1
LEO
“You’re up early,” Mom says.
“Yeah. Couldn’t lay there anymore. I’m getting stiff.”
“You should ice and heat, Leo.” Mom worries. It’s nice. Dad worries too, but he also pushes. That can be nice sometimes, but most of the time he pushes when I’m hurting like I am right now.
“I’m going on a run first. Then I think I’ll soak in a tub of ice.”
She clucks her tongue. “You’ll get frostbite, Leo. You need to be careful.”
My dad walks in with a grin. “Leave the boy be, Andi. Damn good game last night, son.”
“Thanks.” That’s nice too.
“Coach needs to talk to your line. You haven’t been this bruised since Freshman year and only then because you were a hell of a lot smaller,” Dad tells me.
“I know it. I can’t take another week like this,” I admit. “The ribs are killer.”
“Do you need to see the doc?” Dad asks.
“Nah,” I shake my head. “I just hope I can heal up enough before next weekend’s game.”
“I’ll dig out the supplies,” Mom yells, leaving the room. By “supplies” she means this ointment she swears by. Honestly, I’m beginning to as well. I’m not sure what it’s made of, but it smells kinda spicy, and it eases the ache. The massage she gives me isn’t bad either.
But first… more pain.
I stretch my muscles that ache so fucking bad I want to cry. I got sacked way too many times last night. The bruises riddling my body are proof. But as they say: No pain, no gain.
I don’t even bother putting my shirt on. I just tuck it into the waistband of my shorts. It’ll be more of a towel than clothing anyway.
I’m stoked Jillie isn’t with Ainsley anymore. I don’t know what they were, but I know they were making out pretty hot and heavy a couple times I saw them. Pissed me off… mostly because it made me jealous. I can admit that to myself, but admit it to anyone else? No.
So, when she was with him, I used a few girls to get myself through. If that makes me a dick, then I’m a dick. They like the screw around as much as I do, so why not? We’re safe, single, and both looking to scratch an itch.
The bad part? It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as the one time with Jillie. Just her laugh gets me hard. Her breathy voice. Jesus, I need to stop thinking of it or I’ll get hard now.
I set off to jog along the beach. I don’t feel like talking to anyone, so I avoid the paved path. Likely I’d run into one of the guys pushing through the misery, too. Besides, the sand is less jarring than the cement.
I put my earbuds in and crank up the tunes. Metal. Heavy metal to get me through this. Pop or rap just isn’t enough.
There’re a few runners on the beach this morning. Not a surprise. But they don’t talk. They merely nod and keep right on going. Occasionally there’s a dog who tries to knock me on my ass, but I think I’m too early for him today—either that or his owner got lucky. Single dude, early 20s. I have no choice but to stop and chat with him. Either that or I have a big furry canine tackling me.
Looking down the beach, I see two figures. The one’s silhouette looks just like Jillie. Couldn’t be. She’s not up this early. Otherwise, I’d have gone to her house first thing to talk to her about the possibility of getting together. I sound stupid. I hope I don’t seem that brainless when I speak to her.
I want the boyfriend/girlfriend thing with her. She’s not like everyone else. She’s straight-up, and she’s sexy. She’s funny, and she’s the one I want to try a relationship with. I’ll have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m going to try. For her, I’d do just about anything.
I narrow my eyes. Yeah, just about anything except be pals with the fucker heading my way right now. Elan Ainsley.
Sure as shit that was Jillie. Did they meet up this morning? Saying goodbye after a night together? Better not be the second one, or I’ll beat the living hell out of him. He was just sucking face with Gianna after the game.
I slow my pace and walk toward him, catching my breath as I do. He narrows his eyes right back at me. I can’t hide my smirk. He’s a cocky fucker.
“Ainsley,” I say by way of greeting.
“Beckett.”
