Chapter 11

chapter eleven

Gavin

"She totally friend-zoned you, bro. I saw it." Huddy laughs at Remi as we walk into the fieldhouse. "I gotta give it to you, man. She's hot and so different from all the other girls around here. At least you tried."

Remi scowls at him, hanging his bag in his metal locker. "She used to date Collins. She's gotta be crazy, probably dodged a bullet with that one."

"Who are y'all even talking about?" I ask.

Huddy smiles, "Some hot blonde from History class this morning."

I shake my head, "You guys need to focus on football. Our first game is in four days."

Huddy laughs, "Yeah, Coach will have our asses if we get distracted. Plus, it's gonna take a miracle to run an offense with Collins."

Facts, but luckily I was on the other side of the ball because I don't know how anyone can put up with him.

Levi is holding a clipboard in his hand, walking up and down the sidelines like a boss, and it makes me smile. The coaches recruited Levi before me and were devastated when he couldn't play anymore. They gave him a full sideline pass, and while he won't admit it, I know that our offensive coordinator is using his help. It's almost like he can read minds. He walks around constantly looking up statistics and shit on that Ipad they gave him.

I like that he's on the field with me, even though he can't play. There's something comforting about it. Feels like home, even though it's not.

I don't typically go for change, and the fact that I've settled so well into this routine with the guys is actually quite impressive.

"You just gonna stand there all practice, zoned out into la la land?"

The words jerk me from my thoughts and I see Collins standing in front of me. That same smug ass look on his face that he always has, and I shove my helmet on then take the field.

The ball is snapped and I'm in the air intercepting the ball.

"What the fuck was that?" Collins yells as he throws his hands up. "That was pass interference!"

Coach shakes his head at him and joins me on the field.

It's excuse after excuse with him, and the truth is the team doesn't trust him. Sure, he's got a few guys that are falling in line like he wants, but overall, the team doesn't like his attitude.

"Gavin, can you jump on the other side of the ball?"

My brow instantly shoots up, "What?"

Coach offers me a pointed look that says don't argue , "Just run the route that Trey just did."

I glance to the sideline, where Levi stands with a smirk on his face, spinning a pen between his fingers. This is him, this is his idea.

I sigh at my brother, and line up. The ball is snapped and I run the route like instructed. Collins lobs the ball up and I beat my defender by a mile, running the ball in for a touchdown.

Coach meets me in the huddle and the look on his face scares me. "Run it again."

"What?" I ask, "No. I'm not a receiver. "

"Yeah," Collins agrees, "This is stupid."

I turn to face him, and Levi speaks up, shocking everyone. "Run the fucking play, do you want to win?"

"Ha," I fake laugh. "I don't know the plays. I don't play receiver."

Coach shoves a binder full of plays at me, and smiles, "Time to study."

Collins yanks his helmet off, and stomps to the sideline.

Touché, mother fucker. Touché.

When we get to the fieldhouse, Levi attempts to nonchalantly walk by.

I stop him, "What the fuck was that?"

He points at himself, as if to insinuate he's not sure if I'm talking to him.

"Cut the bullshit."

He shrugs, "We need you catching the ball to win."

"I don't play receiver, Levi."

He rolls his eyes, "No, you don't want to play receiver because you are afraid it's gonna hurt my feelings. News flash, Gav. I can't fucking play. I can't be a receiver ever again, and you are a great defensive back, but you could be greater with the goddamn ball in your hands."

He stalks off irritated and I grab the shit out of my locker.

I walk to my truck, and wait for Remi. We rode here together, and when he gets to the vehicle, he can sense my mood.

"It's not that bad, bro."

I slam the door, "It's annoying. How am I supposed to completely switch positions in four days?"

He shrugs, "I don't know. You wanna get drunk tonight?"

Football is already my entire life, now I am going to have to work harder. Try harder. It felt a little played out.

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?" Remi wiggles his brows playfully.

I sigh, "Fuck it. Let's go."

We pull into the parking lot at Voltage, and it's buzzing with people. It's trashy, definitely not the place I'd choose to spend my time, but with the day I've had, fuck it.

"Gavinnnn!!!" Trinity's high pitched squeal invades my ear drums the second I step out of my truck. "Never thought I'd see you here."

Remi snorts and I try my best not to be an ass, I've had a shit day and the last thing I want to do is deal with Trinity. Not tonight.

"He's having a shit day," Remi acknowledges. "Needs to get laid."

I shoot him a glare, "That's the last thing I need."

Trinity's smile falls, "Well, I'll see you around. Have fun tonight."

I half smile and watch as she walks away. I didn't want to hurt her feelings but I can't entertain anyone. I don't have the energy.

Within fifteen minutes, I'm ready to leave. Huddy is posted up on a chair in the corner with his tongue down some girl's throat while Remi and Levi are going over some football shit on the Ipad. Collins is staring into his phone ten feet away from me rambling on about his ex-girlfriend.

"She's pathetic," he laughs. "Followed me here and everything."

One of the guys sips his beer, looking at the picture on his phone. "Who cares, bro, she's fucking hot. I'd be hitting that on top of all the pussy you're getting now."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I don't need to start anything with this prick. He's not worth my time.

"I'm gonna head out, Rem. I'll catch you guys tomorrow."

Remi looks up at me over the rim of his black glasses, "You good to drive?"

Levi closes out the Ipad and stands up, "I'll drive you, I've only had one beer. I gotta get home and get some numbers over to Coach before he kicks me off the sidelines."

Remi nods, then heads over toward Huddy and the guys while Levi and I make our way through the crowd to the front door.

"Is everything okay?" he asks, pushing through the front door. "You look like shit."

I shake my head, "I'm fine."

I just want to go home.