2
Vinnie
“Well, you done fucked up.”Clarence runs a towel over his wet hair, giving me that judgmental look only he can pull off.“For a city kid, you sure are a dumb mothafucka.”
“Dude, I didn’t do anything.”I lean over, resting my elbows on my knees, and stare at the puddle of water near my feet.“Why can’t she like someone else?”
For the first time in my life, I don’t want the attention of a woman.Tracie Turner is the team owner’s granddaughter—and very much batshit crazy.
Before I signed with Chicago, she followed me around and would show up at campus parties, even though she wasn’t a student, and did everything she could to get my attention and my cock.
Nothing worked.
I have very few limits, but crazy-as-shit is on top of my “Do Not Fuck”list.
I was at least that smart.I could do mildly wacky, but Tracie was way beyond that point.She was one step away from a padded cell and a straightjacket, but her family’s money sheltered her, keeping her safe and walking the streets.
I thought she’d leave me alone once I started training for the start of the season.I had hoped someone in her family or the front office would tell her to back off, but no one did.Or if they had, she didn’t listen.
Clarence shakes his head as he drops his towel to the tile floor of the locker room.“You’re too nice to that insane bitch.”
“I try to be nice to everyone.Hello,” I say, pointing at my chest with my thumbs.“I’m the new kid, dumbass.I can’t be a total dick.”
I haven’t proven myself on the field or earned a starting spot, something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little boy.With the retirement of the previous quarterback, the spot is open, but there are three of us fighting for the position.
I won’t do anything to ruin my chances, including being mean to Tracie.
“To her, you can.”
I scrub my hand across my face, wishing I could find a way to pass Tracie on to someone else.“There has to be a way to get rid of her.”
“You just have to wait her out.She’ll eventually find someone else to harass, but that won’t be until winter when the new meat hits the scene.”He laughs, finding joy in my agony.“For now, you’re stuck with her following you around, trying to get in your pants.”He yanks his shirt over his head before leveling me with his dark-brown eyes.“Do not, under any circumstances, sleep with her.”
My mouth gapes open.“Come on.Give me some credit, Clarence.”
He raises an eyebrow.“I’ve seen better men than you fall victim to her brand of insanity.They were immediately traded and eventually faded out of existence.”
“Fuck,” I hiss, standing quickly to finish dressing and get the hell out of the locker room.
“Tracie,” someone calls out from the other side of the lockers, alerting the entire room that the nutty bitch has arrived.“You’re not supposed to be in here.”
Clarence looks at me and winces.“You better hustle your ass right out of here.”He pauses for a minute and looks around the locker room.“Better yet, don’t leave until she does.Stay in a public place surrounded by lots of people.Don’t let her get you alone.”
“Will you stay with me?”I ask him, hoping he’ll at least be by my side as I try to stop Tracie from touching me.
He shakes his head.“I got a hot date with my lady, and if I’m late, there will be hell to pay.”
“Way to have my back, bro.”
“Sweetheart, there you are,” Tracie says as she comes around the lockers and finds us staring at each other, not moving.
Clarence doesn’t even try to hide his laughter as Tracie’s high heels click on the tile behind me.He doesn’t bother with a hello or a goodbye before he walks away, leaving me alone with her.Well, as alone as one can be in a locker room filled with people, including the press.
“Hey.”I don’t look in her direction as I reach into my locker for my shirt.
The last thing I want to do is be half dressed around her.She’s always trying to touch me, and the way she looks at my bare chest always gives me the creeps.I’m not sure if she wants to lick me or peel off my skin with a small Swiss Army knife and wear it around like the insane fucker inSilence of the Lambs.
She leans against the lockers, raking her eyes across my skin before I can pull the shirt over my head.“There’s a hot party tonight.”
