AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s been a week since I last saw Rachel. I should video chat her more, tell her about how I feel—like this all might have been a mistake. Being the big football star isn’t as glorifying as I thought it would be. It’s a lot of hard work. It’s early hours, practice all day, training all night, flying around on little sleep, and the only friends I can make are the people who are on my team. I can’t really meet others outside work. I’m too tired and it’s not like I can join a club with my hectic schedule.
“Hey,” says Adrien while sidling close to me. His last name is Shipley, therefore his locker is always next to mine. He’s a tall guy, about my height, with the typical football player frame. His gray eyes narrow on me, his dark, curly hair falling around his face. “You okay? You seem out of it.”
I shake my head and force a smile. “It’s nothing. Just thinking about my girl.”Among other things.Girl problems I can voice easily. Every bro understands girl problems. Other problems, like not fitting in, isn’t quite so easy to talk about around other men. They’ll probably call me a sissy or think me weak.
Adrien nods before taking off his jersey. “Yeah, I get that. Maggie is a bit irritated these days. Although, her hormones are all out of whack since she’s growing a little human inside her.” He sighs while tossing his jersey inside his locker. “I suppose the wedding planning isn’t helping either.”
I chuckle. Adrien is several years older than me and living in a completely different world. He’s been playing for the Bears for the last five years. He’s cemented his place and now starting a family. I can’t even imagine what he’s going through, especially since I just graduated from college. I feel like a child compared to him.
“Trust me,” he says with a bright smile. “It’ll get better. Right now, the both of you are adjusting to long distance, but it can work. It did for us anyway.” He points at me, wagging his finger as if I’ve already done something wrong. “When you make a video date, don’t cancel. Always make sure you can keep your promises. Oh, and lots of video sex and sexting.” I laugh at that while shaking my head. Adrien always seems to know how to lighten the mood. It’s one of his many good qualities. “That’s the only advice I can give,” he says with a shrug. “Otherwise, it really comes down to how much you care about each other.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling a bit lighter. “I’ll keep all that in mind.”
“Hey, newbie!”
I flinch at the taunting tone and stifle the need to groan as I slowly turn around, finding Brody already dressed, with several guys surrounding him. He looks like the typical frat boy douchebag in his khaki pants and blue polo shirt with the collar popped. The only peculiar thing about him is that he’s a ginger with freckles all over his face. I wonder if anyone has ever teased him about his ginger hair and beard, and maybe that’s why he’s become such a dick. The guys around him are dressed similarly, in varying colors of shirts. They stare at me with narrowed eyes, looking smug while puffing out their chests.
Did I somehow enter a time machine and return to freshman year of college?I think while struggling to contain my disgust. Brody stalks toward me, his head tilted back as he assesses me. I don’t know what the team sees in this guy. Sure, he’s big and strong and puts everything he has into football, but he’s also arrogant, speaks ill of women, and treats others like they’re below him.
“Ugh, what do you want, Brody?” Adrien asks, unable to hide his disgust. I hear Adrien slam his locker door and move closer to me, his elbow touching mine as he crosses his arms. “Come to prey on the weak?”
I purse my lips. I’m not weak. I just know I can’t speak out. I’m new, so I need to get the team to like me, or else there will be more issues. Seeing as how most of the team likes Brody, I have to somehow cater to his wishes.
“Not talking to you, Family Man,” Brody says while keeping his gaze locked on mine. “Newbie, we’re going to Broad Ripple for drinks. You in?”
I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, wincing at how soft my voice comes out. God, it’s like I fear the guy. I’m a big man. I shouldn’t be scared of anything. Honestly, I should go. It would be good to get to know the team better. But what if I’m pressured into drinking? What if they scoff when I tell them I have a drinking problem? What if they tell the reporters and then my career is over?
“What? Your fairy godmother said you have to be home before midnight? Or did your momma say no?”
I flinch as Adrien steps toward Brody, grabbing him by the collar. “Why are you such a fucking asshole?” Adrien says while shaking Brody, who barely moves since he’s so huge. “You know he doesn’t—”
“It’s fine,” I say while grabbing Adrien’s shoulder and pulling him back. I don’t want to hear about how my mom is dead, nor do I need anyone fighting my battles. “That slam you gave me, Brody, was pretty brutal,” I say with a forced smile. “Just thought I should bench a few. Make sure I’m on my A game for tomorrow.”
Brody smirks and I know I’ve smoked his ego enough to leave me alone, at least for now. Guys like him just need their confidence boosted. No point in fighting them. It just makes them want to puff out their chest even more.
“Whatever, Newbie,” Brody says while turning around and strutting back to his bros, reminding me of a peacock. “Let’s go, my dudes.”
I watch Brody and his entourage file out of the lockers, hearing Brody shout, “Let’s get wasted!” Followed by whoops and laughter.
Adrien sighs and I turn to him, watching him throw his towel over his shoulder, shaking his head. “I’m surprised you didn’t punch that jerk in the face.”
“Not worth it,” I say while continuing to dress, deciding I’ll shower when I get home or take a bath. Ever since I got that large, fancy tub, I’ve become a bath man. “I’ve had to deal with plenty of assholes like him. All I gotta say, it’s not worth the energy.”
Adrien chuckles. “You’re a better man than me.”
“How did you know about my mom?”
Adrien shrugs. “Who doesn’t? It was in one of your interviews.”
“Oh. Right.” I forgot the whole world knows everything about me, probably more than I know about myself. Oh, the benefits of being a football star. Not.
“Do you still think about her?” Adrien asks, not looking at me as he continues to change.
I slam the locker door shut and slug my bag over my shoulder, blinking away the tears prickling my eyes. “All the time.”
***
It doesn’t take long to get back to my hotel room. The black car is already waiting for me outside the stadium. Given how late it is, there’s no traffic and we make it to downtown easily. The Marriott is busy with people going in and out, dragging their suitcases behind them. I keep my head down, not wanting to be recognized, not wanting to give out any autographs.Not like anyone would want it,I think darkly. I’m not anyone well-known. So why should I bother hiding? Who would ever be interested in me?
