The severity of Will’s glare cuts him off before his words do. “I’ll catch you later, Genny,” he says directly to her, and she offers him this small, grateful smile that, for whatever reason, gets right under my skin. As soon as she’s gone and the door shuts, Scott lets out a low whistle.
“Bro,” Scott says, grinning from ear to ear. “I know that Liv is Liv and she’s hot as fuck but how have younever…” he drifts off, waiting for Will to complete the thought. He doesn’t though, just shrugs him off. “Come on, man,” Scott almost begs.
“I don’t buy it either,” Josiah chimes in. “No way you’ve never hit that.” He shoots me a look, a question in his eyes. I just roll mine, not wanting any part of this conversation.
“I would’ve by now,” he mouths for Scott and I to see, like he knows he shouldn’t say it.
“Bro, I’m saying,” Scott says, his exasperation over this almost comical were it not for how much he’s annoying me by drooling over her. Remember the guys who had a Sport Illustrated Swimsuit cover as their phone background in high school? That’s the energy Scott gives anytime a woman walks by.
“It’s not like that,” Will laughs, making an effort to be anything but convincing. Like he wants to leave room for that tonotbe true. I put my head back down, trying my hardest to listen for a shower while tracking the endless scroll on my phone.
“I’m just saying—missed opportunity, Cap. I’m shooting my shot if you won’t.” Scott’s voice is greedy when he says it and it makes my skin crawl. My hand stills, no longer scrolling, as I realize I’m waiting for Will to say something. Instead, I hear him bark his amusement and look up to see him leaning back on the lockers, laughing in disbelief.
“And when sherejectsyou, I’ll show you how it’s done,” Josiah says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’ve seen her checking me out.”
Will gets himself together and takes a deep breath, hissmile spread wide across his face. “She’s not dating either of you fuckers.”
“Okay, asshole—says who?” Scott’s arms are crossed as he takes personal offense to what is just true. Gen’s been unavailable from day one.
The two of them—Will and Gen—showed up tied at the hip their freshman year, and the only person who’s managed to get between them is his girlfriend, Liv. And even then… barely. It’s a toxic situation, one that I can’t imagine anyone wants to get involved in. I guess other than Scott. And maybe Josiah.
“I’m just saying that I know Gen. It’snevergonna happen.”
Scott’s jaw sets as he squints over at our captain, a decision happening in real time in his gaze. “Okay. Bet. And what do I get when Idoget her to go out with me?”
Someone rounds the corner, and I realize there’s a free shower.
Will’s scoff grates like rug burn, even though it’s not directed at me. But it’s the disdain he has for his teammates, the lack of confidence he has in the men he considers his friends—the men he’s supposed to be leading to a championship this fall—that eats at my ability to tolerate him.
“You get Gen to go on a date with you,” he looks at Scott before glancing at Josiah, “and I’ll sit out the last two games of the season.” His eyes practically sparkle, knowing how much of an opportunity that would be—the chance to shine without him stealing all the attention away. It’s an insanely idiotic thing for him to promise. Of course, he knows that. Just like he knows Genevieve Dupont isn’t looking at anyone but him.
Everything Will does is disingenuous. His charm might fool the rest of the guys, might fool Liv and Gen, might foolthe scouts salivating over him in the stands—but it doesn’t fool me.
“You sure you wanna bet that?” I challenge him, the blood roaring in my ears because who the fuck does he think he is? First it’s keeping us in the dark about scouts, now it’s this. The thing is, I don’t think anyone checks him. He’s surrounded by yes men or silent ones.
When Ben told me his younger brother was coming to Astor, that he was a wild-card, had been kicked out of too many training camps to count but was insanely talented with a ball, I honestly thought he was exaggerating. And maybe things would’ve turned out better for Will if Ben hadn’t up and left right before his brother was meant to start—no explanation or warning for even me, his best friend. But we’ll never know; all I do know is that while Will may be the best player on this team, he’s easily the worst person I’ve ever met.
I lock eyes with him, finally stepping up to defend…Gen? The guys? I don’t know who, if I’m being honest, but I can’t help but feel like Will is a loose cannon and that, at some point, his carelessness is going to fuck someone over. And he won’t care one bit.
“He speaks,” Will says to me, his mouth set in a mocking grin, his posture shifting. “You want in?” There’s a cautious glint in his gaze. Like maybe, I make him a little nervous. So I let his question sit there and watch him grow more and more uncomfortable as I turn it over in my head.
When I think about him sitting out for two games, forfeiting the exposure that would bring, when I remember how much the rest of us would have to gain, Ialmostsay yes. But then I think about that girl who looks at him with stars in her eyes, who’s constantly pulling my attention eventhough I’ve never had hers, and premature guilt jackets me, reinforced by a fresh wave of anger.
I push up from the bench and get close enough to confirm that, yes—he’s intimidated. I barely look down at him, and give him a bored smirk.
“Not playing your games, Chapman.”
His throat bobs and relief accompanies his scowl. I don’t hear what he says back; I pop my headphones in and head to the showers, turning the water up high enough to scald the rage simmering right beneath the surface.
My phone slips off the soap holder as it lights up and I catch it,UNKNOWN NUMBERappearing on the screen again. My stomach turns the way it used to as a kid, and I click the ringer off again.
She only calls when she needs something, I tell myself.
I don’t have time for her antics. Don’t have time for Will’s antics.
I don’t have time for any distractions, truthfully. I’m already late to the game as it is.
1
