Page 8 of Breaking Free

I yank up my black football pants and turn my head to the right when I see someone round the corner. I have to do a double take when my eyes meet a familiar face.

What the fuck?

“What’s wrong?” Jayden asks from behind me. Apparently I didn’t just think those three words.

I don’t answer him, because my gaze is focused on the naked man from the bathroom at Grand Valley. He doesn’t look nearly as surprised to see me. Instead, he does a slow perusal of my naked torso and then grins.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

He strolls right up next to me and leans his hulking shoulder on the locker while studying me in a way that makes me break out in a sweat. “Well, hello, stranger.”

I clear my throat, my eyes shifting to Jayden who's watching us with confusion marring his face.

“Hey.” I go for nonchalance, reaching for my shirt. “I’m guessing you’re the transplant.”

He snorts. “I guess you could say that.”

Jayden stands up and gets between us. “I’m Jayden, or Jay. One of the receivers. And you are?”

The Greek god smiles. “Dominic. Or Dom. New running back.”

“Hernandez?” I blurt, remembering the guys from the party talking about him.

His dark eyes find mine, his mouth pulling up into an amused grin. “Heard about me?”

I scoff. “Hardly.”

“This is Trevor. Another running back.”

“Interesting,” Dominic says. “Trevor.” He says my name like he wants to know how it feels on his tongue, all the while, unabashedly checking me out.

I pull my pads on. “Better hurry up and change. We’re out on the field in five.”

“I was just with Coach. I’m sure he’ll give me a few extra minutes.”

I don’t respond, I just quickly get my cleats on and grab my jersey, walking away because I don’t want to be around when he starts undressing.

“Do you know him?” Jayden asks, running after me.

“No.”

“Uh.” He chuckles. “Seems like he knows you, or at least wants to. Did you notice him checking you out? You’re gonna have to break his little heart.”

“I think I saw him at the party, but I don’t remember much.” I yank my jersey over my head. “I don’t think he was checking me out. Not like that. I’m just competition. Seems full of himself, though, huh?”

Jayden looks back. “Shit, he has every right to be. He’s sexy as fuck.”

I scoff and as soon as we hit the doors to head to the field, I realize I forgot my gloves.

“Shit. I gotta get my gloves. Meet you out there.”

I jog back to the locker and spot Dominic changing nearby. Great, we’re locker neighbors.

He watches me approach, but I do my best to pretend I don’t notice his chiseled body as I pull open my locker.

“I think I like you better drunk,” he says.

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