Page 74 of Eight Steps to Alpha

“Fumble!”

He heard Craig yell, as mud and grass filled the side of his mouth. He pushed from the ground, spiting pieces of grass and dirt from his teeth, then rose to his knees, just before Craig spiked the ball on the other side of the field.

“And that’s how it’s done, bitches!”

Yep. Just like he suspected. He was fucked.

* * *

The restof the afternoon went in much the same fashion. Elliot on the ground, dirt in his face. Elliot on the ground, Craig on top of him. Elliot on the ground, Dave on top of him.

Offense or defense it didn’t seem to matter.

But he always got up.

Always.

And he tried his damned hardest. Taking every beating, every tackle, and by what felt like the hundredth time Craig’s booted feet came to stand by Elliot’s side. He was so tired his bones ached, but he took Craig’s hand, and allowed himself to be pulled up anyway. “Good game,” Craig stated. Which was the first compliment he’d heard all day.

Elliot cleared his throat, then wiped he hands over his jeans, adding more mud to the grass and dirt stains that already covered them. “You’ve really handed it to me.”

Craig laughed, which was very much unexpected. Craig was a brute, a stone wall. Elliot had never even seen him smile before now.

David came from the other side of the field and tossed him the ball. “You did good today, Elliot.”

“Thanks.” He turned toward the sidelines, where a cooler of water was set over by the tree. Fe was there waiting, a frown causing her brow to crease.

“How do you feel?”

He took a cold bottle from the chest, drank a big swig of it, then answered her. “Like I’ve been run over by a school bus.”

Phil laughed, diving hand first into the ice chest. “You look even worse, my friend.”

The others came over then, almost as dirty as Elliot.

Craig draped his arm over his sister’s shoulder’s and pulled her in close to his side. “You’re really not coming to Maria’s party tonight?”

Fe’s cheeks instantly flushed, and she glanced over at Elliot. “No, we have to get back—“

“What party?” Elliot asked at the same moment.

Craig’s eyes narrowed as he glanced over to his sister. “It’s our aunt’s birthday. The whole family normally attends.”

There was blame in Craig’s expression, and Elliot didn’t like hearing it. “I don’t have any plans,” he said looking straight into Craig’s judgmental face. “Do you?” he asked Fe, turning in her direction.

Her eyes widened, and she was looking at him like she wanted to kill him. “We don’t have any clothes, Elli. I mean look at us.”

David stepped forward and flipped open his wallet. “The party isn’t for a couple hours. Go shopping.” He handed her a pile of twenties and folded them in her hand. “My treat.”

Fe’s thumb flew in Elliot’s direction. “But he’s filthy.”

David laughed, more amused than he should be. “That he is.” He glanced him over from head to toe, then looked back to Fe. “Meet me at my place in two hours. You guys can get ready there.”

“But—“

“See you in a couple hours.”

And that settled that. Her Entire family was about to meet Elliot. Her fake boyfriend.

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