Chapter 3
Ryan
“How was your weekend?” my boss, Troy, asks as we work together in the pit, replacing suspension brakes on a Nissan Sentra.
I started at the auto shop the summer before last, after hearing from one of my teammates that a position had opened up.
It was a great opportunity with flexible hours that, unlike most jobs, worked with my schedule for training and games during the season.
I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy it, but it’s kind of like football—I’m a natural.
I like working with my hands, figuring out what’s wrong with whatever car I’m working on.
And Troy, who recently became part owner of the place, is a great boss.
Really taken me under his wing. It helps that he played football in high school, so even when we don’t have much to talk about, we can always talk about our favorite teams. He also has great sports analogies for when shit goes wrong in a car to help me understand what’s going on.
“My weekend?” I ask. “Hmmm. How do I put this? Hot until it wasn’t.”
Troy fidgets with the brake line. “Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.”
“You ever go on probation at your frat?”
Troy’s an Alpha Theta Mu alum, though I don’t hold it against him…much.
He stops what he’s doing and turns to me. “No, and how the hell am I only now hearing about this? What did you do this time?”
“Already assuming it was my bad?” At his glare, I confess, “It involves a couple of girls and Marty.” His eyebrows flare, and I quickly add, “Not like, us all together. A four-way with Marty? Fuck, I can’t even imagine.”
As I cringe at the thought, Troy bursts into a laugh. “That wasn’t where my mind went at all. I thought it was odd, the idea of you two fighting over girls.”
I snicker just thinking about Marty trying to hit on girls. “Not at all. You should see him with Lance’s friend Angie. He can barely get words out whenever she’s around. Although, it’s fun watching him get all flustered.”
When she’s over, he’s quiet, attentive…and I’m not even sure he’s noticing anyone else. Adorable.
Maybe not adorable.
That’s a weird thing to think about a guy I don’t even like.
“Can’t tell if she picks up on it, but it’s hard to believe she doesn’t with how obvious he is.”
“Yeah, Marty’s a great guy, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a girlfriend. But your night sounds like it was better if a couple of girls were involved.”
“It was until Marty came in.”
Troy’s brow rises. “I have a feeling you’re not totally innocent in this story.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“Alpha Theta Mu for life,” he teases with a wink.
Of course that’s where his allegiance would lie.
“Now hand me another C-clamp,” he says.
I pass one over, and while he affixes it, I go on, “That guy does not like me, and the feeling is mutual. He wanted me out of the house the day we came to stay over there. That’s why he was so insistent on me staying in his room.
So he could watch over me and wait for me to fuck up.
And now I feel like if I so much as don’t change the toilet paper roll, I’m outta there. ”
My fate depends on Marty, so I wasn’t doing myself any favors by continuing to argue with him even after I was put on probation, but I can’t help it. We’re fire and gasoline, and I guess I’m the gasoline because it seems like everywhere I go, the flames are chasing me.
“Marty’s a good guy,” Troy says. “He can be prickly, but he’s also very considerate, and loyal as hell when you get to know him.”
“Doesn’t account for why the guy’s whole personality revolves around being such a stick-in-the-mud. You know he’s a lifeguard at a community pool over the summer? I can only imagine him chasing those poor kids around, sounding the whistle every time there’s a splash.”
“You realize he’s really just trying to keep everyone safe.”
“Maybe that applies to the rest of the guys, but that’s not how it is with me. He doesn’t like me, and I honestly can’t think of anyone who bugs me more than him.”
Troy smiles, a sparkle in his eyes.
“What?” I press.
“I had a guy like that in my life. Real prick. Always annoying the hell out of me, keeping me on edge. To think how many times I wanted to sock him one.”
“What happened?”
“We’re considering getting a dog.” He beams, making me laugh.
That’s when it hits me. “Dude, you’re talking about your boyfriend? Seriously? You really got me with that one. I was thinking you were gonna say you kicked his ass or something.”
“Nah, kicking isn’t what I do with him.”
We share another laugh.
“Now he’s fucking branded you, dude,” I say, indicating the tat of Atlas’s name on his wrist.
I used to see his boyfriend/stepbro around campus, and since he graduated, I mostly see him through Troy.
He’s a cool guy who does a lot of good work for a nonprofit in Peachtree Springs.
When they’re together, they’re totally obsessed, which isn’t surprising given they have each other’s name tattooed on their bodies.
“The animosity between Mart and me is different,” I explain. “You and Atlas give each other hell, but it’s always like roasting, there’s something friendly behind it. That’s the way I am with most of the guys in the house.”
“It wasn’t always like that. Atlas used to know how to pick at my sorest spots. Guy could get me from zero to a hundred with one snide comment. Not saying you and Marty are destined to be boyfriends, though.”
I huff. “I can just imagine Marty as a boyfriend. He’d be exhausting.
Always stressed. I keep thinking if he got laid, then maybe he’d be less of an ass.
Someone needs to give it to him so that maybe he can chill the fuck out.
Actually, on second thought, maybe it would work out because that might match my sex drive. ”
Troy eyes me, his expression twisted up.
“What?” I ask.
“You realize you just went on a tangent about messing around with him, right?”
“No, I was saying someone should. Not me. Don’t make it weird.”
He glares playfully. “You already did.”
“Whatever, dude.”
My phone buzzes in my back pocket, and when I pull it out, I see Mom’s calling. Not whom I was expecting, since Dad’s pretty much been nonstop lately due to the Combine week coming up. Maybe he got Mom to call on his behalf since I haven’t responded yet. Although, he knows I’m working.
“Interesting,” I say.
“That you’re taking calls while you’re on the job?”
“Oh, fuck.” I quickly tuck my phone back in my pocket.
“I’m only giving you hell, man. You think I never pulled that stuff on the job? Just don’t do it while you’re messing with shit.”
“Thanks, Troy. I appreciate your not reporting this back to the frat.” Troy laughs, but I have this tension in my gut. “Ugh. Dad’s so excited about next week.”
“It’s exciting,” Troy insists. “This is what you’ve been doing all this for, right?”
It should be. I’ve been incredibly fortunate when it comes to football.
But it’s been more than that. Since I was a kid, Dad and I have been a team, building me up, training constantly, working with the right trainers for this moment to happen. Now here it is, and…this is not how I thought I’d feel.
Troy must sense my hesitation because he says, “Ry?”
I scratch the back of my neck.
He stops what he’s doing and folds his arms. “Okay. I’ve noticed you get like this whenever I talk about the draft lately. What’s up?”
I hesitate. It’s not something I’ve talked to anyone about, but Troy has experience with all this. From what I’ve heard through guys on the team, he was a sure pick for a few colleges before his injury in high school.
“Maybe I’m just getting in my head too much, but…kind of having second thoughts about pro.”
“Really?”
“That was always the dream, and Dad threw his life into prepping me for it. Always supporting me a thousand percent. All hands on deck. But as much fun as it’s been playing for Peach State, I’m wondering if maybe I’ve done it and there are other parts of my life I want to explore.”
“I hear that. It was different for me since I was forced to step back from it, but I was on the same track. And life had other plans for me, I guess. Just know, if you’re wondering if there is a life besides football, I can assure you, there definitely is.
And it can be really beautiful and a lot more chill. ”
“Chill sounds nice right now,” I blurt out.
For my entire college career, it’s been go-go-go, training and traveling for games.
When my life isn’t about winning and making “the dream” come true, I’ve been working toward my BS in exercise science or squeezing in fun with my fratbros.
Now…working with my agent, and Dad being all gung-ho about what my options’ll be, I’m not as excited about the idea as I once was.
Although, I’m scared to even say that out loud.
Like I’m betraying the kid who wanted that and my dad who gave so much so I could live this dream.
“Could be the stress of next week,” Troy says. “Just get through the Combine and then see how you feel. Maybe you’ll get your spark back once you see who wants to draft you.”
“You could be right. And that’s another thing that concerns me. Because on the other side of it, there’s a chance I make a huge fuckup and wreck my life.”
“Eh, knowing you, you’ll probably fuck it up either way.”
As I laugh, Troy pats my arm. “If you ever want to talk about it more, I’m here, man.”
Given that I’ve been struggling with this on my own, it’s nice that Troy’s willing to hear me out.
I finish the rest of my shift, then head to the break room. I figure Mom and Dad are in the middle of dinner, so I call Mom since she’s always more likely to have her phone nearby.
“Hey, Ma. What’s up?”
“Oh, hey, sweetie.” I hear what sounds like a crowd in the background, which throws me.
“Did you guys go out to eat?” I ask, surprised since I can’t remember the last time they went to a restaurant.
“Oh, with who? Your dad?”
“Who else would it be with?”
She laughs. “No one. I’m having cocktails with friends.”
“Well, I can just call him. He’s overdue for a chat. He home?”
“Um…” She hesitates in a way that, again, throws me. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Everything okay?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“You called me, and now you’re out with friends and don’t know where Dad is.”
“I just—I’m sorry, I can’t really think straight. It’s been a week. I wanted to catch up with you a little. I know you must be excited about next week. But now’s not a great time. Let’s try and make something happen before your flight, though.”
I grit my teeth. Troy’s probably right. It’s only nerves. This is what I’ve wanted most of my life. I can’t fuck this up now. “Of course,” I tell Mom, then exchange I-love-yous before hanging up.
I’m surprised Mom was out. She’s usually working or at home with Dad. And both are more likely to stay home than go out, so it’s nice she’s getting to spend time with friends.
I consider calling Dad, but I don’t really want to hear the “Hey, champ,” and asking me about my workouts this week. Besides, I’ll see him plenty next week.
Tonight, I just want to head back to the house, do my homework, and get to bed without causing any controversy that might get me in trouble with Marty.