“Yep. Passed all the concession protocol tests with flying colors. I have to wear a face mask for the next week when on the field, just to be safe, but I’ve been cleared to get back out on the pitch.” I’ve missed being out there with my teammates. Fútbol is where I can be me, the one thing my father allowed me to do as long as it didn’t interfere with his plans. It’s where I get to let out all my frustration on the ball and our opponents.
“Good.” She rushes ahead of me to grab the door, and as she holds it open, she asks, “So who’s the new hottie?”
I roll my eyes as I pass her. “No one. Just a friend of a friend.”
“A friend of a friend who rescued you from that piece of shit Wilson. Ugh, I never liked him. Can’t figure out what you ever saw in him.” Janey slips her arm through mine. “Now this new guy—there’s a story and I want the tea. Spill it.”
“No story,” I huff. “You remember Freddie?”
“Yep.” She snaps her fingers. “Wait. Is he the dude who went with you and her on spring break? The one…” leaning in, she lowers her voice, “who kissed you? Did Wilson find out about that? Is that why he went apeshit crazy?”
That’s what I get for letting them talk me into doing shots with them at Margo’s going-away party. I got a little tipsy and loose-lipped. Spilled the beans about what happened between Darius and me before he ran off like the chickenshit he is. I swore her to secrecy, because if Wilson learned about it, hell would rain down on me.
“No.” I drop my backpack next to an empty table. “He lost his shit because he got caught cheating in one of his classes, and thought it was me who told. It wasn’t.”
Not completely a lie, but I’m not about to reveal the real reason. No one here would understand, and they’d have more questions I don’t want to answer.
“But who cares?” I drop into my chair. “I’m just glad he’s gone.”
“I’m not surprised. Now tell me why you don’t want to take advantage of the other guy. He seems interested. And don’t tell me you’re not. The way you described that kiss…” She fans herself. “Now you’re free to do it again. I bet he fucks better than Willy.”
Closing my eyes, I try not to think about it. “I will never find out. He’s too old for me. Plus, he’s a player, and I refuse to beone of his playthings. I just want to focus on school and fútbol, nothing else.”
“You need fun in your life, too, Ingrid. That’s part of the total college experience.” Something catches her eye behind me, and she smirks. “Maybe a nice fling with an older, experienced male is exactly what you need.”
I’m about to tell her she’s crazy, but before I can get it out the chair next to me pulls out and the very person we’re talking about drops into it. The faint scent of leather washes over me, sending a shiver down my spine. I refuse to turn to acknowledge him, do my best to ignore him even though I can feel him staring.
Swallowing, I reach into my bag and pull out my notebook and pencil. “What do you want? I’m busy.”
“I came to see what the trainer said.” He leans back in the chair, crossing his long legs under the table. “So?”
I try not to let the fact that he remembered I was going in today affect me. But, fucking hell, it kind of does.
“Clear and good. You can stop worrying about me now. Go away and get back to your life.” I flip open my notebook and look up to see Janey shaking her head, while she stares at the man next to me.
Darius leans in, supporting himself with his elbows on the table. “Not happening. You’ve gotten under my skin, cupcake.”
Janey makes a stupid humming sound that has me rolling my eyes. Why do girls do that? His nickname isn’t cute; it’s fucking annoying.
“I’m not your cupcake. Please stop calling me that.”
“Can’t.” He taps my arm and reveals why he refuses to drop the ridiculous nickname. “Not when you smell like a damn cupcake and make me want to lick frosting off your sweet treat.”
I turn to him wide-eyed, the heat from his words making me flush all over. “You did not just say that.”
Janey giggles. “He did.”
The smirk on his face makes me want to smack him. “I did. It’s true. One day I’ll?—”
My hand flies up and covers his mouth. “Shut up. We arenottalking about that here in the goddamn library. And that’s not happening. I’ve told you this. I’m not interested in dating you.”
“Hold up!” Janey shrieks from across the table. “He actually asked you to date him? And you said no? I think you need to go back to the trainer and get your head checked again.”
“My head’s fine,” I tell my friend. “Now can we start studying? I really need to get an A on this test so I can keep that A I’ve worked hard to maintain. This unit is kicking my arse.”
Long arms reach across the table. The book Janey pulled out and placed between us disappears. Darius leans back in his seat and appears to be reading it. Once he’s done, he places the book back down and says, “I hated that class. I’ll let you all study for an hour, then I’m coming back and taking you out on a date.”
“What?” I shake my head. “No.”
