I glanced around to see Jonas and Marlon watching us. “Which is what? You’re flapping your gums now, but I’m not hearing anything.”
“I’ve heard some girls say you’re not into them, no matter how hard they try. What’s up with that?”
I’d prepared for times like this. With a lazy grin, I leaned on the wall of lockers. “You’ve been talking to my sloppy seconds, Zeke? What makes you think I need to get it on with every woman I see? I’m not a hound dog. Maybe I have standards.”
Zeke snorted. “Yeah, sure. They said you’ll do it all except slip it to them. What’s the matter? Can’t get it up for some pussy?”
With a frown, Jonas intervened. “Man, you need to stop speaking about women like that. I didn’t talk about my relationship with Ebony until we were serious. Leave Dev alone.”
“Let him talk. He’s got a bug up his ass about me, and he’s bringing Blink into it for no reason. Guy’s only been here a minute.”
“I don’t got nothing up my ass. Can you say the same?” He snickered, and I lost it and pushed him up against the locker door.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
By now a crowd had gathered, and Zeke’s lips curled. “You a pitcher or a catcher? Maybe you and good ole boy Blink here were living it up down South in more ways than one.”
I poked him in the chest. “Why, ’cause I don’t go waving my dick in front of every woman and get myself into trouble? I’m not the one running to Coach to help get him out of his messes.” Two women had already proved that Zeke fathered their children, and he was supposed to be paying a nice chunk of child support. “First thing I learned in college from my coach was wrap it up. Next was football first. Too bad you can’t say the same.”
“All I’m saying—”
I cupped my ear. “You’re still talking? You’re even more of a fucking idiot than I thought. Stay out of my way and keep my name and Blink’s out of your dumbass mouth.”
I walked away but I heard Zeke snipe, “Protecting your boy?”
Red flashed before my eyes, but Jonas held me by the arm.
“Don’t,” he warned. “Coach will fine you for fighting, and that dude ain’t worth it. Besides, Blink can take care of himself. Lookit.”
Brody took my place in front of Zeke and, towering over him, pointed a finger in his face.
“I’m nobody’s boy, get it? My momma taught me to respect women and not talk about them like you do. Now shut the fuck up and get outta my way, you hear?” Brody knocked Zeke’s shoulder on his way past, sending him stumbling a few steps. “See y’all later.”
He strode out of the room, and I dropped my towel and got dressed without another word. Everyone else started talking as if nothing happened. Marlon took out his crossbody bag and slung it over his chest.
“Don’t listen to that motherfucker. He should be more concerned about kicking the ball than talking some stupid shit. You do you, brother.”
“I plan on it. No one is entitled to my private life. Or yours, yours, or yours.” I pointed to each of my teammates. “Just because we play ball doesn’t mean we have to perpetuate the stereotype of wild men running after women like dogs with their tongues hanging out. I don’t know about you, but I respect women. I think of them as more than sexual objects.”
Jonas nodded vehemently. “Right on. I got three sisters, and if anyone thinks they’re supposed to put out, they’d better tell that to my face.”
My teammates crowded around me.
“You’re right.”
“Damn straight.”
“Anyone ever talked about my mama like that, I’ll knock their head off.”
“You know it. Fuck that shit.”
Zeke slammed the door to his locker and stalked out. My wildly galloping pulse steadied, and I pulled my bag over my shoulder. Crisis averted.While Brody had to be upset, I needed to remain behind with my team and be the leader I was.
“See you all tomorrow. Only a few more days until preseason. Let’s get ready to kick some butt.”
A shout rose in the room, and I walked out with Marlon, only to be stopped by Coach Jackson.
“Summers, hold up a sec.”
