“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Sorry. With the fire and everything, it’s thrown me for a loop.”
I’m not sure if I should be relieved by the pitying look on his face, or pissed off. I hate pity, I don’t want it. Life has never been easy for me, but I don’t sit around and wallow in it.
Maybe using the fire to excuse why I’m off my game is wrong, but I can’t tell the man it’s because I can’t stop thinking about all the ways I want to do dirty, fucked up things to his son, can I?
In a way, itisbecause of the fire. I’m rooming with my ex-best friend because of it.
“I understand.” He nods. “And it’s okay to feel however you are. There’s school counselors available if you need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks.” I force a smile, but I know it comes off fake. “But I’m good.”
He nods, clearing his throat. “Alright then. Try your best out there. It’s your last year. You wanna make it to the big leagues, you need to be on your A game. The South Carolina Pit Bulls have their eyes on you.”
That makes me perk up. “I know. And I don’t plan on letting them down.”
“Then get out there and show me what you got.”
I bust my ass the rest of practice, determined to show Coach Creed I’m worth the NFL’s attention.
I’m dead by the time practice is over. Sweaty, dirty, and sore, I follow my teammates to the locker room.
“Roland.” At the sound of Liam’s voice, I perk up. He’s been sniffing around Bennett lately, and I don’t like it. Not that I care who Bennett gets with or anything, but Liam doesn’t deserve a second chance with anyone he cheats on. It’s not right.
“‘Sup.” Roland strips out of his gear. Turning my back to them, I slowly remove my gear, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“You and Bennett,” Liam continues.
“What about it?” Roland asks.
“What’s the deal?”
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business,” Roland answers.
“He’s my ex. Are you really trying to get with him?”
“I know he’s your ex. But we’re not friends, we’re teammates, acquaintances. I owe you no loyalty outside the game,” Roland brushes him off.
“You're kidding me, right? So, you’re just going to go fuck all my exes then?”
“No,” Roland says. “It’s one ex. And no one is fucking anyone.”
Liam snorts. “Not what it looked like at the party a few weeks ago. Rumor is, you two were hooking up in your room.”
“What I do, or don’t do, in my room is none of your business.” He sounds pissed.
“Did you fuck him?” Liam demands.
“I’m not having this conversation.”
“Stay away from him, Roland. I mean it.”
“You have no control over what Bennett does,” Roland growls. “He’s not your boyfriend.”
“Not right now. But he will be again.”
“You’re fucking delusional, you know that, right? We all know you cheated on him. He's the only one who doesn’t know how many people are involved. Maybe someone should fill him in on that.”
“He won’t believe you,” Liam argues.
