Page 2 of Stalked By the Linebacker

“Okay, fine,” she quickly gave in, “Thank you for doing this. I’ve just…” When her voice drifted off, I frowned. I pulled the phone from my ear and looked down at the screen to make sure the call hadn’t cut out.

“What?” I asked.

“We’ve just been… worried about her.”

“Why?” I scowled, grabbing my wallet and keys from the dresser. A guilt trip from my mom was irritating.

“She doesn’t get out much. She works two jobs and goes to class.”She and a million other students, I thought to myself but knew better than to say out loud. “And it’s not like she can come home often, you know?”

“Mom.” I didn’t know where she was taking this. My mom was a wildcard sometimes. And a nut a lot of the times.

“I just want her to have some fun. She deserves a little fun.”

“I’ll visit her.”

“Thank you. Maybe suggest some clubs or sororities she could look into. Or maybe some parties you might have heard of?”

“Right,” I muttered, knowing very well I was not going to do that. If the girl wanted to find friends, I’d heard all about how smart she was. I was sure she was more than capable of finding them all on her own. “I’m gonna head out. Hopefully, she’s working. If she’s not, I’ll text her and check in,” I shared just as I reached the door to my room.

“Oh, she will be! She works nights.” My steps faltered.

“What? Why?” Not that I cared, but at the end of the day, I was a guy who had two younger sisters. I knew I sure as shit wouldn’t like Blanca or Griselda working somewhere overnight. Much less on the iffy side of town.

“Because she has two jobs. I told you, la pobresita doesn’t do anything but work and school. That’s why I have been asking you to check on her. Your sisters and I worry about her.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “Love you, Mom.”

“Thank you, honey! I really appreciate you going to check on her.

“Tell the gremlins I love them, too.”

“Your sisters are going to love that.” She laughed. “Love you, mijo. Drive safe, and thank you for checking on our girl.”

“Right.” I hung up, ignoring herour girlcomment.

I hadn’t seen my sister’s nerdy, shy best friend in about four years. Somehow, every time I went home, our paths never crossed. I hardly remembered the rugrat. I waved hi to some buddies on the team who all made sure to ask if I was hitting the Sigma Kai party later.

Twenty minutes later, I was parked at the small burger joint slash diner on the edge of the sketchy part of town. It wasn’t terrible. It just wasn’t like the part of town closest to the school. It was older and run down. The area had most definitely seen better days. The building itself needed a paint job probably five years ago and the parking lot should have been repaved longer ago than that. Yet, the place kept its doors open twenty-four seven. The food was great and cheap. I’d actually come here more than a couple of times now that I thought about it.How the hell didn’t I know she works here?

I walked in and immediately noticed a guy, Greg, I knew from one of my bio classes.

“Hey, Crank!” He grinned from the cash register with a chin nod.

“Greg! Man, it’s been a minute.” We fist bumped.

“Right! Since finals.” He scratched his forehead. “You taking Henderson next semester?” he asked, and I shrugged.

“I’m actually doing that this summer,” I shared.

“No way? I didn’t know he was offering that course.”

“Yeah, online. You should look into it. Last time I looked, the class hadn’t been filled yet.”

“Right on. I’ll definitely do that. Haven’t seen you here in a while,” he pointed out.

During the season, my team and I popped in, especially after a game, but during the off-season, I was really careful and watchful of my diet.

“Yeah, man, just been busy. You know how it goes.” I smiled back, and he nodded.

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