Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Rome
“ D amn, she’s hot.” one of the rookies says while gawking.
“Do you know who she is?” another new player asks, and my jaw clicks.
It took everything I had not to let my eyes travel down her body. Chrissy is a bombshell, and the entire party sees it. I observe her as she takes a shot, and Gwen chuckles as she sips on a wine cooler. Jumping up and down, Chrissy shakes her head from the sting of the alcohol.
“Rome, do you know who that is?”
“Chrissy Willows,” I bite out as a vein nearly bursts in my forehead.
“Is that her boyfriend?”
I catch the moment another familiar face approaches the two girls across from the pool.
Blake sweeps Gwen in his arms and rubs his knuckles on Chrissy’s head.
“Do you seriously not remember who that is?” I ask rookie number one. Levi Faulkner has black hair and dark brown eyes, is our new quarterback alternate.
“I can’t remember what I ate for breakfast,” he jokes.
I shake my head and take a swig from my water bottle.
Blake pushes up his glasses and walks over to us.
“That’s Blake. He’s the running back we met a few days ago,” rookie number two reminds Levi.
Rookie number two, Chris Williams, has dark chocolate eyes and neat yet wavy trimmed brown hair, and he’s our new wide receiver alternate.
“Oh, right.” Levi nods as he remembers. “Hey, Blake!”
“There you guys are. How’s everyone doing?” Blake asks while grabbing a beer bottle from the cooler.
“Pretty decent,” Chris responds.
They start to go back and forth, but I don’t hear what they’re saying. My eyes and attention are glued on the bubble of energy across the yard. A guy I’ve never seen before approaches her, and my muscles tense in response. I’m about ready to walk over there and save her from the strange guy, but he walks away just as quickly as he appears. Chrissy’s gaze meets mine, and her lips quirk into a lopsided grin.
Dropping my eyes, I try to focus on the crew in front of me.
“Everyone ready to start practice next week?” I ask without trying to sound distant.
“No,” Blake chuckles. “I need a fucking break. My body is getting too old for this shit.”
“You’re twenty-one,” I state with a smile, and he sighs.
“Twenty-one is the new sixty.” He stretches his arm, and I hear it crack.
The rookies look at one another, sharing a quick what the fuck did we get ourselves into look.
“Don’t get old, kids.”
“Don’t listen to him,” I reassure them. “Maybe if you stretched instead of jumping straight into practice, your body wouldn’t be at war with itself.”
“Whatever, Carter.” Blake snorts and punches me in the arm.
“I’m back, and look who I found.” Miles returns from the pool with Zack in tow.
“I was on a secret mission, but I can take a break.” Zack stretches like he wasn’t just lounging on a pool floaty, drinking a fruity cocktail out of a crazy straw.
Whatever secret mission he was on, I don’t think he was succeeding at it.
“Secret mission?” Miles dares to ask.
“Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal. Don’t worry, your cute little head over it,” Zack says while scanning the perimeter.
“Mr. FBI, have you seen your sister?” I ask, knowing damn well his demeanor is about to take a nose dive.
“I refuse to look.” Zack found a random pair of black aviator sunglasses and avoids looking across the pool. “But if I find out anyone was googly eyeing her, I will end you.” He does the I’m watching you motion to the two rookies, and they drop their pervy gazes instantly.
“I would run if I were you because she’s coming.” Miles chuckles.
Everyone but Zack looks over as Chrissy saunters toward us.
“Rome, do me a solid.” Zack grabs me by my shoulder, earning my attention. “Don’t let any of these drooling mouthpieces make a move on my sister.”
“You got it.” I give him a thumbs-up, and he nods.
Zack jumps back into the pool and swims for his post to resume his “secret mission.”
“Hey, boys. Is he okay?” Chrissy asks and nods toward Zack.
Noting her concern, I turn around with a wide grin. “He just needs to cool off,” I say, darting toward Levi, whose eyes are glued to Chrissy’s chest.
Clearing my throat, I wrap my arm around his shoulder to shake him out of whatever trance he’s in.
“Have you met the new guys? This is Levi, and that’s Chris.” Fucking freshmen, you put a pretty girl in front of them, and they go numb.
“I love freshmen. They’re so adorable,” Chrissy coos as she squeezes Chris’s cheeks.
“Will we see you at any of the games?” Levi chokes out.
I hold back my eye roll, and Chrissy smirks. “Absolutely. I’ve got to cheer on the team’s all-star.” She nudges my arm.
“Since when do you care about football?” I ask.
“Since my new friend is a football player,” she says as a matter of fact. “I know nothing about the sport, though. I’ll need some tutoring before the first game.”
“I can help!” Levi volunteers.
“Aw, thank you,” Chrissy coos while ruffling his hair. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to go to the little girls’ room.” Chrissy skips away, either fully aware or completely ignorant of all the eyes on her.
“Rome, is she your?—”
I storm off before Chris can finish his question.
When she passes him, Malik tries to follow her, but I place my hand on his shoulder and firmly squeeze it.
“Fuck off, Malik,” I hiss.
Normally, I wouldn’t talk to my QB like that, but my rage is fuming, and he’s on my warpath. Chrissy is gorgeous, and she has every man here under her thumb. I won’t let them near her, though, even if it means I become an asshole in the process.