Page 7 of I Want to Know What Love Is

Dad’s only been to three of my games at PSU in the past two years. One of them was an away game in a city where he happened to be traveling. It was a nice surprise even if he only showed up because it was convenient.

We end the call and I can hear the house getting louder. Someone’s testing speakers for the semester starter blow-out party tonight.

When I check the time, I realize it’ll be starting soon and head downstairs to the kitchen. On my way down the stairs, my phone rings again and I answer without looking because I don’t mind living a little dangerously. It’s my mom, so I turn around and go back up to take the call in my room.

“Mom, what’s up?” I pass a couple of guys coming down the stairs, including Bane. Unfortunately, he decides to follow me into my room because he doesn’t get the idea of private phone conversations. I shove him back outside and close the door.

“I wanted to let you know that I heard from dad. He… got married.” Shit.

“I know. I just got off the phone with him and he dropped the bomb.” Someone turns on the music way too loud downstairs and the sound bounces off the floorboards of my room. “He said he’s paying you a lot of money. Is he?”

“Yes. It’s true.” She sighs.

“You okay, Mom?”

“I’ll be fine.” I know she’s full of shit and wish I was close enough to drive there tomorrow. She’s in Vermont now. At least a four-hour drive from SPU. I’m desperate to keep my Mom whole but it’s too far.

“Promise me you’ll call Aunt Viola, maybe go over and spend time with her.”

“I will. Don’t you worry about me. Don’t you have that party tonight?” I laugh. Of course she’d remember.

“It’s already started.” She says good-bye and ends the call before I can say any more. Not that there’s anything more to say. Slipping my phone back in my pocket, I open the door to go downstairs to the party, but I run directly into Bane.

“What are you doing standing outside my door?”

“I was passing by.” Slamming my door shut, I step around him and head for the back stairs. He walks with me.

“So you’re a Momma’s boy, are you?” he says. His tone isn’t mean or even teasing, but he clearly eavesdropped on my phone call and that’s just wrong.

It would be so easy to give into my primal urge to punch his lights out, but two things stop me. First, the fact that he’s a big dude and he’ll be expecting it and probably get in a punch of his own which I don’t need. Second, my fucking conscience reminds me he’s my team mate.

Then there’s a third voice that pipes up, my gramps like a ghost from my past and says for the millionth time the way to handle your enemies is to kill em with kindness.

Oddly, it’s advice I’ve taken to heart which hasn’t been easy for a tough-minded football player.

This time, though, it’s harder than usual, maybe because I’m under pressure with my grades and mostly because I’m truly worried about my Mom. She’s up from Louisiana staying at the summer house we’ve had ever since I was a kid so she can be near me during football season. Her and Aunt Viola come to all my games. Bane doesn’t need to know any of that.

I flip him my middle finger and give him a murderous glare instead of an explanation as I hustle down the stairs ahead of him. That’s as kind as I can manage today.

* * *

The traditional BMOC House semester kick-off bash is in full swing and I’m enjoying my second and final beer, trying to make it last and trying to show interest in the cute girl flirting with me. She’s standing close enough for me to get an eyeful of cleavage if I want it. The female ghosts in my head that masquerade as my conscience, but who are really my gram and great aunt, her sister, tell me to keep my eyes on her face and I do a pretty good job of it. Truthfully, it’s not that hard. At least part of the reason I’m not interested in her is my unhealthy preoccupation with Coach Lake. Because, damn if she isn’t hotter than every girl in this place. And a million times more intriguing.

“Are you even listening to me?”

No. “Sure. You were telling me all about your sorority, right?” She smiles and I wish I could remember her name. Wish I cared what her name is. I catch Shelby’s eye nearby and he winks at me. I wave him over.

“I need another beer,” I say to the girl. Still can’t remember her name. “Can I get you one?”

“No thank you, but you’re pretty nice for a jock, you know?” I nod and as soon as Shelby appears at my side I introduce him and excuse myself before I have to explain that I forgot her name. It’s a dick move, or it would be if she wasn’t better off with Shelby for the remainder of the night.

Since I’ve already had my quota of beers, as soon as the crowd swallows me from her sight, I veer away from the kitchen and head into the front room. Jasper stops me before I get close to the front door and true escape.

“Where you going?” he asks. “And why do you look more like you’re at a funeral than a party?” I try for a laugh and roll the bunched muscles of my shoulders.

“Fresh air would feel good about now, along with a break from the loud-as-fuck music you have going on.”

“Since when did you turn into such a serious prick?”