Chapter 17 #2
“Shimá.” I hadn’t heard from her since she had told me about her dream. I answered the call. “Hey, how are you, Auntie?”
“Malik, are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, why?” Hell, she sounded concerned again. I rose from the table. Should I take this into my room?
“I had another dream. It was just like the last one.” She huffed. “What’s happening out there?”
“N-nothing’s happening.” My pulse hummed through my body. She had to be wrong about this. “I hurt my ankle after your last dream, but I was only out three games and it’s fine now.”
Grey stood and stepped to me. “Is everyone okay back home?”
With a nod, I said, “Yeah.” I pursed my lips and into the phone said, “What are you seeing?” Could it be something between Grey and me? But we were good.
“It was the same. You were crying. Something bad happened, but I can’t put my finger on what.” In a softer voice, she said, “Is Grey okay?”
“He’s great. He’s playing well, and he’s acing all his classes.
” I tensed the corner of my mouth. I couldn’t tell her about us and the stupid dates we had coming up.
That would out Grey, and she’d think I was crazy.
I was though, wasn’t I? Loving my best friend enough that I’d agree to a double date to make his dad happy?
Fake date. It was a fake double date. But the girls didn’t know that.
“I don’t know, honey. You be careful out there. There’s a storm coming your way. I feel it, but I think you can overcome it. Just watch for the signs.” She sighed. “Maybe this makes little sense to me, but it could make sense to you if you keep your wits about you.”
“Yeah, okay. Way to be cryptic.” I choked out a laugh. I knew how these things went with her. The dreams sometimes left her with feelings and not specifics. I glanced at my laptop. I had a lot of work tonight. “Hey, I was studying and—”
“I know you’re busy. I just felt it necessary to warn you. This wasn’t about your ankle injury. I know that much.” She scoffed. “Please be careful.”
“I will. Love you.” As my chest grew tense, I gripped my phone tighter.
“Love you too. Bye now.” She ended the call.
“What the hell was that?” Grey combed his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t know. This is the second time she’s called to tell me something bad was about to happen.” I slumped my shoulders. Hell, now I’d be on edge for the next couple of days.
“If we only leave the house for classes and practice, nothing should happen to us.” Draping his arm around my shoulders, he kissed my cheek. “Being at home with you is my favorite thing, because we can be ourselves.”
“I know.” With a soft grin, I kissed him. Whatever this was, we’d fight it together.
We had a quiet Thanksgiving feast at home that Grey had ordered specially from a local restaurant comprising prime rib, mashed potatoes and gravy with pumpkin pie and the next day, made it to our last game of the season against the University of Arizona, our biggest rival.
The stadium buzzed with energy as we played, taking the lead early in the first half with two touchdowns, one by Bailey and one by James.
I sat on the sidelines next to Grey, watching our defense hold U of A’s offense from gaining much momentum.
The cool night air was a pleasure to play in.
It finally felt like football weather. “Hey, so where are Ella and Tiffany?” I glanced into the stands.
We’d gotten lucky this afternoon. Because Ella’s flight had been delayed, she hadn’t arrived in time for Grey to meet her before the game.
“Fifty-yard line, about twenty rows up. Dad helped secure the seats.” He rolled his eyes.
“Oh.” I nodded and watched as U of A kicked a field goal.
“Well, they’re on the board.” We’d have five minutes before halftime.
I was hoping with one more touchdown, Coach would feel confident enough to put Grey in the game.
Yes, this was my last college game at ASU, but he needed to show off his stuff for Dennis. I already had a deal to sign with him.
After the half-time pep talk, we took to the field again, and five minutes into the third quarter, I rushed out with the offensive line. Where we’d played a passing game in the first half, Coach Reid had called for more running plays in the second half, so this was my time to shine.
After the huddle, I clapped with the team and lined up on our twenty-seven-yard line. I hoped to drive us down the field slowly, maintaining our lead and running down the clock. A big D-man, Crowley, had been covering me all night.
“I’ve got my eye on you, Thompson.” He growled at me from behind his face mask.
“Yeah? Your eyes will watch my ass take the ball down the field in a second.” I barked a laugh.
Our center snapped the ball, and James took a few steps back, his head on a swivel.
I barreled through the line, ran my route, and then turned. It was supposed to be a short pass, but a U of A linebacker broke through and sprinted toward James.
Taking off toward me, James raced with the ball, twirling around a lineman.
I pushed ahead, finding an opening. “James!”
With a flurry of guys coming at him, James tossed the ball to me and went down with two guys landing on top of him.
“Fuck.” Tucking the ball, I peered downfield. All these fuckers were behind me. The field was mine. I dashed down the turf, chest out, legs pumping and adrenaline swirling in my veins. If the last touchdown of my college career was this one, I’d be one happy motherfucker.
As I ran into the end zone, the announcers called, “Touchdown ASU!” The crowd went insane, jumping around and screaming, and the band played the fight song. I did a little jig and handed the ball to the closest ref before jogging off the field and toward Grey.
“What a fucking run, Thompson!” Coley patted my helmet as I jogged past him. All I wanted was Grey.
As Grey met me, he hefted me off my feet and swung me in a circle. “Sixty-seven yards! You ran a sixty-seven-yard touchdown!” He squeezed me briefly and set me down. “Fuck, I could kiss you right now.”
“Yeah? Right now?” I swung my gaze to the stands. If I took my helmet off, would he?
“Thompson, great job.” Coach Barlow patted my shoulder pad. “How would you feel if I let Moore finish out the game?”
Grey’s eyes widened. “You don’t have to do this, Malik.”
“Yes, I do.” I gave Grey a side hug, our pads knocking together. “With that touchdown, I’m ending on a high note, and I can’t wait to watch you tear it up out there.” I locked my gaze on Coach. “Play him. He deserves this.” Depending on the score tonight, we were still contenders for a bowl game.
“Okay. Moore, get warmed up.” Coach held his hand out to me. “Thompson, it’s been a pleasure to work with such an upstanding guy and team player.”
“Thanks, Coach.” I shook his hand. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my years of playing on this field.
After Grey pulled off an additional touchdown to win the game, we drove in Grey’s car to the frat party.
ASU didn’t permit alcohol at the Greek village because it was a dry campus.
“Turn here.” I watched the app on my phone.
This house was in Circle G Ranch, an upscale neighborhood of Tempe with million-dollar custom homes.
It fitted that Tiffany and Ella knew about this place.
As we pulled through open gates and into the community of sprawling mansions with circle driveways, fountains and green landscapes, we pulled to the side of the road and parked in front of a Tuscan-style home with a rounded turret and a large portico covering the drive leading to the front door.
Lights and rock music spilled from the house.
“This is it.” Tiffany and Ella were supposed to Uber.
My pulse snuck into my throat. The rest of this amazing night might suck.
I’d have to watch Grey with fucking Ella.
Holding his phone to his face, he said, “They’re pulling up now.
” As his gaze met mine, his throat dipped, and his eyes glistened in the glow from the dashboard lights.
“Malik, whatever happens, know that you’re the one I want to be with.
” Grabbing the back of my head, he smashed a hard kiss on my lips and then pressed his forehead against mine.
“I’d rather be at home with you right now, celebrating our win in my bedroom. ”
My heart melted. “Yeah, I know.” I couldn’t fault him for this. He lived in a different world from mine. Plus, he’d go through the same torture as me, watching me with Tiffany.
A sedan stopped behind us, and giggling filled the air.
“Must be them.” With a deep inhale, I stepped out of the car, adjusting my thin sweater over my jeans.
A woman stepped toward me, her long blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders and a tight sweater showing off her ample breasts. Her high heels clicked on the pavement as she walked toward me. “Malik?”
“Yeah?” My gaze swung to her companion, a brunette with the same hairstyle and similar heels, wearing yoga pants and a cropped V-neck sweater. Had they dressed the same tonight? But girls did that, didn’t they?
“I’m Ella, and this is my friend, Tiffany.” Her smile widened as her gaze shifted toward Grey. “Grey, so good to see you again.” She sauntered toward him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “You played so well tonight.”
Hooking an arm around her slender waist, he said, “I only played the last half. Malik did all the work.” He freed a stammering chuckle and peeked at me.
I stared at them, and then faced Tiffany, who gave me a shy smile as she stepped toward me. “It’s nice to meet you, Tiffany.” I stretched my hand out to her.
“Oh, how about a quick hug?” With a giggle, she fell against my side, the scent of alcohol wafting off her.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” I side-hugged her and then grabbed her hand. How much had they drunk at the game? “Do you know the people here?”
“Sure. I’m an Alpha Kappa and this is an Alpha Phi party.” She pulled me along up the driveway.
“Oh.” I knew nothing about the Greek shit.
Being serious about football meant my fraternity was the football team.
I strode behind her, peeking back at Grey and Ella.
She was a pretty girl. I had to give her that.
But she didn’t know what Grey looked like when he fell apart in bed.
She’d never know. I’d make sure of that.
We’d filed into the house and made our way into an expanse of a kitchen, so large our kitchen and main room could fit inside it, all with top of the line, built-in appliances and custom cabinetry, all in the same Tuscan aesthetic as the house.
“Do you think they’ll have anything decent to drink or just beer?” Ella hung on Grey’s shoulder.
“It’s a frat party. I’m sure there’s some punch around here.” As he turned in front of a keg sitting at the end of the kitchen island, a man yelled, “Look, it’s Malik Thompson and Grey Moore from the football team!”
Who the hell said that? My gaze widened as I scanned the room. Of course, there’d be football fans here.
A few guys strode to us, all with beers in hand, and the biggest one said, “You were awesome tonight. That sixty-seven-yard touchdown was sick.” He held his hand up, and I slapped it.
“Thanks, man.” I peeked at Tiffany, pouting and arching a brow toward Ella.
“And you too, Moore. I saw you replace Thompson after his injury. You held your own out there.” A second guy said while stepping toward him.
“I did my best, but Malik is the star.” As Grey’s cheeks bloomed pink, he peeked at Ella, gazing at him with stars in her eyes.
Oh, fuck, here we go. “Hey, what else do you have to drink besides beer?” I lifted my chin. If I could get the girls drunk, we could drop them off at home and escape.
“Sure, we have tequila, vodka, whiskey, you name it.” The taller guy said.
“Oh, do you have cranberry?” Tiffany inched closer to my side.
“We do. Right over there.” He pointed to a corner in the kitchen where bottles of liquor and mixers rested with Solo cups.
“Vodka cranberry then? For both of you?” I had to keep myself busy, so I couldn’t watch Ella fawning all over Grey.
“Yes, please,” Ella said while primping Grey’s bangs. “You have such amazing hair.”
He pursed his lips. “Uh, thanks.”
“You’ve got it.” I left Tiffany’s side and made the drinks. Should I make doubles for the girls? Maybe. Grey had to drive, so I made his drink weak.