Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

RIO

The books BooBoo lent me are in my lap, one on top of the other. I keep reading the words on the page over and over again. Maybe if I focus hard enough, I'll be able to interpret the dream.

What am I possibly afraid of or trying to avoid?

I fish out the quartz from my pocket, flipping it around in my hand a few times as I try to figure out the answer.

A chorus of laughter from the front of the bus pulls my attention from the words that I've almost memorized already.

As I lean my head into the aisle, I see Sasha telling a story in his vibrant personality filled way. His hands are flying around as he speaks, and the people around him are doubled over as they listen to whatever the man has to say.

"That Sasha guy seems like a good time," BooBoo notes as he lifts himself to peek over the seat in front of him to see what everyone is cackling about.

"He loves being the center of attention, that's for sure," I respond, then return my focus to the book.

"How long have you known him?" my friend asks, and I blow out a breath through my nose before giving him my attention again.

Maybe a small break from my reading will be good anyway. It's not like I've had any epiphanies in the last forty-five minutes of studying the words.

"I met Sasha like two years ago when Chase started dating Gabriel who is one of Sasha's best friends," I tell him. "He kind of just stuck around even after Chase left. Sasha is one of those guys that as soon as you let him in, he never leaves."

BooBoo chuckles while shaking his head. "He doesn't seem like a bad guy, so it could be worse," he states. I still can't believe you're best friends with Chase Anderson," he adds like he does every time I bring up Chase.

"He's just a regular guy," I remind him for probably the hundredth time.

"He is not a regular guy," BooBoo retorts. "He's a legend in the making. He's already breaking NFL records, and he's only just starting his second year with the Michigan Raptors."

I shrug. I get why he's a little starstruck. Chase is incredibly talented. But he's also a genuine guy, and sometimes it's easy to forget that he's an NFL superstar now.

Another roar of laughter flutters down from the front of the bus, and suddenly, I wish I was sitting closer to Sasha to hear what he's talking about.

"Hopefully, he brings that personality to the game tonight. Maybe he'll even get the opposing fans cheering for us," BooBoo says, nudging his elbow into my arm.

I chuckle and shake my head. Honestly, I could see Sasha doing just that. As annoying as he was when I first met him, he has a way of worming into your heart and staying there like a parasite. At first, I wanted to do everything in my power to get him away from me, but I learned very quickly that you don't just get rid of Sasha. At least, that was my experience. Not that I'll tell him that.

There are a lot of GSU fans in the stands tonight. My eyes sweep to the crowd as we make our way onto the pitch, and I notice half of them are dressed in green.

Sasha, dressed in the Kerrington costume, lifts his arms, and the cheerleaders on either side of him shake their pompoms as they get the crowd going. The fans yell and cheer us on, and it brings a huge smile to my face.

Away games can be a bit nerve wracking when the majority of the people in the stands are hoping that you lose, but tonight, it's a good fifty-fifty split, which helps to ease the stress.

"Let's kick some ass," BooBoo shouts as we get into position.

My focus narrows to the here and now, tuning out the fans and everything outside of the pitch. All that matters at this moment are my teammates, the opposing players, and, most importantly, the ball.

I take a deep inhale of the cool air as I wait for the ball to get in motion. My heart beats steadily in my chest and a confident grin spreads across my face as I stare down the team we're playing.