36. Corey

“Drop those hips,” I call to Copeland, a freshman that I’ve had my eye on for the past couple of weeks. He’s dedicated and hard-working, and he doesn’t let his confidence prevent him from implementing advice and improving. “Watch Payne,” I instruct, prompting Nolan.

We all watch as Nolan runs through the drill with his hips lowered and faultless footwork before he explodes, sprinting to where I toss the tennis ball.

Nolan doesn’t gloat or dance like the cocky son of a bitch we all know him to be, but as Palmer claps a hand to his shoulder, he finally cracks a smile.

It’s been five days since Fallon and I finally got on the same damn page, and in the time between practices, classes, sanding and painting the basement, and installing light fixtures, she and I are finding every spare second to be together. It feels like we’re stealing time, and though we haven’t even kissed, there are definite changes in our relationship. I don’t think twice about pulling her into my lap when she’s working on her laptop or wrapping my arms around her while watching movies, and before I walk her back to her dorm every night, we linger in mine, embracing as we discuss our schedules and plans for the following day.

It hasn’t been nearly enough time, but tomorrow, we’re heading to Camp, and I’m hoping to convince Fallon to stay with us rather than one of the rental houses that the guys from our team are renting, along with the men’s and women’s soccer teams. A mutual truce has been formed between our teams. I went with Hudson to ensure it.

“Again!” I yell, handing Grey the bucket of tennis balls so I can run through the drill as well.

It’s hotter than hell this afternoon as we inch toward July. Still, we line up, prepared to do another set. Once it’s completed, we finish two more drills before taking a break with the rest of the offensive lineup.

“Hey, Captain. Are we taking a field trip?” Palmer asks, tossing his emptied water cup into the trash, eyes bright with insinuation.

Hudson’s gaze lands on me, and he grins. “Yes, we are. Let’s go! Line up!”

All fifty members of our offensive team jog off the field and outside of Bia Stadium. We’ve been doing this all week, sparked by Palmer’s insistence.

Traffic comes to a stop as we cross the road and run to the track where the women’s soccer team is conditioning.

I spot Fallon instantly. Her hair’s pulled back in two braids, and like always, she’s near the front of the team but never in the lead.

“Are you serious?” Becca yells, spotting us with a scowl. “Go back to your stadium, assholes.”

“We’ll stay out of your way,” Hudson assures her.

Fallon turns, her gaze sifting through the pack of us. When our gazes meet, she fights a smile as she continues running.

Becca calls a break, and the girls head to a cooler, pulling out towels soaked in iced water.

Fallon downs a sports drink, and I watch every damn drop go down her throat.

I’m pathetic, and I don’t give a single shit.

We stick to the outside of the field, and despite their claims to hate our team, several of the girls smile and wave at us as they prepare to run another four-hundred meters that Becca announces.

Grey threatens additional cardio to one of our players, and I’m guessing by my friend’s tight jaw, it’s a damn good thing I didn’t hear whatever was said to trigger the warning.

We run beside the women’s soccer team for the next forty minutes, and though I never actually get to be beside Fallon or talk to her, I still appreciate my asshole friends meddling and gifting me this time to be near her.

“Do you think she really believes you’re sick?” Mila asks.

Nolan shrugs. He’s been grinning like a lunatic for the past hour because Hadley’s on her way home from the airport with Katie.

We didn’t finish all the details of the remodel, and surprisingly, he cares the least. I’m pretty sure we could lose power and be under a tornado warning, and he wouldn’t give a shit.

“Hadley’s going to lose it,” Hannah says, looking around the finished basement again. “I’m so proud of us. This looks amazing.”

“We did good,” Mila echoes before turning to me. “Where’s Fallon? I thought you two had turned a page?”

“It’s her brother’s birthday,” I tell her. “She’s at a family dinner.”

The front door closes upstairs, and the conversation shifts from their eternal curiosity about Fallon and me as Palmer flips off the lights.

“Are we hiding?” Evelyn whispers.

“I don’t know,” Hannah hisses.

Footsteps stop, and the door to the basement leaks light down the stairs.

“She’s going to notice the stairs are new,” Mila whispers.

“Is he feeling well enough to go to the beach? We should probably stay here. I’d hate to get the others sick,” Hadley says from upstairs.

“You should go ask how he’s feeling,” Katie tells her.

“Wait…” Hesitation fills Hadley’s voice. “What’s going on?”

Mila shakes with silent laughter.

“You know you’ll never hear the end of it if you don’t go down there and check on him.”

“Katie, I know the smell of paint and new carpet. And the stairs… How are there new stairs? When did this happen? Was there an accident or…?”

“Maybe. I guess you’re going to have to go look,” Katie insists.

Their footsteps grow in volume as they descend the stairs. Katie flips on the lights as they reach the bottom step, and everyone pops up from where we’re squatting or hiding, yelling, “Surprise!”

Before I can catch Hadley’s reaction, Nolan sweeps her into his arms and buries his face in her neck.

“I think Nolan’s reaction was better,” Hannah says quietly.

“Definitely,” Mila admits, threading her arm through Grey’s. She leans into him, kissing his cheek.

I’ve learned a lot since moving here to Oleander Springs. The most important of those things have little to do with football, including my recent revelation that I want to be with Fallon. I want to be with her now, celebrating with her family, and I want her here celebrating with my family because that’s what these guys are to me.

“I can’t believe this,” Hadley says as she slowly pulls away from Nolan, wiping a tear from her cheek as she keeps both arms around him.

Nolan grins as he glances around at us. “I couldn’t have done this without you guys. Thank you.”

I nod as Palmer steps forward and slaps a hand on his shoulder. “Anytime.”

It’s past nine when Fallon arrives at my dorm, holding a paper plate with thick slices of vanilla confetti cake piled on top.

I pull her into a hug, our new customary exchange.

“How was the surprise?” she asks.

“Hadley was pretty shocked.”

Fallon grins. “I bet.”

I kiss her hairline. “Want something to drink with the cake?”

“This is all for you.” She hands me the plate. “I already had some.”

“How was the party?”

“Look at this.” She pulls out her phone, showing me a picture of the cake. “My mom ordered it over the phone, and they spelled Charlie’s name as ‘Barley’. It was painfully hilarious.” A smile stays on her lips as I grab a fork and bring it back to the couch to sit beside her.

“What time are you heading to the beach tomorrow?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” She scratches her forehead. “I’m trying to find the bright side of staying in a house with twenty people.”

“What if you stayed with me?” I take a bite of cake.

Fallon leans back, and the hint of something that borders hope has her gaze pinned on me. “Aren’t you staying in a house north of the group?”

I nod. “About forty minutes north.”

Her eyes narrow as she winces. “I wish I could. Really. But I can’t. I already told Kelly I’d room with her. Plus, she went on a date with Rafael last night, and I’m selfishly hoping she’s going to tell me she’s moved on, so it will be easier for me to tell her about you.”

I scoop up a bite of cake. “Do you know if Aiko and Pops are staying at the same house as you?”

Fallon shakes her head. “I don’t know who’s staying where.”

I run a hand through my hair, trying to ignore the unease that festers in my chest. I trust Pops and know he’d do me a favor and watch out for her. He earned his nickname by being one of the most responsible guys on the team, but that doesn’t lend to any sense of resolve that I might want to mutilate one of my own teammates if they hit on Fallon.

“What if Kelly wants time with Rafael?” I ask.

Fallon’s gaze dances from my mouth to my eyes. “Then I guess I’ll need to find another place to stay.”