“Hey,” Preston says. “We’ve shown you what this stuff can do. I promise it’ll be worth it. Just like it has been for all of us.”
I nod. I’ve seen what they can do. And now that I’ve seen what the Sinners can do, there’s no doubt in my mind the One can help me, which is why I’ve stayed in the game for this long. But a part of me fears all this work will be fornothing.
Preston must see it in my expression because he says, “You’ll get answers about your brother. That’s a promise.”
2
MATTEO
“Nice play,” Itell Alexei, jogging until I come to a halt near him.
Seth heads out of bounds to fetch the ball, which Alexei lost during an impressive moment after he snatched it from me, only losing control when Seth tried to steal.
I don’t typically come to these Thursday pickup games, but earlier today Brad texted to see if I was free since they’d be a person short. I’m not great at soccer by any means, but I didn’t have any plans, and it’s always fun hanging with the crew.
Alexei whirls around, sweat running down his face as he sizes me up, and it’s like he has to snap out of a daze before he can recognize me. “Thanks, man.”
Like when I saw him at the frat party last Friday, he’s got bags under his eyes and is glancing around uneasily.
We’re not friends, more like decent acquaintances, especially since Luke and Brad started seeing each other. He’s usually easygoing, chill. Or was last year. This year, there are moments, but there’s something else there too, and it’s gotten worse recently.
Eh…I’m surely reading too much into it for a guy I don’t know that well.
“Everything cool, man?” I ask.
“Huh? Yeah. Fine.”
“That doesn’t sound sincere.” He looks annoyed that I called him out, so I try to keep the peace. “You have a good time after that party last weekend? Figure you must’ve gotten some action with those tight briefs you were running around in.”
I’m hoping he at least smiles at that. Not sure if it’s a fault or a virtue, but I like cracking jokes to break through tension.
But as Alexei shoots me a glare, I know this was an epic fail.
“No, but I’m guessing Marky Mark did.”
“Of course,” I blurt, then notice he doesn’t look too happy about that. Like he’s even more annoyed than before we started talking, so I guess that was a bust.
I’d say that’s what might be bothering him—not getting enough action—but even for a straight guy, I can tell he’s objectively hot. I doubt he has any issues getting laid.
“Well, didn’t have to make up for that by riding my ass earlier,” I joke.
He smirks. “Just getting into your head enough to get you to slip up. You lost control of the ball, didn’t you?”
There we go! I’ve broken through his defenses. Just a little, but I’ll call it a victory.
“Yeah, well, I guess you’ll see how fair it is when I play that game onyourass.”
“Try me,” he says just as Seth returns with the ball to theboundary line at the edge of the field.
After the throw-in, it doesn’t take Alexei long to take control of the ball, giving me the opportunity to get him back for his mindfuck tactic. At one point, he sneaks a glance over his shoulder, his lips still twisted upward. There’s a light in his eyes I sure as hell haven’t seen today, which encourages me along.
“Keep on. I fucking live for this,” he shouts, and I’m shocked he can shout like that because I’m using enough energy just trying to keep up with the guy.
He’s keeping the ball close, so I fake out like I’m gonna go right, then sneak left, nearly nabbing it. But Alexei’s too quick for me, and he secures the ball once again. I see a flash of someone else before Alexei comes to an abrupt halt and I go flying into his back. We topple to the ground together, my face buried against him, my brain recovering from the surprise.
“Fuck,” Alexei groans.
“You okay, man?” My face is surprisingly comfortable against him, and I realize it’s because it’s buried against his ass.
