Chapter 12
Theodore Knight
Austin Jace:
THEO! I WON BEER PONG! This is officially the best day of my life.
Zander Morris:
Austin is severely drunk. I worry for his body when Coach gets hold of him.
Theodore Knight:
Julian, you were supposed to watch him. Coach Morgan is going to murder him.
Julian Nunez:
Fuck off. It’s not my fault Jace is still a child in all aspects of his life. Where did you even disappear to? Did you hook up with Kierra again?
Theodore Knight:
Nope. That’s over, I was helping a friend. She wanted to leave the party.
I close my phone, avoiding the text messages that will inevitably follow. Once again, commentary regarding my playboy lifestyle, I’m starting to believe I should sustain abstinence, which will be incredibly hard, but it’s doable. I went sixteen years without sex, six months will be nothing.
I park my car in the underground lot. Colton’s car was here, so I’m assuming Austin has passed out on the living room couch, as he wouldn’t have made it up the stairs. This isn’t my first instance with a drunk Austin Jace. The worst was when Athena wanted to take a break from their arrangement. He whined like a puppy then proceeded to get black out drunk and beg her to take him back.
Clearly, it worked.
Darkness consumes the apartment as I wander into the kitchen. The refrigerator light illuminates the room while I search for any leftover food. I ate dinner before the party but that was at least four hours ago. I’m a growing boy, okay.
“And the mystery man reappears,” Colton drawls.
I raise my eyebrows. “What?”
“Who did you leave the party with? ”
“It wasn’t like that.”
I contemplate telling Colton about Jazmine. I don’t want to tell a story that’s not mine, so I keep it simple.
“Jazmine wanted to go home. She wasn’t feeling well, so I drove her.”
“Jazmine Allen? As in the Jazmine Allen that extremely dislikes you,”
“I don’t know anyone else by that name,”
Colt shakes his head. “How long will your relentless pursuit of this girl last?”
In the past, I would have been content once she was naked and squirming underneath me. But after tonight, seeing a different side of Jazmine brought out feelings I’ve denied myself since my mother passed away. Vivian Knight was my favourite person and a hopeless romantic, so I pushed away any feelings beyond lust for women.
Enter Jazmine fucking Allen.
“I’m just trying to help,” It’s a lie. Not only to Colton but to myself.
“I know Theo. That’s why when I say you need to be careful. I haven’t seen you like this. Ever.”
He and Austin don't know the complete story about my mum and dad but they know enough to leave the subject alone.
I swallow the bitter lies on the tip of my tongue. “I’ll be fine.”
I wash the dirty plates in the kitchen sink and head for the comfort of my bed. The first game of the season is tomorrow and it’s my first time playing as captain. Nerves have a hold of me, striking my stomach until only butterflies exist. I’ve stacked my duffel bag next to the door and I have double-checked my alarms.
My lips turn up when my phone dings with a new message.
Unknown Number:
Hey Theodore, it’s Jazmine. I just wanted to say thank you for tonight. I know you probably had better things to do.
The smile never leaves my face as I store Jaz's number in my phone.
Theodore Knight:
No problem, Princess. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.
Princess:
I’m rolling my eyes right now. Do you ever stop flirting?
Theodore Knight:
For you, no. I’m glad you messaged me. Does this mean you’ll call me too?
Princess:
Don’t push it.
This girl is going to be the death of me. Or my saviour. I don’t mind either option.
***
Making the bed is nearly impossible with my shaky hands .
My dad’s voice is rampant, clanging against my skull. Having an overbearing father hasn’t helped my pre-game anxiety, which consists of nausea and the fear of failure. The only person who seemed to calm my nerves was my mum. Whether it was her comforting words and inability to be disappointed despite my performance.
I grab my phone and headphones, swing my bag over my shoulder and lock my apartment. The car is already running, courtesy of Austin, who is hunched over in the passenger seat with sunglasses covering his eyes. It’s hilarious. I mean the sun is barely above the horizon.
Coach Morgan is going to have a field day with him.
I slide into the driver's side, chuckling as Austin’s groans consume the car.
“I’m never drinking again.”
“I think I’ve heard you say that after every night out,”
Austin presses his hands against the side of his head. “This time, I mean it,”
I stifle a laugh. He definitely doesn’t.
Our first game of the season is away, meaning an early morning and a late night. We are travelling to Utah, which is a long trip, but the team is bubbling with a combination of excitement and nerves.
Lakewood are the defending champions so the other teams are out to get us. And as the newly appointed captain and starting quarterback, I don’t want to let anyone down.
Austin and I approach the coaches with our teammates filling the bus. The assistant coach, Megan Dawson, checks to ensure all the equipment is loaded and secure. This is her first season with us after Coach Stone retired last season.
She played football until the end of college as there wasn’t a path for her to play professionally. Ever since, she has dedicated time to building junior leagues for girls, starting in her hometown.
Everyone finds her hilarious, especially when she teases Coach Morgan behind his back. It’s our inside joke.
“Last ones here,” she says.
“Sorry. Austin is severely hungover,”
Coach Dawson laughs, a mischievous grin tugging at her mouth. “How much do you want to bet that Morgan punishes him?”
“I think I would lose that bet,”
Anxiety doesn’t mix well with large moving vehicles, so I sit in the front of the bus. Plus, it’s the best seat in the house for what is about to come.
“Jace!” Coach booms. “Why the hell are you wearing sunglasses?”
“Jesus, can you tone it down a bit?” Austin says before his eyes widen and he realises who he is talking to. “I mean…Your personality is too bright for me?”
The team burst into laughter as we watched from inside the bus.
Coach glares at him. “Get on the bus,”
“Yes, sir.”
Luckily for Austin, Owen Morgan is a big softie at heart. Don’t tell him that to his face, though; he will eat you alive. Many guys on the team look up to him. I know Jace won’t admit it, but our coach was his idol growing up. Based on the interactions I see between Coach Morgan and Austin, I think our coach sees a lot of himself in Jace, so he has a fondness for him.
The closer we arrive at the stadium in Utah, the team’s energy levels increase tenfold. The stadium is a sea of gold and black, with the stands filled with local college students. I grin as I complete the drills on the football field. Don’t get me wrong, I love home games but being the away side is motivating. Seeing the looks on the opposing teams face and forcing the crowd into silence is the best feeling.
The warmups conclude, leaving all of us offensive players to talk strategy, planning different plays we have been working on in practice over the past month. Although Austin behaves like a kid on a sugar high, he is highly dedicated and has the best football brain. Our living room has become the place for drawing and discussing any play that appears in our heads.
The Utah Stars walk onto the field from the opposite side while I take in the profiles of the players assuming their positions. Their defensive line isn’t the best in our division, but the guys are massive, so they have size as an advantage. For us, speed and agility are our strengths. If we can execute during the game, we are on the way to victory.
The game is fast-paced and intense, while the energy in the stadium has slowly built throughout the game. We are in the final quarter, ahead by only one touchdown. Austin and I exchange a knowing look before calling out to Logan Taylor, our wide receiver. The three of us have studied the playbook continuously over the past week, so we all know what the final play will be.
I take my position behind the huddle and scream our play. Julian snaps the ball back to me, while my other teammates provide protection. Logan acts as the decoy, opening up Austin in the end zone. I throw the ball and it leaves my hand in a spiralling motion.
With no control over the outcome, my gut tightens. My gaze never strays from my tight end, who is speeding towards the ball. I pump my fists when Jace catches it, scoring a touchdown to win us the game. The rest of the team rushes towards him, celebrating the first win of the season.
The bus ride home passes by quickly, which is usually the case after a win. Even Coach Morgan has banished the scowl from his face. The sky is pitch black when the bus pulls into campus.
Everyone shuffles off with tired and heavy bodies. I will be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Austin and I leave our teammates behind, driving back to our apartment. Every step pulls a new muscle I didn’t know existed. Rest cannot come sooner.
Without a care in the world, Austin and I ditch our bags in the living room. After long road trips like this, the only thing I long for is to melt into my mattress and recover. I shred my game day suit, changing into long pyjama bottoms. My eyes are flickering rapidly as I climb into bed and place my phone on the charge .
My ringtone echoes off the walls, my dad’s contact taking over the screen. Fuck me dead. The urge to rip my hair from my scalp grows as the sound continues.
Dad would know how late it is for me but apparently, he doesn’t give a shit. He wants to provide feedback—no criticism, on my performance. It’s like my dad’s goal in life is to unravel every play like a loose thread.
I slam my finger against the red button. I don’t have the energy to answer his call. Matthew Knight can find some patience. I’m prioritising myself.