good game but…” She didn’t finish the sentence.
“It wasn’t,” I completed it for her.
“I’ve heard all types of stories about how aggressive and dominating you are on the field. I came hoping for a show. What happened?”
“You’re here?” I stood and grabbed my t-shirt, quickly pulling it over my head.
“Got here right as it was starting. I wanted to surprise you.”
I was already moving toward the exit, practically jogging down the corridor. “Where are you?”
Behind the stadium, near the locker room exit.” My heart raced. “Or at least I hope it’s the locker room you’re in.” She paused. “Maybe it’s the opposing team’s.”
I exited and began looking around when I spotted her about ten feet away. Instead of reassuring her, I moved toward her without speaking a word.
Stepping up behind her, I lowered the phone. “You’re in the right place.”
She spun around to face me and immediately I noticed a red mark on her jaw. Reaching out, I placed my finger beneath her chin and tilted upward to get a better look. “What happened?”
Turning away she brushed it off. “I’m a klutz and apparently can’t walk and talk at the same time.” She touched the space with her hand and didn’t flinch, so I figured it wasn’t much. “I was walking out of Building A after class and didn’t realize the door was closing. Someone had just walked out and stupid me thought whoever it was would be a gentleman and hold it open. I guess I was wrong.”
“That asshole,” I say, only half joking.
“I’m okay, I was more embarrassed than hurt.”
Leaning forward, I pressed a kiss to her jaw. “I’m glad you’re here.” Standing tall once more, I held my hand out and linked my fingers through hers. “Why didn’t you answer earlier?”
“I was driving and my phone was in my bag.”
Seemed like a lame excuse but obviously she was driving since she was there now. “You threw off my game.”
“And how did I do that?” She cocked her head to the side, a smirk covering her lips.
“When you wouldn’t answer it pissed me off.” Her brows arched. “I’m not used to having distractions during a game.”
“So I’m a distraction.” I could tell she was trying to hold onto her sass but there was a question in her eyes that I immediately regretted placing there.
I wrapped my arm around her waist and rested our linked hands together on her lower back, pulling her closer. “I’ve managed to make it this far without ever having something take precedence over the game. It just amazes me how you’ve changed that.”
“I didn’t—”
I pressed the thumb of my opposite hand against her lips, halting her words.
“You did, you just didn’t have to try that hard. I think I knew that first day I saw you in Porter’s that you were the one girl who would knock me on my ass. I felt it that day and every day after, even though I didn’t even know your name.”
Her throat bobbed when she swallowed hard.
“Just do me a favor.” She nodded. “Answer me when I call before a game. If I keep playing the way I did tonight my team and coach may kick my fucking ass.” She smiled beneath my finger but agreed with another nod before moving in closer. I lowered my hand just before she lifted herself up higher to press a kiss to my lips.
“I promise,” she whispered and suddenly the fact that I had just played what was probably the worst game in the history of my football career no longer mattered.
“Tell me you’re staying.” If she said no, she would be quickly assured otherwise. There was no way I was letting her drive back tonight.
“I kinda have to.” She stepped back the little amount I would allow and looked up at me. “I kind of used all the gas I had in my car to get here and forgot my wallet at home.”
“So you’re stranded?”
“Yeah.”
“Lucky me.” Damn lucky. “Looks like I have the upper hand. It would seem that you need me in order to get back home and I need you to relieve this tension I feel.”
“Lucky me.” I smiled when she bit her lower lip. Fuck, my girl was a secret seductress.
“Lucky us,” I corrected just before I began dragging her toward the parking lot. “I’ll text Coach and tell him I have a ride.”
She giggled as we hurried across the asphalt in search of her car. “Are you in a hurry?”
Seeing her car, I continued to move; when we stepped up to its side I pulled her body in front of my own. I pinned her between me and the car, looking her over. “How have you managed to make me miss you so much in less than one fucking day? I feel like it’s been days, weeks even.”
Was it possible to be addicted to someone else’s touch? If so, I was. Fuck, her hands, her lips, they were all something I felt I needed to survive.
“You’re going with me on the camping trip, right?”
“Camping trip?”
I figured she’d heard, being so close with Morgan and Marcus.
“Every year all of us guys from the fraternity get together and go up to Lake Griffin. We canoe, hike, and just chill out for a long weekend.” She was still just watching me without agreeing to or denying my invite. “We sleep in tents, yes, on the ground, though don’t tell the guys but my aunt bought me a self-inflatable mattress.” I winked when her smile widened. “I’ll even share with you, but you have to sleep real close because it’s only meant for one.”
“I’ve never gone camping before.”
“We’ll have a fire each night and I’ll keep you warm and safe.”
“I’m sure you will, I never once doubted that.”
“What do you say?” I waited for her to reply, feeling my chest tighten with the idea that she might say no.
“I’m still trying to imagine you,” she looked over me, my shoulders and my chest before looking back into my eyes, “fitting into a canoe.”
Unable to hold back my laughter, I leaned in closer and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Always a smart ass,” I teased. “You gonna go with me or what?”
“When?”
“Two weeks over the extended weekend during Columbus Day.”
“Okay,” she says, “but I’m sure Pete is gonna love the idea of both Morgan and me being gone at the same time.”
“I’ll handle Pete.”
“No.” She looked up at me with the most serious look I’ve ever seen her convey. “I’ll talk to Pete.”
Between her and Morgan…I swore they had some type of protective nature over the guy. X and I wouldn’t hurt him; just maybe intimidate him a bit into granting them time off.