“Military brat. I never amassed enough stats in one place to impress college scouts.” I stuffed my mouth with fries in an effort to stop the inquisition into a sore subject.
“What about you, Tamatoa? Your old team was the Warriors?” Finn asked, gesturing to Tamatoa’s T-shirt that read ‘Warrior.’
“It’s his name, which kinda fits,” I chimed in, happy for the spotlight to move off me.
Tamatoa puffed up his chest and unleashed his monster grin. “Where I’m from, Samoans play football to show our warrior heritage.”
Bax and Finn shook their heads, smiles playing over their mouths.
Callahan shot him speculative narrowed eyes. “As long as you bring it in the trenches, you can call yourself whatever the hell you want.”
“We’ll see how badass a warrior you are when we’re double-teaming you in practice next week,” Finn said, the dare evident in the gleam of his eye. “You’re a Ju-Co transfer, yeah?”
Tamatoa nodded.
“What gives, man? Your size alone should have been enough for you to start in the FBS.”
The air went out of the warrior child’s chest, and he ducked his head, mumbling, “I kinda put more emphasis on football than academics in high school. Had to build up my GPA before they’d let me into the big leagues.”
“Keeping up your GPA is a thing here,” Bax said, his tone serious. “We don’t just like to kick our cross-state rivals’ asses on the field—we like to make them look dumb in the classroom too.”
“I got that when Coach Larkin recruited me,” Tamatoa said around stuffing his face with a couple of spring rolls. “Don’t you worry. I got my act together. Earned my Associate’s with a B- average.” Two more spring rolls disappeared into his mouth with impressive speed.
“If you’re ever having trouble with classes, there are guys on the team who will help. Tutors too,” Finn said before he ate half a taco in one bite.
“Good to know,” Tamatoa said. “Now for the important info—are the rumors true about the crazy-wild Wildcats groupies? ’Cause I can get on board with that right now.” That grin came out again, leaving no doubt the big guard was going to break a lot of those groupies’ hearts.
Bax and Finn exchanged a smirk while Callahan shook his head.
“They’re true,” Bax said, waggling his brows. “So you’d better be careful how you unleash that killer grin you got going there, W.C.”
In another life I might have been all over the idea of football groupies, But a picture of a pretty brunette with electric-blue eyes and the biggest damn heart in the world took up all the available space in my head, leaving no room for thoughts of any girl except her.
As we rolled out of the cafeteria, Bax asked, “Where am I taking you boys?” He meant Tamatoa and me.
“My truck is at the field,” Tamatoa said.
“I’m good. I caught a ride with him.” I gestured to my roommate. “See you guys this afternoon.”
As I stepped off the curb to cross the street, Finn stopped me. “You got somewhere you gotta be?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Why?”
“No reason. Thought you might want to join us at the house to play someCOD.”
Well, fuck. I didn’t want to alienate my new teammates, but I also needed to get to the bottom of whatever was going on with Taryn. Then I remembered she’d said she’d be working a double today. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I checked the hours for the Coffee Kiosk.
Excellent. She’d just be closing up shop when I rolled in after evening practice.
“COD, huh? You do know I served in the military, right?”
“Sounds like a dare,” Finn countered with a grin.
“Sounds like the new guy is going to kick your ass,” I said.
“Didn’t take near as long as I thought it would for the cocky in you to come out.” Callahan smirked as we all piled back into Bax’s truck. “It’s gonna be fun to see if you can back it up.”
?Chapter Nine
