Chapter Six
Todd
My thoughts drift back to the previous night while I wait for Taylor to finish talking with Chase. From the moment she walked into my room to when she fell asleep in my arms, every second, every minute, every detail is etched in my mind.
The problem is, so is the morning. I had no idea how she would react to my morning wood, but I definitely didn’t expect her to run away. I press my palms into my eyes, not wanting to consider what it means for any romance developing between us.
I turn back to my lunch as a yawn escapes me.
“That’s why you shouldn’t wake up at the butt crack of dawn,” Taylor says as she slips back into the seat next to me.
“First off, six a.m. is not the butt crack of dawn.” I crack open my cola. “Second, I’m not even tired.”
Her eyes twinkle. “Todd, I could see down your throat with how big that yawn was just now.”
“Really? See anything interesting?” I ask, opening my mouth to show her again.
She laughs, taking a bite of her sandwich. “Ew, seriously? I’m trying to eat here.”
I pluck a chip off her tray. “Don’t mind if I do.”
She swats my hand away. “You promised not to touch my food.”
Just then, Adam approaches, taking the empty chair next to Taylor, and it’s as if someone has stabbed me in the chest.
I shake my head. What’s the deal with this unnecessary jealousy? All they’re doing is talking about the upcoming baseball season.
“Bro.” Adam waves his hand to get my attention. “I noticed you’re not playing in the Harvesters game on the ninth. What gives?”
“I’m going out of town,” I reply with a shrug, hoping he’ll drop it, but Taylor doesn’t take the hint.
Her head falls to the side. “Wait . . . isn’t that the weekend we’re visiting Chase?”
Adam grins deviously. “So you’re ditching?”
“We’re allowed one excused absence, and my fate is already set in stone—my agent’s told the NBA I’m interested in the draft, so let Brian get the playing time,” I say, referring to the sophomore who’s my backup.
“We should just forfeit now.” Adam shakes his head, standing. “But, hey, have fun wherever you’re going.”
“You don’t have to go with me, you know,” Taylor says as he walks away. “I can go alone or we can postpone until after basketball season.”
“But by then it’ll be baseball season, and you’ll be the one missing a game.”
She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “If you’re sure . . .”
“Positive,” I say with a nod, leaving no room for argument because I’m looking forward to our weekend together just as much as she is, if not more.
Basketball practice wears me out. Coach is pushing us hard in preparation for our game against our rivals this weekend. As tough as it is, though, we still take the time to fool around in the locker room, and I’m joining in until Jacob, the point guard, yells from across the room.
“Yo, Todd! What’s this I hear about you missing the Harvesters game?”
“Damn you, Adam,” I mutter under my breath as the locker room erupts in surprise and speculation. “I’m going out of town.”
“That’s not what I heard.”
I’m stuffing my things into my duffel bag when his taunt cuts through me. Leaving it where it is, I confront him at his locker. “So then tell me what you did hear, exactly.”
Jacob walks toward me in his basketball shorts. “That you and Taylor are going away for the long weekend.” He looks at Adam, who’s sitting on a nearby bench, and they snicker.
“Then your information is correct; Taylor and I are visiting Chase. Remember him? Taylor’s brother?”
Adam looks up from tying his shoe. “Honestly, I’m surprised you waited this long.”
My heart lodges itself in my throat. “Waited for what?”
“To hook up with Taylor.”
I blink rapidly, feigning ignorance even though the thought has crossed my mind countless times over the past few months.
“I told you he doesn’t have the balls.” Jacob nudges Adam. “And even if he did, she’d be faking it one minute in.”
I don’t know what comes over me, but the next thing I know, I’m shoving him into a locker.
“What, Todd?” Jacob asks, smirking. “Did I hurt your feelings?”
I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. “I just don’t see how it’s any of your business.”
“Samantha thought it was my business when I did what you couldn’t last night.”
Composure forgotten, I push him again; he knocks me back, and our teammates gather around to watch us fight.
“What’s going on here?” a booming voice bellows from behind me.
“Nothing, Coach, just a misunderstanding,” Adam replies as I let Jacob go.
“Misunderstand somewhere else! Get out of my locker room—now!”
The command clears the room instantly, sending us scattering across the parking lot and to our cars.
I breathe deeply when I get behind the wheel, relieved that Coach broke up the fight. I’m not usually the type to lose my temper, but Jacob just knows how to get under my skin.
Even though we’ve been teammates most of our lives, I’ve never considered him a friend.
It’s always been a competition over who is better at basketball—a rivalry that’s worsened since being named captain instead of him.
That must be why he’s pursuing Samantha now; he thinks he’s finally found a way to one-up me.
The thing is, I couldn’t care less who Samantha fucks. It isn’t that we had a bad breakup; it’s just that I’m over her and have been for a while.
But Jacob still hit a nerve, because what if it’s true? What if Samantha did fake it when we were together?
She’s only the second woman I’ve slept with—if I can even count the fumbling around I did in high school as sex.
The drive back home passes in a blur with these thoughts running through my mind. I text my other best friend—who’s a guy—to get his opinion as I wait for the elevator, but doubt I’ll get a quick reply.
I sigh as I open the apartment door; I need more guy friends. My closest friend at MSU is Taylor, and I can’t ask her . . .
Can I?