Chapter 1 #2
“Ever since my mom went to jail.” Wes huffed a sigh and trailed his finger along the edge of the laptop.
I stared at him and swallowed. His mother was in jail? What the hell? “Uh, what is she in jail for?”
“Aiding and abetting a felon.” His gaze swung to mine. “It was her boyfriend who put her there. If she hadn’t—”
“Wes. What are you talking about?” Ryker stood in the doorway, wiping his hands on a dirty red rag. “You’re supposed to be studying.” He lifted his chin.
“Yeah, okay.” Wes rolled his eyes.
“Uh…” Was he not supposed to talk about it? I was a stranger. I straightened my spine, shifting to the edge of the couch. “So, tell me about football. First string, or?”
“First, but I have to up my game for next year. I want to get scouted.” Wes gave Ryker a pointed look. “I will get scouted, and I’ll play in the NCAA.”
“You’ve got a faulty O2 sensor on your car. We’ll have to order the part and should have it fixed by tomorrow.” Ryker twisted his lips. “Can you get a ride home?”
Lifting my brows, I said, “Sure, I can Uber.” Eli and Malik were probably a few beers in by now.
“And do you want an OEM part or a cheaper aftermarket one?” Ryker arched a brow.
“OEM. I don’t like cheap parts being installed on my car.” Who the hell did he think I was? I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You know, sometimes they’re quite good or even better. I use only the best. But you have it your way.” With a soft huff, he twisted and stepped into the garage.
I pointed my thumb toward the closing door.
“He’s not very friendly, is he?” Maybe it was the reason for his dry spell.
I could change that. He was probably wound up tight.
My dick chubbed as an image filled my head of Ryker, slammed against the wall of the garage, gasping my name while his cum spurted inside my mouth.
I wiped spittle from the corner of my lips. Damn. I loved unwinding his type.
“Did you hear me?” Wes snapped his brows together.
I blinked a few times. “Uh, sorry, but no.” I needed to keep my head on straight.
“I said, he’s got a lot on his plate right now with supporting me and keeping this garage going. He needs to hire another mechanic but doesn’t think he can afford it.” He sighed.
“Sometimes businesses need to spend money to grow.” I stepped to the desk and hitched my hip onto the end, resting the football on top. “I’m majoring in finance, so I have a lot of business classes.”
“Yeah? That’ll come in handy when you get your NFL contract.” A broad grin played across his mouth.
“Now you sound like my father.” With a chuckle, I shook my head. This kid seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and, damn, was so motivated he followed the quarterback stats for the NCAA.
“Yeah, people say I’m mature for my age.” He smirked. “Once I get into college, then my plan is to find an agent in my senior year and make it into the draft.”
“You have some lofty plans.” I glanced through the window and into the stall where my car sat.
Ryker and Dylan chatted about something, waving their hands around.
Shouldn’t Ryker return and talk to me? Or was he expecting me to leave? He never gave me a quote for the work.
“I do, but I know if I set my mind to it, I can make it happen.” Wes closed his laptop. “Want to throw the ball a little? I can show you my arm.” His smirk widened. “Maybe you could share your opinion.”
“Yeah, sure.” It was hot outside, but it would be fun to see what this kid had. Plus, I still needed a quote from Ryker. I stepped to the door and swung it open. “Hey, hate to interrupt your deep conversation here, but can you work up a quote for me?”
Ryker twisted around, his plump lips pressing together. “Yeah, sure.” Tagging Dylan, he said, “Just do what I asked, okay? I’m sure it’s the alternator.” With a huff, he ambled toward me.
“I’ll be out front, throwing the ball with Wes.” I snatched the ball from the desk and jogged to the front door. With a wave at Wes, I said, “Come on.”
Wes’s face lit. “Hell yeah.” He hopped from the desk chair and followed me to the front of the building.
“Go out for a pass.” I held the ball next to my head and threw a soft spiral to him.
He caught the ball and tucked it against his hip. “You can throw it harder than that. I’m in JV, not Pop Warner.” With a quick laugh, he brought his arm up and snapped a bullet straight at me.
I picked the ball out of the air and held it to my chest. Damn, this kid had a great arm. He might play in the NFL someday. “Great throw.” I sent him another spiral, this one at full speed.
“Damn!” The ball hit him in the chest, and he stepped backward, puffing air. “I want to learn how to throw that fast.”
“It’s not all about how fast you throw the ball.
It’s about placing it too. You should know your receivers and how they best catch on the field.
” I popped my eyes open. This kid obviously didn’t have the money for proper coaching, but he was talented as hell.
Fuck, with my father’s money, I’d had everything I needed to succeed.
“Yeah? What do you mean?” Holding the ball at his side, he walked toward me.
“I mean, some guys are great at picking the ball out of the air, while others are solid when the ball hits them in the chest, like how I just threw to you.” I glanced at the building.
There was so much to learn about being a great quarterback, not just a good one.
“You should read the field and know that even if your air guy has defenders all around him, but he’s the closest to the goal, he’s your best shot for a touchdown. ”
“Damn, that never occurred to me. I’ve only looked for the guy who’s open, pretty much.” His head dipped, and he exhaled. “I wish my coaches would tell me shit like this.”
Damn it, Casey, this kid needs your help. I inhaled deeply. “What if…what if I worked with you over the summer?” The team was only doing conditioning right now while our bodies rested before training camp hit in the fall. I had the time. Maybe I’d schedule fewer hookups?
“Would you?” His brows lifted as his lips twitched into a smile.
“I…yeah, I would. Why not?” I patted his shoulder, giving him a broad grin. “I like you, and you have talent.” Leaning in, I hooked a brow and said, “Someday we might play on the same field.” Wouldn’t that be crazy?
“I’d love that. Thank you.” He held his fist against mine. “Someday, we’ll play on the same field.”
I bumped his fist with my own. “Great. Give me your number and we’ll work out a schedule.” I fished my phone from my shorts pocket and held it to my face. A text message from Eli showed on the screen.
Eli
Where the hell are you? Did you get a tow?
I tapped out a quick message to him.
Casey
Didn’t need to. Long story. I’m calling an Uber in a few minutes. Where are you guys? I’ll meet up with you.
Eli
Four-One-Four Pizza. Can’t wait to hear this one
I huffed a chuckle and asked Wes, “What’s your number?” At least I had a good deed to share.
Wes gave me his number, and I entered it into my phone and then called him.
“There, now you have mine too.” I tapped open my Uber app. When would Ryker have my quote ready?
“Hey, I’ve got your quote here.” Ryker stood in the entrance to the shop, holding the glass door open.
“Okay, be right there.” I called the Uber, only five minutes away, and jogged to the shop entrance with Wes following me. The quote better be less than what the dealer would charge. But then how would I know?
“Here.” Ryker handed me a sheet of paper, listing the parts and the labor charges. “Hope this is acceptable.” He grabbed Wes’s arm as he walked by. “Why weren’t you studying?”
Wes tore his arm from Ryker’s grasp. “Dude, it’s okay. We just tossed the ball a little.” He glanced at me. “Turns out, Casey wants to help coach me over the summer, right, Casey?” He beamed at me.
“Right.” I handed the quote back. It was under a thousand dollars, so probably less than the dealer.
A car parked in front of the shop.
“Hey, I think that’s my Uber.” I stepped toward the front door and stopped. “I’ll be in touch, Wes.” My gaze flicked to Ryker, watching me with his mouth dropped open. “And call me when the car is fixed.” I saluted them both. “Later.” With a smirk, I jogged to my ride.