Carter is eyeing me. “Well?”
“Just Sam. He’s pissed about something.” I lie.
“Hoss, we need your head in this game.”
Some of the other guys around us stop talking.
I take in a deep breath, and when I release it, I pin a look on each of the players. All of us have busted our asses in preparation for this game. “I’m good, guys.” I assure them, lying through my teeth. Hopefully, when my cleats hit the field, the roar of the crowd will pull me out of my head and into the moment.
College football games are off the hook with the fans and the band, and the stadium is always electric. I love the adrenaline rush I get the second I hit the field.
The locker room door squeaks open. “Miller,” Coach barks. “I need a word.”
What the fuck now? I hardly get drunk, but I’m going to after this game. I’m beginning to understand why people drink or take drugs. Because my nerves are fried.
My mind is racing in time with my pulse as I meet Coach out in the hall. He’s probably about to give me a pep talk, but maybe not. He seems like he’s struggling to tell me something as he grips the back of his neck. “I’m not sure how to tell you this.”
Nausea continues to swirl in my gut as several curse words fly through my head. My breathing ramps up.What can he possibly tell me that’s making him nervous?If Ray had paid him a visit, I wouldn’t be here. Unless something happened to Emily. But if that were true, he wouldn’t tell me. He never talks about his family. Or maybe Emily told him about us already. Maybe she didn’t want to wait until our arranged dinner. That must be it, and he doesn’t want me seeing her. Man, I wish she was here so badly. My mood would be fantastic walking out onto the field knowing she was in the stands. I’ll be pissed if Coachdoesknow about us, because that’s the only reason I didn’t beg her to attend today. Well, that and the fact I haven’t been able to get a hold of her.
“Give it to me straight,” I say, preparing myself for a verbal tongue lashing.
He grips my shoulder. “Son, I’m so proud of you. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed seeing you grow into the quarterback position.”
Oookay.I so wasn’t expecting that. Some of my muscles loosen, and I release the breath I was holding.
“The scout from the Chicago Bears will be in the stands. He’s here specifically to watch you.” Coach grins like a proud father. “I was reluctant to tell you out of fear you would be too nervous. But I want you to kick ass out there. Be yourself. Be the QB I’m proud of and the university is proud of.”
My jaw slams on my cleats. “For real?” Excitement bubbles up my throat.
“And if we win,” he says. “We’ll get that invitation to the bowl game.”
No pressure whatsoever!
I’m fucked.
22
Emily
“You have no idea how freaking awesome it is to have you back, chica,” Scarlett says, circling her arm around my shoulders and smacking a loud kiss off my cheek.
“We missed you,” Zach adds, yanking me away from Scar. He wraps his arms around me from behind, grinning as he blatantly looks down the front of my low-cut little black dress.
I shake him off. “It’s good to be back.” Truth. Because since Molly and I became reacquainted last night, I’ve spent the hours in between in a blissful state of ecstasy. It helps that both the rents are gone this weekend, so Dad isn’t there to witness my fall from grace. “But I’m still with Adam.” I pin Zach with a look, reminding him some thingshavechanged.
“But for how long?” Scar inquires. “He won’t be happy if he knows you’re back on the party scene.”
“He’s my boyfriend, not my jailer,” I retort, even if she makes a good point.And isn’t that one reason why I’ve been avoiding him?
“I don’t want to argue. Just saying what I said before. Your lifestyle and his don’t gel.”
“We’ll make it work. I love him, and he loves me, and that’s all that matters.”
Scar and Zach trade similar expressions, and I see red. “If you’re going to be assholes, I’m going home.” I’m not, because I don’t have any more pills on me, and I’m relying on Zach’s usual generosity until Adam returns.
“Don’t be such a drama queen.” Scar loops her arm in mine. “You’re not going home.” She makes a zipping motion with her finger against her lips. “And I won’t say another word.”
Zach slides his hand on my lower back. “Now, enough of the heavy. Let’s go party.”
