Chapter 2
2
Travis
“ Y o, man! Cheers to us for being undefeated so far!” Brennon clinks his bottle to mine. He’s been the best addition to the team. Usually, freshmen come in overly cocky and under-skilled, but he’s truly talented. Not to mention as humble as they come.
“We’re having a great season.” I nod, taking a sip of my beer. “And you’ve had some amazing plays, by the way.”
“Thanks, man. Makes it easy when you’re playing with the best.”
I look across the room at Lukas. He’s the best one on our team. I’ve never seen anyone so talented on the field, which is why he’s going to be first pick in the draft. I’ll bet my left nut on it.
“So, where’s Willow?” I ask, looking around for his girlfriend. “Did she not come?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “She has an exam to study for, so she couldn’t make it out tonight. Besides…” His smile drops. “Parties aren’t really her thing.” That’s the second time I’ve heard that today. Willow should hang out with Sophie; they’re two peas in a pod. Driven as all get out. Both pretty as hell. Though in my biased opinion, Sophie is prettier.
I still can’t get that girl off my mind. And I’m definitely still burned about her shooting me down. It’s not something I expected. And definitely not the response I’m used to when it comes to women.
“Will Willow get to come to the game this weekend?” We’re playing our biggest rivals, and if we beat them, we should be a shoo-in for the playoffs.
“Yeah, she’ll be there. Thankfully, Torrin and her have become really close, otherwise, I don’t think Willow would be able to handle the games. She’s not a fan of crowds.”
Yeah, I picked up on that the first time I met Willow at the kick-off party. The poor girl was stuttering as we spoke and shaking pretty hard. It was obvious from her red cheeks that she was embarrassed by it, and it made me feel so bad for her. I finally asked her if she’d come outside to chat, claiming I was getting a headache from all the loud noise. Once we were away from the crowd, she started to relax and open up, her voice smoothing out, and Bren seemed to relax too, telling me after the fact how much he appreciated it.
It’s another reason I like him so much. Most guys would prey on a girl like her and make fun of her speech impediment, or they’d manipulate her into sleeping with them then discard her like damaged goods. But Bren accepts people as they come. And now he’s got himself an amazing girl.
“I’m glad her and Torre have become close.” Torrin’s a sweetheart. But I will say, her and Luke butt heads at every turn. I guess that’s par for the course between siblings. Or stepsiblings in their case.
“Yeah, me too,” he agrees. “With how much we’re gone for practice, I’m glad she has some good friends to keep her company.” And then when he gets home, he has her to keep him company.
The beautiful face of the fiery girl who showed up for office hours today drifts into my thoughts. I’ve never met anyone like her. Someone so determined and tenacious, or so beautiful. I was mesmerized by the entire package. Sophie’s long, dark, wavy brown hair; those crystal blue eyes shimmering with irritation when she was talking to me about her grade; the cute little dimple on her sweetheart cheeks, which was determined not to make an appearance when I asked her to the party tonight. And then those curves…. Man, I could sink my teeth into her and take a bite.
“How’d you and Willow meet, by the way?” I take a sip of my drink, swallowing down the need clawing its way through my system. It’s been quite some time since lust has burned low in my gut, and even longer since I’ve been interested in pursuing a girl. But she shot me down, didn’t she?
“I was in a freshman chat room online, looking for kids from my area who were coming here in the fall, and she chimed in. At first, I thought it was a guy I was chatting with.” He chuckles at the memory. “Her handle was Will2025TE, so I didn’t even think twice. We were going back and forth for a few weeks before I learned the truth. It felt like I was shooting the shit with a bro. We were cuttin’ up and were into all the same things: video games, the same type of music and action movies. She even loves watching football, and her fantasy team crushed mine. When I found out she was a girl…” He shakes his head on a whistle. “I couldn’t get over it. I’d met my perfect match. It was just too fucking good to be true. But when I started asking if we could meet up in person, she got skittish and ghosted me. So, I pretty much turned into a stalker.”
I bust out laughing. I bet he did. Finding someone that you can be real with is hard. Then finding someone as beautiful who likes all the same things, that’s rare. After my encounter with Sophie this afternoon, I already creeped on her social media, but she has no public accounts. Which I have to say intrigued me more. Most girls are so wrapped up in that shit, it’s all they care about. But unless her name in the system isn’t accurate, she’s not online.
“That’s priceless, dude.” I give him a fist bump. “So, how’d you finally get Willow to go out with you then?”
His cheeks turn as red as an apple, and he starts shaking his head with a sheepish grin. “Let’s just say, I can be very persuasive.”
Interesting. Maybe I should’ve been more persuasive and made Sophie come to the party tonight as part of her grade. Forced her into the date so she could get to know me better. I had three girls come up to me before class trying to get an invite, but the one girl I wanted here couldn’t get out of my office fast enough. She practically ran from me. And man, did that make me want to give chase.
“Well, you got yourself a good one.” I tip my chin to him.
“Yeah I did.” He nods. “Actually… I think I might go spend the evening with my girl. Would you mind if I dipped out?”
He doesn’t have to stay on my account. If I had a girl like that waiting for me at home, I’d be rushing off too.
“Of course not, man. Thanks for stopping by.”
“I’ll see you at practice tomorrow.” He gives me a pound on my fist then leaves, and I go grab another bottle from the cooler before going in search of Lukas. I’m not surprised to find him swarmed by a flock of girls who are all singing his praises over our last game. He shoots me a look as I approach, wanting me to save him. Have to say, it does get old. As soon as a girl learns who we are, they want to latch on. Wouldn’t phase them if we were alphaholes or not. They’re all about notoriety. They want to be able to brag to their friends how they scored with the great Travis Hunt or Lukas Williams. It’s like it gives them some sort of clout.
I’ll admit, back when we were freshmen, it was fun getting all the attention. Plus, with how crazy our schedules were, easy was good. But now that I’m a senior, I’ve outgrown that shit. I no longer want someone to warm my sheets at night. I want someone who I can snuggle up with on the couch and vent about my day to. I want someone who I can wake up with on a Saturday morning and make love to before we go grab some brunch. I’m done with the shallow. And I know Lukas is too.
“Yo, man!” I hold out the beer for him. He uses the opportunity to squeeze through the pack of lionesses who are now giving me googly eyes, too.
“How’s the keg?” He asks, taking the bottle from me and taking a long swig like he’s trying to wash down the aftertaste of those girls. “Do we need to change it out yet?”
“I had Teck do it. So, we’re set for a few.” Though, with the way everyone’s drinking tonight, we may run dry sooner than we expected.
“What’s that? Number four?”
Yeah, I think it is. “We may have to start calling cabs soon to haul these guys back.” Last thing we want is for someone to get into an accident and for us to have an arrest on our hands for serving alcohol to minors.
Lukas turns, scanning the room, surveying the crowd. His eyes suddenly stop, narrowing a glare toward the door. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Who the fuck let her in?”
I turn my head, wanting to see who’s crashing the party, and smirk when I see his little sister strutting over. “You need to turn around and march that stubborn little ass back to your dorm, Torrin.”
Torre crosses her arms, refusing to budge, and I’m fighting back my chuckle. She really loves poking Lukas’s buttons. And man, does he get riled. Gotta admit, it’s funny to watch the two go at it, bickering about his controlling ways, her being pissed that he’s so overbearing and treats her like a kid. Though, right now, I’m siding with Lukas. There are too many drunk bastards in this room, and Torre is too young, pretty, and na?ve to fend them off. Lukas and I will have to play babysitter all night, and that’s not what either of us is in the mood for.
“Come on, Torre. We should probably go,” says the girl who told me she didn’t like parties. Now, I’m the one tensing as one sexy-as-hell Sophie steps up to Torrin’s side. It looks like she doesn’t have a problem with parties, after all. She just didn’t want to come to mine.
A feeling twists in my gut as my heart rate starts to kick up.
“I wanted to come celebrate with the team. But if I’m not wanted here, I guess we’ll just have to go to the Pike party instead.”
And now Torre’s asking for trouble. She knows those Pike fuckers are no good.
Lukas tenses at my side, cracking his neck. “You and I are going to have a little chat, sis,” he grits through his teeth as he takes her by the arm. “Travis, need you to keep an eye on this one for me.” His head tips toward Sophie. I’d be happy to watch after the girl who’s staring at me in shock. She and I need to have a little chat of our own.
He drags a protesting Torrin back to his room, and I close in on the girl who’s backing away from me. When her body collides with the wall, her chance of escaping is foiled. “Don’t like parties, huh?” I stare down into her radiant blue eyes which are glimmering with a hint of nervousness. She’s even more beautiful from this close distance.
“I don’t like parties. I just didn’t want Torre to come by herself.”
That’s a fair response, and one that makes me like her even more. A person who looks out for their friends says a lot about them. And so does the fact that she would drop a class over a B.
“So, how do you and Torrin know each other?”
“We’re roommates.”
So, this is the Sophie Lukas is always talking about. He’s always talking about how he couldn’t have picked a better roommate for his sister, and from what I’ve already learned about the girl, I’d say he’s right.
“Damn, had I known you were Torre’s roommate, I would’ve insisted on tagging along with Lukas every time he went to your place.”
A shiver visibly rocks through her shoulders, and I love the shade of pink that’s blushing her cheeks. I don’t think she’s completely immune to me. And it’s not like I haven’t seen her checking me out during class. I figured she was like all the other girls, wanting a date with the great Travis Hunt, but it turns out, she didn’t even know who I was.
“Would you like a drink, Sophie?”
Her shoulders tense at my question, and she shakes her head. It’s like she’s worried I’m going to hand her something with a roofie in it. That’s something that would happen at a frat house but not here in my house.
“No thank you. I’m okay. I don’t think Torre will be that much longer.”
I’m not so sure about that. Lukas looked really pissed. And that comment about the Pikes definitely struck a nerve. I’d never want either of these two girls to step foot in that place. Sophie and Torrin are way too pretty and far too na?ve to understand that the charming smooth-talking frat boys are only after one thing.
“They may be a moment.” I look towards the hall leading to Lukas’ room. “I’ve witnessed their arguments, and they can go at it for a while. Torrin is definitely a stubborn one.”
“Tell me about it.” She rolls her eyes. “In her defense, though, Lukas does treat her like a little kid. He kind of acts like a strict father at times, not a stepbrother.”
“Yeah, he does. But he’s just protective of her. If I had a little sister, I would be too. I know how guys can be, and I wouldn’t want her to get taken advantage of…or hurt by some drunk asshole.” Her eyes widen at my comment, but she’s quick to shake her head.
“She just wanted to have a little college fun. ”
“Says the girl who doesn’t believe in fun.” My brow narrows in. “I seem to recall asking you to come to this same party tonight. Yet, I got shot down.”
I know it’s a bit hypocritical given the fact that I invited her to this party tonight yet I don’t think Torre should be here. The difference is, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my eyes off Sophie. I’d probably have locked her in my room all night so I could talk to her and get to know her better. But Lukas doesn’t want to have to babysit his kid sister while he’s trying to let loose.
She’s shaking her head at me again, just like she did this afternoon. That glow of fire burning in her eyes. “I do believe in fun. It’s just that my kind of fun isn’t getting drunk at a kegger and playing beer pong.”
I’m not a fan of that stupid shit either. Though, when I was her age, I was.
“Okay, so what’s your kind of fun then?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Just the typical girl stuff I guess. Shopping, painting my nails, going to the movies. I love to go out to eat, and have cooking competitions with Torre. And I love going to those painting places where you get to make your own artwork and drink mocktails.” I have to bite back my chuckle. If I didn’t think this girl could get any cuter, she just did.
“How on earth do you manage to have cooking competitions in a dorm? Have they added kitchens since freshman year?”
Her cheeks tip right up. “We have a Crock-Pot and a toaster oven. So, there’s only so much we can make. But it’s fun to see how gourmet we can get with our limited resources.”
Clever. When I lived in the dorm, I lived off deli meat and a loaf of bread. And like she mentioned this afternoon: pizza and beer were staples for that first semester. But as soon as Lukas and I got this place our sophomore year, we cleaned up our diet, and I started eating organic products.
“Okay, so then how about tomorrow night you let me take you out to dinner and then a movie? Does that sound fun?”
There’s a shimmer of interest that flickers in her eyes, but just when I think she’s going to say yes, she shakes her head, shutting it down.
“Sorry, I don’t date football players.” Her eyes drop down to my jersey, and my stomach twists with that foreign feeling again. I don’t fucking get it. All the girls I’ve met seem to only want to date me because I play football. This girl…she’s blocking me out at every pass.
“Why? Because you think we’re all dumb jocks?” I can’t even help my offended tone. The rejection really isn’t sitting well.
“No, of course not. It’s obvious you’re smart, seeing as you’re the TA of our class. I’ve just had enough experience with guys like you to know that I’d rather not compete with an entire fan club of eager groupies wanting to spread their legs for you.” To her credit, she has a point. But in my defense, I don’t want any of those girls. And the longer I stare at the girl in front of me, the more I’m thinking I just want her.
“So, what if I’m different? What if I don’t like it when girls eagerly throw themselves at me? What if I’m interested in finding someone who wants to be with me for my charming personality and my brilliant mind and not because I’m the quarterback?” Looks like she didn’t know that fact as her eyes just got bigger. “I’m not like them, Sophie. Believe it or not, there are a few of us football players who are actually looking for something real and are not just interested in fucking as many girls as we can.”
That glimmer of interest is back for the briefest moment, but then it’s gone again, and she’s trying to move away from me.
“I’m sorry. I’m just not interested. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go make sure Torrin is okay.”
She slips past me, heading back towards Lukas’s bedroom, and I have to tuck my shock down between my legs before I go after her. How is it my luck that the one and only girl who’s piqued my interest is the only one shooting me down? The irony of that is crazy.
“Hey, Torre!” she calls out, knocking on the closed door. “Are you almost ready to go?”
It’s like she can’t get away from me fast enough, but I fail to believe she’s not interested. I’m going on a hunch to say that some football alphahole fucked her over in the past, and that’s the motive to her no-dating-football-players rule.
“You know I’ve seen you sneaking looks at me during class.” I step up to her back. “And just so you know, the attraction has been mutual since day one, but I never approached you because I thought you were like all the other girls.” Another shudder ripples through her and it has a contagious effect. “I thought you were only interested in me because I’m the quarterback. So, it looks like we’re both guilty of passing judgement. How about you let me take you out tomorrow night, and we can see how wrong we both were about our assumptions?”
She turns her head, looking up at me. My eyes are drawn to her ruby-red lips, hoping she agrees to go out with me so I’ll have the opportunity of kissing them.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Travis. You’re my TA, and…”
The door opens behind her and a frazzled-looking Torrin comes walking out.
“I’m ready,” Torre states, walking right past us and straight toward the front door. “I’ll meet you outside.”
Sophie turns and chases after her, and I’m left staring at the cutest backside of the girl who refuses to give me a chance. She doesn’t even give me a backward glance. She’s just as eager to get out of here as Torrin is. Maybe I need to play this a different way. Something Bren said earlier comes to mind. Perhaps I need to be a little more persuasive and force the issue.