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It would give me the money to pay back Grandad. And if things went south and the NFL wouldn’t touch me because of Luke, or if they found out about the underground fights, it would be an option for my future.
“I’ll try to get you the money.” I regretted it as the words left my mouth. I really should talk to Grandad about it.
Joe’s excitement was almost infectious. Not enough to make the dread weighing me down go away, but his enthusiasm made me hope it could bridge the gap between the rest of my family and him. Maybe we could finally be a family.
When I got to the Range Rover Uncle Lucas had bought me and that I loved, I couldn’t help but think about what a weird day it had been. Fuck the paper I should be working on. When I got back to the football house, the idea of throwing a party took root. Maybe then I could get drunk enough to sleep through the night. I would figure out how to get Joe the money in the morning.
CHAPTER SEVEN
WINTER
Music pulsed through the darkness, drawing me closer to the party at the football house Piper had texted me about. I’d never been to a college party and was mildly annoyed she hadn’t waited for me. But she’d gone with some of her friends and had extended the invite, which I guessed I was grateful for.
I smoothed my hand down my hair, partially wishing that I’d done something more with it than run a brush through the long strands. But I wasn’t one of those girls with perfect hair, makeup, or clothes. I wasn’t even that experienced with boys—like hardly at all. Sure, I’d been on a handful of dates. But they’d never gone anywhere because I didn’t want to be away from the Childresses that often or let anyone else get close.
I had the Childress family, and the last thing I needed was to become my mom. Which meant guys and dating were a very low priority. College had changed the game all over again. Even though Jaxon was here, I felt alone. The rules were different—which was why I’d even entertained going to the party.
My dorm was only a few blocks from the football house. It made sense to walk. If I wanted to drink, I wouldn’t need to call a ride, though more than one drink was unlikely.
Another wave of insecurity swept over me. Thanks to Mom, I never let anyone get close—the Childress family being the only exception and, to an extent, Piper when she was friends with my sister. That said, I didn’t know how to dress for the party. I wore faded jeans and a dark-blue, long-sleeved T-shirt and called it good.
Old-fashioned lantern-like lights dotted the side of the pathways, giving the campus a prestigious and academic flair. The farther from the dorms, the closer I got to the party. The music grew louder, a thumping bass that I adjusted my footfalls to match the closer I got. I couldn’t have missed it if I’d tried and laughed under my breath. The house was a massive three-story building with windows blazing and people milling about. Those blow-up kid pools were scattered on the grass, some full of beer, others of people—insane people. It was winter, even though it was a relatively mild California night.Still…
Piper had said she was on the front lawn when she messaged me, and I scanned the growing crowd for her blond head. I spotted her next to one of the kiddie pools and headed over.
She must have seen me from the corner of her eye because she turned as I approached. “You made it!” Her eyes were dilated, and her smile wide.
“Yeah.” I visually swept the lawn and house, noting that some of the girls were dressed similarly to me. Most showed way more skin. “This place is crazy.”
“Brian, get my friend a drink.”
The linebacker-sized guy standing with two others bent, fished a White Claw from the ice, and handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I took the drink and popped it open but didn’t take a sip. It was a prop only.
Piper’s hand landed on my arm, and she steered me to another area on the lawn. “Before I texted you, I didn’t think I would actually come here.” She pursed her lips then gave the football house the finger. “But screw ’em. I’m a different person this year.”
“Okay.” I had no idea what that was all about. “Did you date someone who lives here?”
She snorted, leaning heavily against my side. “Nooooo, but I sure as shit wanted to. I thought Cole and I were something in high school.” Her arm flailed around her body as she talked. “Screw him. Turns out we were nothing. And now, she’s got him.”
“Who’s got him?”
“Another girl. Who cares? I’m over him. This year is about me.”
I grinned. She was hilarious when drunk. “You go, girl. Who needs a guy? That’s what vibrators are for.”
Her head tilted to the side, and she took me in again. “Winter, I was wrong about you. I think we’re gonna be great friends.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. Partly so I wouldn’t laugh in her face. She was entertaining. And I could use a friend. “Sounds like a plan, Pipes.”
“Let’s go to the Spot tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’m game.” It was weird, though. She said that like she wasn’t hanging with me here.Maybe I misunderstood her earlier text?
“Piper!” some girl about five feet away from us hollered.
A giggle spilled from Piper’s ruby lips. “That’s Tracey.” She extracted her hand from my arm and took a hesitant step toward the other girl. “Come on.”
