Not exactly ideal heading into our first game.
Carter’s gaze sweeps the room and settles on an empty table that’s about as far away from my own as she can get. Nice. “I’ve got a lot of reading to do,” she says, tugging the strap of her backpack. “I think I’ll just go sit over there where it’s quiet.”
I can’t exactly fault her logic, but fortunately, her stomach growls at that exact moment. Most women I know would be mortified, but Carter appears unfazed. Still, it’s an opening and I’m not about to let an opportunity pass.
“Come on.” I nod toward the back corner. “We’ve got snacks, but Vaughn’s likely to devour them if we don’t get over there.”
She bites her lower lip, seeming to debate the offer, before finally shaking her head and relenting, her dark eyes wary. “Thanks, I missed dinner,” she says, falling in step with me. Her elbow brushes mine and a jolt of awareness slides up my arm before settling low in my gut.
The guys scoot down and make room for Carter, giving her the seat directly across from me. We settle back in as she unpacks her bag, hefting a textbook that must be three inches thick onto the table.
“Holy shit! You carry that thing around with you? It must weigh like twelve pounds,” Coop says, a look of disbelief on his face. Then he reaches out and squeezes her bicep. “These scrawny things must be stronger than they look.” He flashes her a mischievous grin that’s helped him score in more ways than one. “You know, I could show you a few good exercises to—”
“My arms are fine,” Carter protests, swatting his hand away. She’s not wrong. Her toned arms are golden brown from the summer sun and there’s nothing scrawny about them. “And if you touch me again,” she says, giving him a saccharine smile, “I might accidentally drop that book on your foot.”
I’m pretty sure she’s serious, but Coop just laughs and shakes his head.
“Now that I’d like to see.” Vaughn grins at Carter and extends his giant paw. She shakes it, looking only slightly intimidated by our token mountain man. “I’m Vaughn, by the way. Nice to finally meet you.”
“Same,” she says, although her stilted reply lacks the sincerity of Vaughn’s words.
“And that troublemaker over there is DJ Parker,” I say, nodding at the last of my roommates.
“S’up?” Parker lifts his chin in greeting.
“Hey,” Carter replies, grabbing a bag of trail mix from the pile of booty and tearing it open. She pops a handful in her mouth and chews ravenously. Two ounces of nuts does not a dinner make, so I toss another bag her way. It lands on her textbook, and Vaughn leans in for a closer look.
“Mechanical engineering, huh?” Vaughn studies her with new appreciation. “Tough major.”
“Damn, girl. You must be a brain,” Parker chimes in. “Me? I’ll take the soft subjects every day of the week.”
Yeah, right. Parker may be studying communications, but he’s no slouch. The guy’s super smart and could easily handle a more rigorous major, but it would be a waste of time since he’s hoping to work in sports broadcasting where he can put his charm to good use.
Carter shrugs, pretending it’s no big deal despite the telltale blush creeping up her neck. “It’s not so bad. I’ve always enjoyed STEM classes.”
“STEM?” Vaughn asks, leaning forward with genuine interest.
“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.” Carter opens her book not so subtly. It’s clear she’s done with the interview portion of the evening, but the guys aren’t letting up. I consider intervening but decide to keep my mouth shut. Getting to know one another on a personal level is an important part of team bonding and Carter could sure as shit use some friends on the team.
Besides, the guys are on their best behavior.
Parker grabs one of her notebooks—clearly not worried about the threat of a twelve-pound textbook—and holds it up for inspection. “So what’s the deal with your name anyway? Kennedy Carter? Your parents hoping to raise the first female president or what?”
Carter shifts in her seat, not meeting his gaze. Parker’s teasing is harmless, totally in good fun. Anyone who knows him would see that, but the thing is, Carter doesn’t know Parker. She doesn’t know any of us beyond her preconceived notions, which I’m pretty sure she’d sum up asdouchebag football players.
As much as that attitude irritates the shit out of me, Carter’s part of the team. I owe her the same support I’d give any of the guys.
“Knock it off, Parker.” I grab the notebook and hand it back to Carter. “Some of us actually need to study and you’re disturbing the peace.” I glance over his shoulder and lift my chin, indicating a particularly pissed-off looking guy who’s glaring at us over the top of a physics book.
“You know what?” Carter says, scooping up her books and pressing them to her chest. “I’m going to grab another table. It was really nice meeting you,” she says, looking from Vaughn to Parker, “but I really work better on my own. I guess I’ll…see you at practice.”
Well, fuck me.
10
KENNEDY
I settlemy things at a new table on the far end of the reading room and haul ass for the stacks. I don’t actually need anything other than a break from the intense stares and endless questions of my teammates. Having all those guys looking at me, constantly probing?
