“Leave,” commands a deep, no-nonsense voice. Shivers skate down my spine because I know that voice.
I look over my shoulder to find Teddy towering over us, his shadow long behind him. His face is intense, scarily so. Not that I’m afraid of him, because I’m not, but there’s this intensity that tells no one to cross him.
“I said, leave,” he repeats to the guy beside me.
I don’t look to see the guy’s reaction. I’m too busy taking in Teddy in his uniform. Sure, I knew what they looked like, but I never mentally prepared myself for seeing Teddy in one, and Jesus Christ it clings to his long muscular body like a second skin. I know if he turned around, I would get an incredible view of his ass.
Not that I want to look at his ass.
Because I don’t.
That would be weird.
“What the fuck, man? I’m not leaving.”
“Are you being a jerk to my girl?” My heart dips at his my girl comment, and I silently curse myself. I have got to get my feelings in check and remind myself none of this is real.
“I don’t even know your girl.”
Teddy gives an exasperated sigh. “She’s right beside you.” The guy gulps audibly. “She’s here for me, not to listen to you spew whatever bullshit is coming out of your mouth. Don’t make me repeat myself again.”
I expect the guy to argue further, but he gets up without protest and leaves this time.
“Am I cool to stay?” The other guy, his friend I assume, asks. “I told him to stop being a dick.”
Teddy defers to me. “Was he bothering you too?” I shake my head. “You can stay … for now.” He looks me over, as if he expects to find some sort of physical injury when really it’s just my irritation burning under my skin. “You good?”
“I’m good.”
He grins. “Cheer for me, babe.”
I expect him to run off, but of course not.
This is Teddy, and we need to be even more public with our relationship, so he swoops down and grabs my face gently between his palms, kissing me in a way that’s not decent for the public.
“Just a preview for later.” He winks and I swear a girl starts crying nearby.
I watch him leave, heading back to wherever he came from.
Danika returns a minute later, passing me a Coke. She notices the empty spot beside me and the way the eyes of people in the stands keep straying to me. “What’d I miss?”
“You don’t want to know.” I sip the soda, suddenly completely parched.
“Whatever you say.” She looks out in the field with a tiny smile as players are announced. “Play ball!”
19
Teddy
Vanessa’s hand is warm in mine as I lead her through the off-campus house located in Frat Row. We’re celebrating our first winning game, and I’m riding high from the victory.
Something else that has me worked up is Vanessa in my shirt. She wanted to change after the game, but I refused. I like seeing my name on her too much, and the way the fabric stretches across her tits is fucking magnificent. Seriously. It makes my mouth water.
She had every right to question me this morning.
I have been avoiding seeing her in person. Texts are easy, because I don’t have to look at her, be around and feel … things. Things I’ve never felt before. Last weekend made me realize that while I’m attracted to Vanessa on a physical level, it goes much deeper than that, and it fucking terrifies me.
I’ve never really dated or had an official girlfriend. I don’t know how to do this, and I don’t know how to tell her fuck this fake-relationship, I want it to be real, because something tells me she won’t be as keen on the idea as I am.
And rejection?
That’s not something I’m used to at all.
So, for now, I have to hold my tongue. I can’t risk sending her running for the hills. Not when I do still need her to uphold her end of the bargain when it comes to my parents.
“Ugh, this music is awful,” she remarks, wrinkling her nose at the dub-step. “Who listens to this shit?”
“Frat boys,” I reply, gripping her hand tightly as bodies press against us. “Smithy!” I call out to one of the frat guys I know, and he pulls me into a one-armed hug. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much, man. Nothing much. I’ve got your zombie shit in the basement fridge. I put a Post-It on it for no one to take it, but you know how it is, so no promises it’s still there.” His gaze moves over to Vanessa at my side, looking her up and down with a gleam in his eyes I don’t like. “Who’s this fine lady?” He licks his lips like she’s some juicy morsel I’ve brought forth in offering.
“This is my girl, Vanessa.” My tone is possessive, and I don’t care in the least. Smithy and I have shared a few classes, that’s how we’ve gotten to know each other, but he’s not a good enough friend for me to think twice before decking him in the face if he keeps leering at Vanessa.
“Your girl, huh?” He eyes her, ignoring me.
“Yeah, my girl. So stop looking at her like that.”
He chuckles, finally looking at me. “You’re a possessive bastard, aren’t you? Maybe when she’s done with you, she’d like to get to know me.”
“Smithy,” I warn.
“I can speak for myself, thank you very much.” Vanessa lets go of my hand, shoving her body in front of mine so she can stare down Smithy. “Bold of you to assume I’d be interested.”
Smithy throws his head back and laughs, then wags a finger at me. “I like her.”
He picks up his beer and disappears into the crowd.
I pull Vanessa back by her hips and turn her around. “It’s hot when you get all bossy.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re such a raging horndog you probably get hot and bothered watching a worm wiggle.”
I snort, pressing my lips together so I don’t dissolve into full-blown hysterics. “A worm?”
“It was the first thing that popped into my brain. It’s weird in there sometimes.”
“Seems like it.”
“Are your friends here?”
“Some of the team will be, but Mascen is probably celebrating with Rory and Cole doesn’t really like parties, so I’m sure he’s home with Zoey.”
Wow, my best friends are really wifed up—well, basically—and that’s … weird. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them, but it sucks being the odd man out. I look over at Vanessa, and think to myself at least I have her, but I don’t. Not really. Not in the way I want.
“Shouldn’t we go to the basement so you can get your weird zombie beer?”
“Don’t diss my Zombie Dust, woman.”
I reach for her hand, and she slides hers into mine, giving me a shy smile.
We push our way through the throng of bodies. It’s got to be a fire hazard with how many people are crammed into the house, but campus always overlooks these parties. I guess they figure that college kids will be college kids and let the cops deal with us if it gets that out of hand.
Down in the basement, it’s less crowded, and I feel Vanessa relax a tiny amount.