Chapter 5 #2
Lights dim in the room, making the red lights above our lockers and the W on the ceiling glow bright. There’s a soft light shining near me, but not directly on me. I feel like I’m under a spotlight in a way.
The same guy who adjusted the mic holds a board like you see in the movies. It has my name on it. “Bo Callaway. First interview.” He claps the top piece to the body of the board.
“Introduce yourself first, say where you’re from, then roll into answering the question.
” He looks at me, and I nod in understanding.
“Bo, you were the number one recruit in the country coming out of your senior year in high school. Tell us why you chose to come to Walker University instead of, let’s say, Ohio State, who recruited you heavily.
Or staying in California and playing for USC or UCLA. ” Kyler nods at me to start.
“Bo Callaway, San Francisco, California. Number six. Quarterback for the Walker University Stallions.” I shift in my seat and fold my hands in my lap.
“Walker was always my top choice. If you want to be legendary, you come to Walker.” I unfold my hands and lift them up slightly.
“I mean, the football program’s history speaks for itself.
There’s just a standard of excellence that is expected; it’s the culture.
When you come into the building and you see all the history lining the halls, no other program in the country compares.
You want to be part of that history, be remembered. ”
“When you came to Walker, did you know you would be taking over the starting position from Liam Pitz?” he asks pointedly.
“Liam Pitz is an amazing quarterback and my friend. I don’t see the need to discuss that on camera.
It has nothing to do with the upcoming season.
Move on to the next question, please.” The question annoys me because what I said is true.
Liam is my friend, and honestly, I had to prove myself the same as he did that season.
“Fair.” He shifts his head to the side and looks back at his iPad. “Can you tell us about your relationship with Coach Pettys?”
“When I met Coach Pettys, I knew we would be a good fit. Not only has he had an amazing career, but his coaching style matches what I need to inspire me to be the best quarterback I can be. Not only do I admire him as my coach, but also as a man.” I smile.
“He believes in and cares about every athlete on the team. I can’t imagine playing for anyone else. ”
Kyler asks me some more questions about the upcoming season, about teams I’m looking forward to playing, but thankfully and surprisingly, he stays away from asking personal questions.
As we’re finishing up, he explains that they’ll be following me around campus from time to time and definitely around the team facilities.
None of that surprises me, as it was all listed in the packets we were given.
Am I looking forward to it? Not really, but also, I know there will be a lot of eyes on me this season, and I need to represent my team positively.
I can talk football all day though, so as long as they stay in that lane, we’ll be just fine.
A few hours later, I open the door to my house and hear laughter. Charlie, Noelle, and Chelsea are sitting on the couches, watching some reality show with people on a yacht. I don’t think they’ve noticed me yet, so I just stand there quietly, listening to them.
“Oh my God, he totally slept with Kate. How have they been able to keep it quiet this long?” Charlie slaps her hand on her leg.
“Seriously, Sean is a total player. He slept with Mallory last season,” Chelsea says.
“Yuck. How do they not have a gazillion STDs on those yachts? They all slept with each other at some point or another.” Noelle turns to look at Charlie and sees me. “Oh, hi, Bo! Where’s Casey?”
“Hello, ladies. How’s everyone doing?” I smile and look at Chelsea.
She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear, smiling.
Charlie turns to face me, still sitting on the couch. “Hey, Bo. If you’re hungry, I made some extra grilled chicken and veggies, even though it’s not my night to cook for everyone.” She winks at me.
“You’re the best, Charlie. I’m starving.” I pat my stomach. “Did you all eat? Should I save some for Casey and Silas too?” I ask, walking toward the kitchen.
“We ate already, but I’m sure my brother and Silas will need to eat when they get home, unless they grab something at the field,” Charlie calls out.
“Okay, thanks.” I grab a plate from the cabinet and set it on the counter, then walk to the fridge and pull the chicken and veggies out.
While I eat, I listen to the girls talking and laughing, and it makes me smile. They’re funny, talking about their predictions for the show and making guesses on who will hook up. But what I hear next stops me in my tracks.
“Speaking of hookups, Chelsea, whatever happened to that guy you were hanging out with occasionally last year? He was kind of cute,” Noelle asks her.
What guy? I don’t remember any guys hanging around. She definitely didn’t bring anyone over here.
Chelsea lets out a laugh. “Oh, Patrick? He was just someone to mess around with. Nothing serious at all.”
“Patrick, that’s right. I couldn’t think of his name for some reason,” Noelle says.
“Yeah, he wasn’t all that memorable in any area, if you know what I mean,” Chelsea says, and they all laugh.
“Oh, there’s a really hot guy in my Art Therapy class. I could get his number for you. He seems like your type,” Charlie says.
“What’s my type?” Chelsea asks her with a giggle.
“Like, studious? I don’t know.” Charlie starts to laugh. “Just seems like someone I could see you with. Definitely not my type, but he is cute.”
“Thanks, Charlie, but I’ll pass. The last guy I hooked up with who was ‘studious’ got a little too serious, too fast. It has been a while for me though,” she says with a sigh.
I mean, I volunteer.
They move on to talk about the show again, and I finish eating, still listening in. They’re funny together.
Once I’m done, I clean up my dishes. Then I grab my bag from near the doorway and head toward my room.
I’d love to hang out with Chelsea, but she seems like she’s having fun with the girls, so I don’t want to intrude.
As I pass by them, I can’t help but look over at her.
We make eye contact, and I smile at her, and she smiles back.
When I get to my room, I set my bag down near my dresser and pull out clean boxers and shorts and set them on my bed. I need to jump in the shower since I didn’t shower at the field today. In all honesty, I wanted to get home to see if Chelsea was here yet.
I walk across the hall and into the bathroom and take one of the fastest showers of my life.
I step out of the shower and grab my towel, rubbing it over my head, then wrap it around my waist. I swipe some deodorant on, run my comb through my hair, grab my dirty clothes, and step out into the hall, the towel hanging from my hips.
Walking to my room, I catch someone staring at me from the opposite end.
Not just anyone.
Chelsea. She must have been heading from the living room into the kitchen, but now she’s standing there, her pretty mouth slightly parted, staring at me with her eyes wide.
Her eyes roam from my chest and take a detour south until she gives a little squeak and then blinks as if she wasn’t just checking me out.
I wink at her, then walk into my room, tossing my dirty clothes in my hamper in the corner. I played it cool in the hallway, but internally, I’m fucking reeling. The cutest girl in all of Walker was definitely checking me out. No doubt.
After running the towel over my body one time, I throw it into the corner, right into the middle of the basket. I pull my boxers up my legs, then my shorts. I should probably put a shirt on before I walk back out there, but … I think I’ll test the waters with Chelsea a little.
I need to know if I affect her like she does me.