“Need a ride anywhere? Your little hooptie ain’t gonna make it around the block,” he laughed at his corny ass joke.
“No thanks. I’ve got Uber right here on my phone in case my Honda decides to poop out on me.” I wouldn’t need it, of course. My car was only ten years old and ran in excellent condition thanks to my keeping up with the necessary maintenance. But to men like Leonard Riggs a ten-year-old, paid off, reliable car was unsightly. It didn’t meet the standard his year and a half old, multi-million dollar contract in the NFL had afforded him. Laughing, I shook my head at the ridiculousness of the situation. Leonard Riggs had come from very humble beginnings but was now looking down on my car because it wasn’t up to his baller status standards.
“You’ll need it with that piece of shit.”
“If you say so, Mr. Riggs. Just make sure you have your homework done for next week’s class.”
“Man, fuck that—” His retort was cut off once I slammed my door shut and started my vehicle up. I didn’t even spare him a second glance as I pulled out of my spot and maneuvered out of the parking lot.
Fucking athletes.
****
Tyler
I watched as she walked away, my head cocked to the side, admiring her going as much as I’d admired her coming. She held her head high, back straight, shoulders back as if she knew she owned the attention of those around her. As if that was how it should be naturally. The fact that she hadn’t shown even the slightest bit of intimidation in the lecture hall had left me intrigued. Her refusal to say my first name left me compelled. But her response when I’d called her by her name for the first time left me in awe. I rubbed my lips together just as she turned the corner, disappearing from my line of sight, leaving a burning desire to learn more about her in her wake.
“Tyler,” Coach McClellan called, snapping me back from the edges of reality.
I turned in the coach’s direction, and finally stepped fully into his office.
“Don’t even think about it,” he warned.
I wrinkled my brows in confusion.
“Fuck that look. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Leave Destiny McDonald alone. She’s out of your league and Brenda would kill me if anything happened to her. She’s very fond of that girl. And when my wife gets upset, I get upset.”
I chuckled. “You sound like my father.”
Coach grunted. “Robert and I have a lot in common.”
I waved him off. I didn’t draw too much attention to the fact that my father and my head coach were good friends.
I was, however, tempted to ask for my coach to tell me everything he knew about Destiny McDonald. And I meanteverything.But I doubted he’d be receptive to my request. I had other ways of finding out what I wanted to know.
“Look, Ty, this season’s important for our team. With you, Riggs, and Maynard in the lineup, we’re unstoppable on offense. Our defensive line is stronger than ever, and we haven’t had a chance to take this team all of the way in a long time. I need your head in the game.”
“My head’s always in the game, Coach. You know that.”
Mike frowned, lifting a suspicious blond eyebrow. “The past few years say otherwise.”
I grunted. “None of my off-field bullshit has ever affected my on the field stats.”
Mike nodded. “I am aware. But this is deeper than your performance on the field. You and I both know your desire to become a coach one day. Your antics could get in the way of that dream.”
I inhaled and pushed all the air out of my lungs. I didn’t want to hear what Coach McClellan was saying but I knew he was right. Not many people knew of my desire of becoming a head football coach one day. I loved playing more than anything but I wasn’t stupid. Most professional athletes didn’t play more than a decade at the highest level. And in spite of my family’s wishes, going into the family business at Townsend Industries just wasn’t my calling.
I snorted. “I’ll rein it in coach.”
“You need to do more than rein it in, Townsend. You need to step up.”
I furrowed my brows angrily. “I bust my ass every time I step out on that field.”
Coach nodded slightly. “I never doubted your commitment to this team, but what I’m saying is, as you’re entering your fourth season, third season as a starter for our team, the younger guys are looking up to you. I know how big of a pain in the ass some of them can be, trust me. You were one of the biggest.”
I pulled my head back in mock offense. “Coach, I’m hurt you would even—”
“Cut the shit, Townsend.” He waved me off with his hand.
