Chapter Twenty-One Cash
Chapter Twenty-One
Cash
That big pass play in the first game of the season, followed by my scrambling touchdown, weren’t enough to dislodge Mick Patterson from his starting quarterback role.
Not that I had any illusions about my heroics since we’d been playing a D-II school.
Still, I’d hoped I’d see a few more reps on the field than I had so far.
Three games into the season, and I’d managed about one full half of play.
I’d known coming in that I was a backup, but from what Coach Ellis had implied when he recruited me in the portal, I’d be in a position to make some solid contributions to the team.
So far, those contributions had been limited to playing scout-team QB in practice and a few third-down throws at critical moments in the games.
The problem with that second one was that teams had already scouted us on the tactic, and I’d had trouble finding an open receiver twice in the last game—plays that had led to punts on fourth down.
I definitely wasn’t padding my stats or helping the Wildcats to win. We were 3-0 to start the season, but I hadn’t had much to do with that. Clearly, I wasn’t giving off Tom-Brady-at-Michigan vibes when he’d started at backup there back in the day.
At least my classes were going well, life was good with my roommates, and Saylor Davis and I couldn’t get enough of each other.
Sometimes I could smell her on my clothes, which never failed to remind me of what we did after those clothes came off.
Catching a phantom whiff of that girl’s floral-and-musk perfume was enough to leave me as hard as cement.
Though after that initial morning when I’d walked her to her car after the opening-game party shenanigans we’d got up to in my bedroom, she’d insisted that playtime was always at her place.
What her bed lacked in size and comfort, the privacy of her apartment made up for. While teasing her as she did her best to be quiet that night had been fun, I preferred it when she screamed my name as I made her come. Sue me.
Saylor wasn’t ready to admit it yet, but we were so far past only being in it for the off-the-charts sex.
That girl just did it for me. Her passion for making movies, the sparkle in her eyes when we teased each other, the way she always made me work for it, whether it was for a laugh or a compliment or a date—she got me.
Both of us were competitive in our respective ways, but she challenged me to work harder, be better.
The bonus was she was drop-dead sexy. I never tired of just looking at her.
We were headed out of town for a game over the weekend, which meant I wouldn’t see her before Sunday afternoon, so I’d asked her to coffee.
Leaning against the railing, I waited for her at the bottom of the stairs to the Film building, which gave me a great view of her when she walked out the doors.
Fall had slipped into the air, so gone were the short dresses that showed off her long, tanned legs.
Today she was wearing black leggings that hugged her like a second skin.
Sexy high-heeled tan boots stopped just below her knees.
The oversize lavender-and-tan sweater that dropped below her hips hinted at her curves in a way that shouldn’t have been as mouth-watering as it was.
A knit cap in the same color and pattern as her sweater sat at a jaunty angle over her long, blonde hair.
The sight of her looking so hot sent a lick of fire through my veins, and I discreetly adjusted myself as I pushed off from the railing.
“Saylor!”
Fuck. I knew that voice. She hadn’t mentioned Barry the asshole since classes had started, so I’d thought he was out of the picture.
Her eyes catching mine, she ignored him and skipped down the steps to meet me.
“Hey, babe.” I slipped my arm around her back and hauled her up close. “I missed you.”
Pulling her phone from some hidden pocket in her leggings, she checked the time and wrinkled her nose at me. “It’s been less than twelve hours since we were last together.”
“A lifetime, believe me.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re kind of sappy?” she asked, even as her body melted against mine.
“Saylor. I was talking to you,” Barry interrupted as he stepped right into our space.
“Dude. Back off. Can’t you see we’re busy here?”
If the guy could have crispy-fried me with his eyes, no doubt I’d be a smoking pile of ash on the sidewalk. Then he returned his attention to Saylor. “I just found out you’re in 401 next semester. I thought we were making another movie together.”
“I thought I made myself clear last spring that I was never working with you again.” She slipped her hand across my back under my backpack and snuggled closer to my side.
“I reminded you my dad knows people in the business,” he sneered.
“What’s your deal, Barry?” I emphasized his name as though I were describing something that needed scraping off my shoe. “Are you threatening Saylor?”
“You’re nothing but a dumb jock. Don’t act like you have a clue what’s going on here.”
For a guy whose physique made it obvious he’d never picked up anything heavy in his life, he sure thought he was tough.
“What’s going on here,” I said, pulling Saylor closer to me and farther away from him, “is that you want what you can’t have, so you’re resorting to threats to get it. It’s not a good look.”
Pretending I wasn’t there, Barry reached for her. “Saylor, the last day for drop-add is today. You still have time to drop 401 for next semester and be on my team this semester for our senior project. I’ve already added your name to my list.”
I dropped my arm from my girl with the clear intention of stepping right up in Barry’s face, but she anticipated me, squeezing my side before letting me go.
“I’m directing my senior project. My team is in place, and we have the dean’s signature to prove it.
I’ve done my time with you. I won’t be doing any more.
” With a nod at me over her shoulder, she added, “And this ‘dumb jock’ could kick your ass in any class you care to name—but where he’s already kicked your ass is in manners and respect, both of which he has in spades, and neither of which you will ever possess.
” She stepped back beside me. “I’ve only ever been interested in dating real men, not little boys who hide behind threats they rely on their dads to finish for them.
” She slid her arm back around my waist. “Don’t bother me again, Barnard. ”
The fuck-ton of disdain she loaded onto his name should have leveled the guy. Instead, he went for a takedown of his own. “When I’m through with you, you’ll be begging to spread your legs for me.”
My right hand was wrapped around Saylor’s waist, and before I could disengage myself from her to deliver the blow the asshole was begging for, my girl beat me to it.
Barry fell back on his ass, landing awkwardly on the concrete stairs behind him.
His eyes saucered as he clocked the blood on his hand after he touched his mouth.
As he inspected the blood, the feral smile he gave her made my blood run cold.
“Well, that answers one question.” He scrambled back to his feet, taking care to stand on a stair that allowed him to look down at us.
“The deadline is five o’clock. I’ll expect to see your name on the Film 401 fall roster when I check in the morning. ”
Tightening my arm around Saylor, I gave Barry a promise. “A smart man would know when he’s lost the game. Apparently, you’re not very smart. But if you threaten my girlfriend again, I’m going to dust you.”
The pure venom in his glare told me he wasn’t done. “That wouldn’t be a good look for the team, now, would it?” He turned and shuffled back up the stairs and through the doors of the building.
We started walking toward our date at the Union, but about a block away from the Film building, I sensed the shivers coming over my girl. I led us into an alcove on the side of Huffine Hall and pressed her against the wall. “Talk to me, babe.”
Her teeth were chattering, and I knew it wasn’t from the cold.
“Fuck.” I shrugged off my backpack and pulled my spare hoodie out of it.
“Here—put this on.” I slipped my hand under the strap of her messenger bag and tugged it down her arm, dropping it on the ground at our feet, then I dropped my hoodie over her head and helped her thread her arms into the sleeves.
My arms came around her, and I held her tight against my chest. “You did good back there. That punch you threw would impress boxing coaches everywhere.”
She stiffened at my words.
“Seriously, babe. That dick had it coming. When you’re ready, I’ll go with you to file a complaint. I don’t care who his dad is—that little prick doesn’t threaten you and get away with it.”
Against my chest, she nodded, but I had a bad feeling about where her head was.
Attempting to soothe her, I held her close, warming her with my body and brushing soft kisses over her temple.
At last I sensed the shivers quieting, and I pulled back enough to look into her gorgeous amber eyes, which were more brown than golden at the moment.
“The Union is kinda loud. Want to go somewhere private?”
“I have another class in less than an hour.”
Brushing another kiss over her temple, I said, “I know a place we can go where we can be alone. Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
“Words, Saylor.”
“Yes, Cash. I trust you.”
After a short walk up the street to the stadium, I let us into the film room I was reasonably sure would be deserted at this time of day.
Mercifully, it was. I pulled her down onto my lap in one of the seats at the back.
The great thing about the space was that it had been built to accommodate big men, so there was plenty of room for the two of us on the wide, deep cushion.
Running my hand up and down her back, I asked, “You ready to talk now?”