I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah, you pulled it off. Barely.”
“Hey,” he grins, slapping my back, “you’re welcome.”
We file inside, the buzz of victory still hanging in the air. Someone cranks up Congratulations by Post Malone to amplify the energy, and the entire team is riding high off the win. Guys laugh, throw towels, and discuss what bars we’re heading to after… but my mind is already somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else.
Troy’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Yo, Earth to Jared! You coming out tonight or what?”
I blink, shaking off the image of celebrating with Alli in bed. “Huh? Yeah, man. I’m in.”
He smirks, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “Good. After that win, we need to celebrate.”
Hunter sidles up next to us, nodding. “Bet it’s the girl. Saw her in the stands tonight.”
“Girl? You settling down?” Nate questions, wrapping the towel around his neck.
“Sure did,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual, but I can’t help the stupid grin that spreads across my face.
Nate lets out a low whistle. “Damn, didn’t think you were the type. I heard you dodged girls left and right.”
“Yeah, man. I remember when we first met Jared, he wouldn’t evensaythe word ‘girlfriend,’” Troy chuckles, shaking his head.
“Yeah, well, things change,” I shoot back, tossing my helmet onto the bench.
“So, who’s the unlucky girl you tricked into dating you?” Hunter asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
I scoff, throwing a towel at him. “Unlucky?”
The guys laugh, and Nate rolls his eyes. “Right, because you’re such a catch.”
“Hey, I’m afantasticcatch,” I defend, flashing a smirk.
Hunter leans in closer, a conspiratorial grin on his face. “We need to set up a meeting. You know, see if she can handle you.”
Chase, who’s been quiet the whole time, finally speaks up. “If she can deal with your ass, she’s gotta be tough.”
The locker room erupts in laughter again, and I can’t help but join in. They’re not wrong.
Once we finish getting ready, I grab my bag and throw it over my shoulder, ready to head out. As we make our way toward the exit, the anticipation of the night wraps around us, and just before we step outside, I catch a glimpse of someone waiting by the entrance. I contain a smile like the Joker’s and press a hand over my heart, as though it would stop it from thumping.
Alli’s leaning against the wall, wearing a CCU maroon top emblazoned with our mascot, Benny the Bear, and a black mini skirt that shows off her legs. The way her hair catches the light has me mesmerized, and that feigned innocent smile she wears lights up a dark hallway like it’s the only thing that matters.
“Hey, wide receiver! I heard you won,” she teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“I did. The power of my girlfriend being in the stands helped me out quite a bit in the first half.” I reply, a grin spreading across my face. I pull her closer, my hands settling on her hips.
“Girlfriend buff, you say?” Alli arches an eyebrow.
Before I can respond, she wraps her hands around my neck and leans in for a quick peck, completely unbothered by the sea of people around us.
“Definitely girlfriend buff,” I confirm, returning the kiss but pulling back just in time to keep it from getting too R-rated. My heart’s pounding, and I can feel my cock getting harder by the second, but I know I need to keep things light for now.
Just as I’m savoring the moment, a familiar voice breaks through the crowd.
“Look who’s all cozy!” Kevin calls out, striding over with a smirk plastered across his face. Nate follows right behind him,feigning shock. “Didn’t know you two were getting all lovey-dovey on us.”
Alli steps back, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks, but she laughs it off. “Just congratulating him.”
Chase joins the group then, throwing his arm around Haley’s shoulder as she smiles at us. “Moving on,” he says with a grin, “will you two be joining us tonight? We’re celebrating the big dub.”
