Page 13 of Breaking Free

Once I parkin front of Nicola’s, I quickly get out and dart for the door, leaving Dominic behind me. I’d like to say the ride was quiet, but he talked almost the entire time. He didn’t say anything important, just enough to annoy me.

I spot our group in the far corner in the oversized booth, everyone already eating. “Hey,” I greet, pushing into the booth next to Jayden. “I’m starving.”

“Y’all come together?” he asks quietly, eyes focused on Dominic who’s approaching the table.

I sigh, snatching a piece of meat-lovers from the wooden pizza plate. “Don’t ask,” I say with a growl.

Jayden chuckles. “Hey, man,” he says, greeting the insufferable Dominic. “Glad you could make it.”

“I’m not gonna turn down pizza,” he says, his eyes scanning the area for a place to sit.

Leo, one of our tight ends, grabs the plastic cup and slurps down the rest of his drink through the straw before saying, “I’m leaving. You can have my spot. Gotta meet up with my girl.”

Me and Jayden have to stand up to let him out, and when we take our seats, I realize we have to slide over to the right, giving Dominic the spot to my left.

He plops down next to me, his thigh pushing against mine.

“So, what’s up with you?” Jayden asks.

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“What’s your story?” When Dominic stays quiet, Jayden puts his pizza down and grins. “So, for me, my story is that I moved here three years ago. I’m from Illinois, but South River offered me more when it came to athletics. Not only do I play football, but I’m on the wrestling team. I’m in a frat—K. A. P. You know, shit like that.”

Dominic chuckles. “Ah. Well, I don’t play any other sports, and I’m from here. Went to school up at Grand Valley before transferring.”

“Boo! Fucking Hornets,” Tim, our kicker, teases.

“Rival teams. How do you feel playing for the Wildcats now?” Jay asks.

He shrugs. “Feel like I’m gonna win.”

The table erupts into cheers, annoying everyone in the restaurant for the next thirty seconds.

“I like you already, man,” Shea says, holding his cup up to him.

I scoff under my breath and focus on my food, but of course Dominic hears me and knocks his knee into mine.

“What’s your story, Trevor?” Dominic asks, enunciating my name.

I angle my head over my shoulder and glare at him before I remember people are watching. “Not much. From here, go to school here, play football.”

Jayden hits me in the arm. “Come on, man. That’s not it. He also throws the best parties. Well, besides the one my frat throws. Though you may find him drunk and making out with multiple chicks, but what’s new in college?”

My eyes slide over to Dominic’s face and I can’t help but notice how his brows are reaching for his hairline as he stares at me. “Oh yeah? Making out with multiple girls at parties, huh? You don’t seem the type.”

Some of the guys laugh, but I grind my teeth, biting back my response.

“Don’t worry, even if Campbell takes three girls for himself, the women always seem to outnumber us,” Shea says.

Dominic raises his head and meets Shea’s gaze. “Well, I’m gay, so that doesn’t help me out at all.”

The guys go quiet, maybe wondering if he’s joking or not, but when he just takes a slice of pizza and bites a chunk out of it, Jayden chuckles.

“These guys are cool, don’t worry,” Jay says. “I’m bi and there’s never been any major problems with most of the team.”

“Major and most,” Dominic says with a snort. “Sounds about right.”

“There’s always assholes,” Jay says.

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