“No worries. It’s Troy’s senior year. It’d be a shame if he didn’t finish the season.”
“We’re doing well. We have a chance at winning the championship,” Andreas continues.
“As long as none of us gets injured during winter break,” I joke even though I know it’s a possibility with us.
“Before I forget, we’re going to a party after the game. Your fans miss you.”
And by fans, he means the football groupies who are only concerned with screwing one of us. Andreas is more than happy to oblige, but I value quality over quantity.
“I can’t wait.” I roll my eyes.
“Sarcasm? Really? Come on, man. It’s our senior year.” He turns onto my street, and I’ve never been happier for a ride to end. Maybe I can get Charlie to drive me instead from now on.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t coming.”
“Good. For a second, I thought that was your train of thought.”
“Are you bringing Charlie?” Danny asks.
“I don’t know. I’ll ask her.”
Andreas parks the car right behind mine and then turns to me. “Are you serious about dating this chick? I mean, I understand fucking around. Psycho or not, she’s a hot piece of ass.”
I glare at him through slits. “Tread carefully, buddy.”
He gives me a droll stare. “Please. Like I’d ever go after a girl you were seeing. I have plenty at my beck and call. I don’t need to go through your leftovers.”
“I was wondering when the food reference would come up.” Danny laughs.
“Whatever. I’m serious, Troy,” Andreas presses.
“I’m serious too, Andy. You’d better drop the Charlie subject. You’re starting to piss me off. I don’t fucking meddle in your affairs, so stay out of mine.”
“Fine. I won’t say another word about her. But don’t come crying to me when she rips your nut sack off and feeds it to the sharks.”
“I’m telling you, he’s been watching too many serial killer shows,” Danny chimes in.
“Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you later,” I say, annoyed.
I get out of the car as fast as I can. Andreas managed to put me in a foul mood during the short drive from campus to here. Maybe I should walk from now on if Charlie can’t give me rides. Andreas has always been a pain in the ass, but as long as he annoyed other people and not me, I was fine with it.
I’m almost at my door when someone calls my name. I turn around and find Charlie’s obnoxious friend Blake Ford coming my way.
Gee, what does he want?
“What’s up?” I ask cautiously.
“Can I have a word with you?”
“Sure. Do you want to come in?”
“No. What I have to say won’t take long.”
His attitude immediately puts me in defense mode. “Okay?”
“I don’t know what games you think you’re playing with Charlie, but she’s a nice girl and doesn’t need a cocky jock to break her heart.”
“Whoa. Hold on. Who the fuck do you think you are to come here and assume I’m going to hurt her?”
“I know your type. Charlie does too. But I guess she must have fallen prey to her physical needs.”
I stare at the guy without blinking. Is he for real?
Shaking my head, I laugh without humor. “Dude, you know nothing about me, and clearly you know nothing about Charlie either.”
He scoffs. “I know nothing about her? I’ve been friends with her since kindergarten. We dated for a year. Don’t tell me I don’t know her. I know her better than she knows herself.”
A spear of jealousy pierces my chest and then quickly morphs into anger. Charlie dated this tool? No wonder he’s here playing the concerned friend to hide the fact that he’s fucking envious. Why the hell didn’t she tell me?
I don’t want to let him know his revelation bothers me, so, making a Herculean effort to control my rage, I reply, “If you know her so well, what do you think her reaction will be when she finds out you came here to warn me away from her?”
His condescending expression changes into one of worry, but it only lasts a moment before a cold mask takes its place.
“I don’t care how angry she’ll be. I did what I had to. If you hurt one single hair on Charlie’s head, I’ll destroy you, pretty boy. The dean won’t be able to help you then.”
Fuck. Why would he think I’d hurt Charlie? He doesn’t know me, but he’s quick to assume the worst because I play football.
What a load of crap.
My nostrils flare as I curl my hands into fists. This asshole is cruising for a bruising, but if I punch him in the face, Charlie will probably take his side.
He turns on his self-righteous heels and strides away with shoulders squared and chin high. I stay rooted to the spot, still pissed at his words. I don’t know why I let him get to me like that. I’ve been judged my whole life; what’s one more asshole doing it?
I was right, dating Charlie is definitely something new, and it even comes with knights in shining armor, ready to defend her honor. I wonder what Blake would do if he knew all the kinky stuff I’ve done to her already. The thought helps me shake off my irritation.
I try to forget the encounter when I get into the house, but his pesky comments are still in the back of my head, tormenting me. Why are my friends and hers all of a sudden shitting on our parade? Andreas thinks Charlie is responsible for my busted shoulder, and even though he acts like a dick, I know he has good intentions. But Blake is an asshole through and through who seems to still have feelings for Charlie. He’d better forget about her. I’m not letting her go.
Jesus, where is this possessiveness coming from?
I have a ton of work to do for school, but I can’t concentrate to save my life. My relationship with Charlie has barely begun, yet it’s already turning sour all thanks to outside forces. That’s not what I intended when I cornered her in front of the cafeteria building earlier. I was only thinking with my dick, and that’s my punishment. I should have kept things private a while longer.
It’s getting late, and I keep anxiously looking at the clock and wondering when Charlie will get home. I have to stop myself from sending her a message. I don’t want her to think I’m needy or controlling her. I wouldn’t text her if she were only my roommate, and that’s what we agreed to be.
At a little past six o’clock, the sound of her key in the lock has me perking up in my seat. I look over my shoulder and try to keep a straight face. I don’t want to look too eager, but hell if a smile doesn’t break through anyway.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi. Have you been home long?” She shuts the door with her foot since her hands are occupied with two huge bags.
I jump up from the couch and run to help her out. “I got home a couple hours ago.” I take the bags from her hands, frowning at their weight. “What do you have here?”
“Fabric and other materials to make props.”
“Oh, is there another LARP event coming soon?”
“Yeah, in a few weeks.”
I set the bags down and then pull her to me for a kiss. She melts into my embrace, clutching my left arm as if she needs help keeping upright. Quicker than wildfire, our breathing becomes heavy, and I want nothing more than to peel her clothes off and lose the bet.