Page 10 of Breaking Free

“Oh man, you should’ve seen how he was looking at Trev in the locker room, though,” Jay says with a laugh. “I think he’s sweet on Campbell here.”

“Oh?” Dex asks, eyebrows raised.

I shake my head and realize the group has been dismissed, so we start walking to the locker room. “I don’t think he was checking me out.”

“He seems like a good guy,” Dex says with a shrug. “Pretty good on the field, too.”

I try to keep my eyeroll to myself. I don’t want to look jealous. “He’s okay.”

Jay and Dex share a look and then laugh.

“I’m not jealous,” I say. “I just...I don’t know. He seems cocky.”

“Well, regardless of all that,” Jayden says. “When he comes on to you and you have to turn him down, send him my way, yeah? Because I can have a good time with him.”

“We don’t even know if he’s gay,” Dex says.

I do, but it’s not like I’m gonna say that.

“Y’all can keep talking about him all you want. I’m hittin’ the showers,” I say, jogging into the building.

* * *

I’m notable to get right into the shower like I want, because Coach has another little speech while we undress, and then he calls me into his office.

“Yeah, Coach?” I ask.

“I wanted to have a quick word with you.” He sits down behind his desk and moves some papers around, leaving me in suspense.

“Did I do something?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. As you know, Hernandez is new on the team.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

“I know y’all play the same position, but that doesn’t mean there has to be any animosity. He’s in a unique situation and it wasn’t his choice to come here. Well, it was, but it wasn’t.” He waves his hand. “Anyway, that’s beside the point. He doesn’t need to be shown around town or anything, but if he needs help around campus or something, give him a hand.”

“Coach, he’s grown. I’m sure he can figure it out himself.”

He pins me with a look. “Trevor, I asked you, because I know you’re a good guy. Look, the team is like a family, and he’s new. Just make him feel welcome. Sometimes people need support more than you know.”

I sigh, crossing my arms. Coach has never asked this of me before, so I’m assuming there’s a reason. Maybe he knows him. A friend of the family or something. Whatever the reason, it’s fucking weird, but what am I gonna say? No? He’s my coach and has the power to bench me if he wants. It’s not like he’ll know if I’m not helping him.

“Sure, Coach.”

“Thanks, now get out of here.”

I chuckle as I leave his office and head back to my locker. Most of the team is gone, some are already showered and getting dressed.

“Hey, man. Nicola’s Pizza. Meet us there,” Jay yells as he pops around the corner, heading out the door.

“All right.”

I grab my flip flops, shower bag, and a towel before heading to the showers, passing Jacob on the way in.

“You goin’ to Nicola’s?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m gonna shower real quick and head over.”

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