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Thank God for small mercies because although I didn’t relish playing with the Raiders, it was a damn sight better than playing for a team with no direction or hunger for the win.
Everyone stopped to watch us follow Aaron and Cole down to the lake, but I let their stares roll off my back. I wasn’t looking for their approval or even their acceptance. I was here to play football and land a full ride to Alabama.
“Fuck yes, jet skis,” Bryan said, nudging my arm.
“No way you’ll get me on one of those things. It’s too dangerous.”
“Seriously, Thatch, don’t be such a pussy.”
“I’d rather be a pussy than benched for the season with a broken arm.”
“He has a point,” Aaron said, and I tipped my chin in appreciation. “So how does Rixon High compare with East?” he asked.
“It’s… different. But practice is similar. Coach Forrester isn’t such a hard ass as Coach Ford.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that.” Cole laughed. “You think he’ll give you some game time?”
“He knows I’m the better choice,” I said.
My guys high-fived each other. “Damn right,” Gav said.
“Monroe won’t go down without a fight. His dad is a big friend of the Raiders.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
It wasn’t the same with my dad. But it should have been. If he’d been a stand-up guy who gave a shit about anyone but himself, he would have made sure to position himself right at the heart of my football career with the Eagles. He would have attended practice, donated to the booster fund, and drank with Coach and their friends on the weekend.
As it was, he only cared enough to ride me from his armchair.
Jealousy burned through me. Not only did Monroe have his team, the support of an entire town, and Coach Ford… he also had a father who cared.
“Hey, you okay?” Aaron asked me, and I nodded. “The senior players will come around. They’re pretty loyal to Monroe, but once they see you in action on the field, they’ll realize there’s room for you too.”
“Why are you being so cool about all this?” I asked him.
Aaron folded his arms across his chest and shrugged. “Everyone deserves a chance. Besides, Monroe is kind of an asshole.”
“Hey, Aaron. Cole.” The blonde from the cafeteria the other day strolled up to our new friends.
“Peyton.” He returned her smile. “Where’s my sister and the others?”
“They’re around.” She gave me the once over. “You’re the new quarterback.”
“And you look like trouble.” I smirked.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I would,” Bryan chimed. “I definitely would. I’m Bryan. Bryan Hughes.”
“Nice tats.” She let her gaze linger on his arm. So of course the eager idiot yanked up his sleeve. “Wraps all the way around my shoulder.”
“Nice. Oh, here they are.” She beckoned over a group of girls. I instantly found the dark-haired girl. She hovered behind them, clearly uncomfortable.
“Guys, this is my sister Sofia,” Aaron said. “And that’s Ashleigh, Poppy, and Lily.”
She was definitely the odd one out. She barely made eye contact and was considerably underdressed compared to her friends. But she worked her jeans and t-shirt combo, hiding a slender body with curves in all the right places.
I didn’t know what it was about her… but there was something. I’d met plenty of girls like Peyton and Lindsey. Girls who wanted to bag themselves a football player. Eager and persistent. They batted their eyelashes and bit their lips acting all coy. It got old real quick. I liked a challenge, to work hard for my rewards.
