Marcus’s POV
“Since more than half the team was missing from team lift this morning, I’ll assume you all know about Holt flying to Miami this morning,” Coach announces to the team. “Let it be a reminder that heart and determination can open even the heaviest of doors. So let’s hit the field and train hard, and put everything we have out there.”
The team breaks from the huddle and heads toward the field to line up for drills. I hang back just a second, noticing another key player is missing. I take another scan of everyone here to verify that Gio is markedly absent. For the fleetest of seconds, I wonder if maybe Gio followed Holt to Miami, but the thought crashes almost as soon as it’s had. Gio’s sense of duty to his team and his future would never allow him to make such a move. Maybe once he gets his affairs in order, he might go, but not this suddenly.
“Bauer, Donovan, hold back,” Coach pulls my attention from looking for Gio to him.
“Gio’s sick. I need you to take his place as starting quarterback this week, most likely for the game too,” he tells Tristan.
Tristan’s brow furrows at the news. “Is he alright?”
“Yeah, his frat president just said he’s laid up with some sort of bug,” he says.
I keep my mouth shut, but I’m pretty damn sure that ‘bug’ is probably ‘heartbroken’ because Holt left. “And Bauer, you’re taking Holt’s place as one of the starting wide receivers, so look alive out there and don’t make me regret it,” he barks, pulling me out of my musings.
His words halt me for a second as the reality of what he just said hits me. Tristan’s beaming smile in my direction only solidifies it. I’ve been bumped up to first string to take over Holt’s position. As long as I don’t fuck it up, I’m no longer just a fill-in, but a permanent starter. No more sitting out on the bench or only hitting the field so that the starters can take a break.
The grin on my face is huge as I shout out a “Thanks, Coach.”
He just looks back at his trusty clipboard. “Don’t thank me, just make damn sure to show everyone why you deserve to be there,” he says before turning towards the team and hollering at them to get into positions. “You too,” he says pointedly to Tristan.
Tristan wraps his massive arm around my shoulder and hauls me into his side for a quick side hug before taking off for the field. First, waking up this morning to Qiang’s body nestled perfectly in my arms, their pretty face full of sweet smiles that led to a hot makeout that ended happily for both of us. Then, heading out to the field and making starter,andgetting to celebrate that feat with a bro-hug from my best bro. This, right here, is why lucky durags are essential!
“Meet you out by the car,” Tristan hollers at me when he finally makes it into the locker room about twenty minutes after everyone else.
Coach held him back to catch him up on everything Gio knows since he’s temporarily taking Gio’s place. The thought of Gio makes me think I should probably text him to check on him. Not sure he’ll want the noise, but at least he’d know people cared.
I’m already showered and ready to head out when Derrick comes up and claps me on the shoulder.
“Good job, man, just don’t slow me down out there.”
“I think you should be less worried about me slowing you down and focus on not slowingmedown, old man,” I tease him.
“Old man? You just try to keep up with this old man, little pup,” he gives it right back.
I laugh at that. “By the way, I gotta thank you and Imani for being all hot and heavy at the Zeta Tau Xi House on Friday.”
“Yeah?” he asks in a tone that’s curious as to why he should need to be thanked for something so obscure.
I chuckle to myself at how such a small misunderstanding made all the difference for me.
“Yeah, Qiang thought Imani and I were a thing, and that she was cheating on me. Now, after a heavy conversation, Qiang and I are finally together.”
“No, shit. Liketogethertogether?” he asks with wide eyes.
I nod in response, the joy of it cracking through and spreading my mouth into a ridiculously huge smile.
He claps me on the shoulder again. “That’s awesome, man. I know you’ve been holding out for them for a while,” he says, and I know he gets it because he just went through all the pining and finally winning his love with Imani.
“Yeah, it’s pretty great.”
“So shit’s really coming up in roses for you right now? We should celebrate,” he throws out there.
I shrug. “Let’s see how this weekend’s game goes first, and if we win, I’ll throw an afterparty at our place,” I tell him.
As much as a celebration seems in order, between wanting to spend as much time with Qiang as possible and fitting in training and gearing up for my first starting game, I don’t need the distraction of a party quite yet. Best to wait and see the outcome of the first game and then celebrate.
I get a few more pats on the back while I head out of the locker room and towards the car. Tristan shouldn’t be too far behind, and Icould definitely catch some tunes to wind down a bit. All good emotions are flowing through me, but they are so fucking big and amazing that I’m a bit keyed up.
