Chapter 5
FIVE
TEX (TRAVIS)
That damned Sara was a cock blocker for sure.
After eating pizza and keeping my conversation with Colton strictly on my classwork, I drove home in my truck.
I’d sensed a definite space grow between us after she’d appeared at our table.
I’d been damn sure he was queer though, and I’d almost kissed him right there at the table. It had felt right.
I parked in the driveway of our home and hopped out. Light spilled from the front room’s window onto the landscaping rock. Malik and Grey were home. Would they be decent or fooling around? I was pretty sure whenever they had the house alone they took advantage of it.
Swinging the front door open, I said, “I’m home.” I didn’t want to catch them in the act. No, that was gross, and I didn’t need to see it. Especially after my strange night with Colton.
Malik sat on our blue sectional next to Grey, playing Madden. Malik flicked his gaze toward me. “Hey, Tex. How was the date with your tutor?” He chuckled.
“It wasn’t a date and the girl he’s bringing to the game was there.” With a huff, I strode to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottled water. I should rehydrate after drinking all the beer.
“Are you shitting me? He invited the girl to your study date thing?” Grey paused the game and set his controller on the coffee table.
“No, he didn’t invite her. She just appeared there with some friends and damn, she was protective of him.” In fact, I’d even say she seemed jealous of me. Did she know he was queer?
“Protective?” Malik patted the cushion next to him. “Sit down and tell us more.”
Think I wouldn’t? I’d sat and listened to all his worries about Grey for the last few months.
Now it was my turn. I fell onto the end of the sofa and unscrewed my bottle.
“Colton opened up to me tonight. It felt like we had a moment, and I almost kissed him.” I sipped my water, thinking back on the confusing night.
“Are you serious? You were going to plant one on him right there at the pizza place?” Malik’s brows swept up. “Were there people around?”
“And did you confirm if he’s queer?” Grey planted his hand on Malik’s thigh.
“I didn’t ask him, but he seemed into it. He didn’t move away when I got close to him.” Yes, I’d done my fair share of testing him, and his body language had given me a green light. I twisted the bottle between my thighs.
“You need to talk to him, Tex. Talk to him and find out for sure if he likes guys.” Malik glanced at Grey. “Don’t be stupid like we were.” He chuckled.
“No one could be as clueless as you two were.” I tsked. Their deep, unspoken love probably spanned years.
“Still, verify things with him.” Grey gave me a pointed look. “What did Colton share regarding his date on Saturday?”
“He still says he doesn’t like her romantically, and after her behavior tonight, I don’t think they’ll have a second date.” She’d dug her grave, and I couldn’t say I was unhappy about it.
“So when will you ask him out?” A shit-eating grin spread across Malik’s lips.
“Don’t know. First, we’d have to cut ties officially as student and tutor.” I worried my lip. Did I need more tutoring for my class? I was fine for now, but who knew what crazy math was coming next?
“Oh, yeah, that’s a problem.” Malik rolled his eyes. “Like school policy stops people from hooking up.”
I pushed Malik’s shoulder. “It wouldn’t stop me, but he’s the one who’s a stickler for it. I think he’d probably lose his authorization to tutor if they discovered him.”
“So, do it in private and don’t tell anyone.” As Grey’s eyes grew wide, he stared at Malik.
“Yeah, right.” I’d leave that comment alone. They had good reasons for hiding their status, but I didn’t want to live like that. “Anyway, I’m going to bed.” But before sleep, I’d scroll Colton’s Instagram feed a little. Maybe knowing him better would clarify the photos.
After getting ready for bed, I slipped between my sheets with my phone in my hand, settled on my pillows against my headboard and opened my Instagram app. It might be fun to follow Colton. Would he follow me back? With a smirk, I tapped the follow button on his profile. This could be telling.
My scrolling continued until I arrived near the end of Colton’s high school years or just beyond.
The young man staring back at me had vacant eyes.
All the photos were chaotic, with random things like parking lots and messy bedrooms thrown in between images of him at parties.
His large, bloodshot eyes stared back at me, and his cheekbones protruded, like he weighed thirty pounds less than he did now.
“Oh my God, Colton. What happened to you?” I knew, though. He’d almost lost his life. My heart ached for him. Without hearing his story, what would I have thought about these photos?
With a deep inhale, I scrolled further. Selfies came up of him with a thin woman wearing a scarf. She had the same stunning green eyes. She must be his mother. How awful for him to have gone through that.
Were there any photos of his father? I continued searching, but there were no photos of an older man, just him with a dark-haired man in a jersey at a hockey rink.
That must be Evan. He had his arm around Colton’s shoulders and gave the camera a wide grin.
It was easy to see the close friendship between them.
As I scrolled to more recent photos, the difference in Colton’s appearance was stark.
He’d gone from a messy teenager to an adult with conservative clothing and practiced smiles.
Who was the real Colton? Could I bring back some of what he’d lost?
An ache filtered through my chest. I wanted to.
I barely knew him, but he intrigued me like no one else had.
With a sigh, I set my phone on the charger on my nightstand and turned off the lamp.
Colton had free time tomorrow, but I had so much to prepare for before the game.
I shifted down on the bed and rolled sideways, tucking my hand beneath a pillow.
I’d look ahead at my assignments and see if they’d get any easier.
Then maybe after Colton’s date with Sara, I’d take a chance with him.
I closed my eyes and drifted off.
It was game day, and we were playing the Houston Cougars. They were a top team this year, and people didn’t expect us to win. But I had a man to impress, so we’d see about that.
Following discussions and game preparation, I stood in the tunnel behind Malik and Grey, anticipating taking the field.
“You ready for this?” Malik turned his helmeted head and patted my shoulder pad. “Don’t get distracted.”
“I’ll be fine, don’t you worry. I’ll make holes for you.” I huffed a snicker. He’d need me to block for him tonight. The running game would dominate this team’s strategy. Their defense had the most interceptions of any team in the NCAA.
“Let’s go.” Grey jogged after the rest of the team with Malik following.
As adrenaline shot through my veins, I sprinted after them.
The tunnel opened to the stadium and the roaring crowd under the bright lights.
Fireworks sparkled at the corners of the field, and the announcers called our names.
The band played the fight song, with the lights glinting off the brass instruments.
As I rushed onto the center of the field, I twisted toward our bench, raising my arms to rally the crowd. My gaze landed on Colton, standing a few rows up from our bench and beside Sara, both clapping and shouting.
As Sara’s gaze found me, she hooked an arm around Colton’s neck and pressed a hard kiss on his lips. When she left him, he stared at her, his mouth dropped open.
My chest stung. Was it their first kiss? Hell, they’d already been to dinner together. Had Colton’s feelings changed toward her? It didn’t matter. I had to keep my head in the game.
“Come on, bench time.” James patted each of us on the ass and led the offense toward the sidelines.
A few minutes before halftime, we were down by ten points, and I was on the field. Our running plays weren’t working, and I’d let James get sacked a few times already. I had to do better.
James was about to throw to Bailey, our new wide receiver after JJ left the team. I had to ensure James had enough time. As I lined up for the play, I peeked into the stands.
Colton’s forehead wrinkled, and he raised his hand as if to wave.
Grabbing his hand, Sara kissed it and leaned in close to him, saying something.
His attention drew to her, and he smiled.
“Fuck.” I shouldn’t have looked. Gritting my teeth, I focused on the defender across from me, who was returning a smirk.
“Not your best game, huh, Rowlings?” The defender cackled.
I hung my head and glared at the grass. There were no words at the moment.
Our center snapped the ball, and the play started.
Rushing the defender, I pushed him out of my way and ran for a linebacker running toward James. We needed time for Bailey to get into position.
The linebacker hit me head-on, his shoulder smashing into my chest.
As a whoosh of air left my lungs, I grunted and tumbled backward, my ass hitting the turf first and then my head. The stadium spun for a moment, and I lay there while the pain in my chest radiated to my limbs. That fucker. Was I hurt? It had been a legal hit.
Turning my head, I watched Bailey catch the ball. I had to get up, or the refs might stop the play. Wincing, I rose onto my elbows and then sat up.
Bailey ran like a bat out of hell, sprinting past Houston’s defenders and into the end zone. The crowd went wild, everyone jumping up and down.
“Touchdown, ASU!” the announcer said, and the band played our fight song.
My gaze swung to Colton, standing still and fixated on me as Sara hopped beside him, grabbing his biceps.