16. Grady
GRADY
The sun is out today, promising a warm spring. Damn, bring it the fuck on. I’m not opposed to winter when the snow’s all pretty and shit, but I am definitely a summer man. I like heat and sun.
And I’m so over the rain.
This has been the first fine day we’ve had in over a week.
Everything is still wet, recovering after the constant deluge.
It has worked in my favor, though. Thanks to the saturated field, Coach Jones has switched things around.
Rather than having to be back early for spring training, he’s giving us an extra couple of days so the fields have a chance to dry out.
It does mean we’ll have to sacrifice the last weekend of our break, but I don’t mind.
It means the boys and I can go hiking for five days now. That’s gonna be awesome.
Squinting up at the partially cloudy sky, I let the sunbeams soak into my skin and rejuvenate me after what has got to be one of the most boring lectures ever.
Professor Cho talks in monotone. I don’t know how the fuck he got to where he is in the school.
I guess it’s his smarts, because dynamic he is most definitely not.
“Hey.” Tyrell catches my attention, raising his chin as he jogs toward me and falls into step.
Our next class is together, and we wander toward the engineering building.
Although he’s a senior and I’m a junior, he’s catching up on a class he missed last year, and I’m not complaining.
I love studying with the guy. He and I vibe on a lot of the same shit, and he’s the best study partner in the house.
“’Sup, man?” I ask him.
“Nothin’ new.” He glances past me at a huddle of giggling freshmen. They wander past, two of them eyeing us up, then blushing fiercely.
I share a quick glance with my buddy and shake my head.
He snickers.
We both know this is the closest we’ll probably ever come to celebrity status.
Tyrell’s not planning on going pro. I’m not sure why. He says it’s because he’s not good enough, but I think it’s because he’s not that interested in the pro lifestyle.
Me? I think I’m in the same boat as him. I’ve had plenty of agents calling me, but so far, I’ve stood my ground and told them I’m not interested.
I love playing football, but I’m smart enough to know that the NFL takes a select few, and even if you do get selected, it doesn’t take much for your career to go belly-up. One injury and it could be over.
I want something more stable. Which is why I’m studying computer engineering. My chances of getting a decent job after college are that much higher in an area like that.
And besides, if I pursued football, it would take over my life. I want to be able to split my focus between career and the outdoors. I want weekends to go hiking. I don’t need the fame and glory of being a pro athlete. Give me a forest and a waterfall any day.
“You pumped for spring break?” Tyrell nudges me with his elbow. “Hiking in the forest with Bear Grylls himself. It’s gonna be awesome.” My buddy laughs, and I shake my head.
“I’m not Bear Grylls, man. But I am stoked that we’re getting to extend the trip by two days.”
“You’re the closest thing I’m ever gonna come to meeting the guy. You’re like Black Bear.”
I laugh. “Shut up, man.”
“I’m serious. Last time we went into the forest, and you caught that fish with your bare hands, then built that fire and cooked it for us… City Boy here was impressed, okay?” He taps his chest. “I’m expecting more of that shit over spring break. You feel me?”
With a soft snicker, I murmur, “I’ll try to deliver, man. Hey, did I tell you my dad can’t make it anymore?”
“Really?” Tyrell’s face drops. “Brah, I love that guy. Why can’t he make it?”
“He and his girlfriend are finally moving in together, and it’s the only time they’re free to make the shift.” Pride flares through me as I think about my ol’ man and how much my friends all like him.
It’s understandable. He’s a good man.
And it does suck that he can’t come, but…
“I’m looking forward to just getting away from everything. Having some guy time, you know? We don’t really get that anymore.”
“Tell me about it,” Tyrell grumbles, bulging his eyes at me, then quickly wincing and shaking his head. “Sorry. I shouldn’t complain. I love Sienna and Zoey. Nylah’s pretty cool, and Satch seems like a sweetheart. But damn, they’re all pairing off and leaving us in the dust.”
“I was paired off.” I frown. “But not anymore.”
Teah floats through my mind, followed swiftly by flashes of Blake, which is a total mindfuck. I shake my head, trying to get her out of there. She hasn’t looked at me once since she yelled in my face, and that’s fine by me. I seriously do not need that kind of drama.
“Sorry, brah.” Tyrell gives me another nudge. “I know that sucks for you. Heard she’s hooking up with that Macalister guy. Must burn pretty bad.”
“Yeah, man.” I nod, then let out a derisive snort. “Women, right?”
Tyrell doesn’t answer right away, and I glance up at him.
He’s nearly half a head taller than me. I’m the shortest guy in the house, and it used to bug the shit out of me, but I’m over it now.
Carson’s only got a quarter inch on me, and Zander’s not far off that.
But Tyrell and Wily are the giants of the group.
I used to avoid standing next to them, but it is what it is.
So, I stare up at my friend, waiting for him to agree with me. Tell me that women are a pain in the ass, and we should be grateful not to have to deal with them.
But he doesn’t say shit.
I frown at him when he glances at me, then looks away with a tut. “I know. I should avoid the drama, right?”
“But…” I keep going for him .
He sighs. “But… just between you and me?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Kind of wish I had someone.” He makes a clicking noise with his tongue.
“I’m watching all these guys pair off, and I’m like…
damn, I want me a woman. Just someone who’s on my side, you know?
Someone to wake up with. Someone to make out with.
Someone to share inside jokes and shit… I don’t know.
” He shakes his head with a little huff.
I clear my throat, wishing I had something to say, but my tongue’s stopped working.
Because I know exactly what he’s saying. And I miss it. I don’t want to admit that, but shit… I really miss it. I thought it was just Teah I missed, but it’s more than that. I miss having a partner. A person who’s just for me.
“I’ve been trying to put myself out there a bit, because I know that’s what you’re about to say.
Can’t meet nobody hanging out at Football Frat all the time.
But… I can’t seem to meet one I really want, you know?
” Tyrell looks down the pathway as we slowly veer left.
“After a date or two, I’m not feeling it.
I don’t want to lead them on, so I break it off. ”
“Maybe you need to give it more than just a date or two. It can take time to get to know someone. Fall for them.”
“Nah, man. I want that cosmic chemistry thing. You know…” He taps his chest. “When you just know. If I ain’t feeling that after a date or two, then it can’t be the real deal.”
I shrug, not sure I agree with him. It can’t all be instant. Sometimes love grows slowly .
And other times your attraction takes you out at the knees.
Blake flashes through my head again, and I wonder if that’s what Tyrell means. But it can’t be, because I’m not in love with Blake. She’s a pain in the ass! She might be a gorgeous pain in the ass, but I will not be falling for a girl like her. She’s nothing but trouble, and I don’t need that shit.
Nah, I want me another Teah.
Do you? Really? A nice boring relationship?
I was the boring one. Not her.
She never wanted to do any of the same things you did.
The thought hits me like a sledgehammer, and my insides rebel against it. Teah and I were great together. We lasted for ten whole months. That’s not some bullshit thing—that was real. I loved her. I still love her.
Why?
My expression bunches into a frown as I wrestle for a swift answer. My thoughts should be flowing like honey as I list all the things I love about that strawberry blonde beauty, but my brain is fritzing out on me.
“Brah, you good?” Tyrell grabs my attention, and I quickly come up with an answer so I don’t have to analyze my internal meltdown with him.
“Maybe you should sign up for one of those comprehensive dating apps. Not Tinder or anything, but one of those really in-depth ones, you know? Where you answer a bunch of questions and they find you your perfect match?”
I’m being serious, and it takes him a second to figure that out. At first, he laughs like I’m ridiculous. Then he suddenly stops and frowns down at me. “You for real? ”
“Yeah, man. You should try it. I can help you sign up.”
He cringes, shaking his head. “I don’t know. I kinda hate that idea.”
A weird-sounding snicker pops out of me, and I have to admit, “Me too.”
Shaking his head, Tyrell shoves his hands into his jacket pockets. “I just want to meet someone naturally, you know?”
“Yeah, definitely.” I scuff the concrete as I walk, then glance up at my buddy. “Although, that ain’t gonna happen unless you go out to social places, you feel me?”
“Shit.” Tyrell mutters some more, then looks up to the sky, squeezing his eyes shut. “God, help a brother out. Just make her magically appear in front of me.” His eyes pop open and he scans the grass either side of the engineering building…
And there’s not one chick in sight.
I have no idea how this is happening, but it’s only guys: a group kicking a soccer ball around, another guy rushing up the building steps, and three more coming around the corner.
A girl’s gonna come along any second now, I’m sure of it, but the fact that none were around when Tyrell opened his eyes is fucking hilarious.
I can’t help it. I crack up laughing as Tyrell flicks up his hands and mutters, “What the fuck?”
Lightly shoving me for still laughing, he then ends up snickering along with me.
“I am doomed, brah. Fuckin’ doomed.”
“No, you’re not,” I say, trying to make him feel better, but how the hell would I know ?
I’m not exactly the guy to talk to about romance anymore.
I’m just as single as he is.
Part of me wants to tell him to just embrace it. Being single is a damn sight easier than trying to keep a woman happy.
But I know that won’t fly.
He hasn’t had a girlfriend since moving here. He’s dated and shit, but nothing serious.
And he’s obviously ready for it.
But he’s not gonna find it if he keeps going the way he is. I mean, sure, he’ll attend parties at Football Frat and do some flirting in class, but he hardly ever comes to Offside with us. The guy’s not exactly a socialite.
Maybe he just needs a little nudge.
“Hey, man, do you want to hit up Offside tonight? We could—” My phone starts ringing and I check my watch to see who it is, my eyebrows dipping when Blake’s name appears.
Aw, shit. What does she want now?
I’m pretty sure she’s not calling to apologize. The fact that she’s iced me out completely speaks volumes.
So why is she calling, then?
She’s in trouble.
The thought sends a chill right through me.
“You gonna get that?” Tyrell pauses at the bottom of the steps.
“Ah… yeah. I probably should.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I reluctantly swipe my thumb over the screen. “I’ll see you in there.”
Tyrell nods and heads into the building while I walk away from the stairs and force a genial tone. “Hey, Blake. What’s up?”
She doesn’t say anything, and now I’m wondering if this is a butt dial situation.
I’m kind of relieved to be honest. I don’t want to have to deal with any more of her shit.
But then she sniffs.
And I know that sound. It’s an “I’m fighting tears” kinda sniff.
Aw, shit.
I close my eyes. “Blake? You okay?”
She sniffs again, her voice wobbling when she finally speaks. “I need your help.”
“Okay.” Worry spikes through me, and I pick up my pace. I don’t even know where I’m going, but I’m breaking into a jog. “Where are you?”
She sucks in a shaky breath, then lets it out in a rush. “I’m at a bottle shop in town… and they’re threatening to call the cops unless someone comes down here to collect me.”
My steps falter, and I jolt to a stop on the grass. “What? Why?”
“Can you just come get me? Please.” She whimpers, and the sound does me in.
The sensible part of me wants to tell her to hang the fuck up and call her brother . Isn’t he the one who’s supposed to be saving her?
She called you, man. So get going.
Holding in my sigh, I squash down the myriad emotions battling for top position in my chest and start running again .
“Which bottle shop is it?”
There’s a pause and I hear a muffled, gruff voice in the background, then Blake’s shaky reply. “Liquor King. It’s on Maple.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I promise her.