Page 7 of Dirty Player

“Found her sharing saliva with Colby Wade.”

“That dick.” Knox grumbles.

“Not everyone is a dick, Knox. He was an incredible player,” Atlas says firmly, and I can’t help it. I let out a sort of insane laugh.

Colby is one of the greats, but my big brother—the big idiot—would have my back no matter what.

“We’re coming over,” Knox says, and I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s just past midnight but I have practice the next day.

“Nah, I have to be up in six hours. I’ll be okay. Just wanted to talk shit about her.”

It’s a lie, but I say it anyway.

“Gold digger,” Atlas chirps in.

“Punt bunny,” Knox adds.

My anger fades, and a strange pain in my chest has me dropping my head. I guess this is my first true heartache.

Two days later, when Kaylee Rose and Colby Wade are all over social media as the hottest new couple, I realize theplayerjust got played.

CHAPTER ONE

LEVI

SIX MONTHS LATER

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“Here we go,” Dad says. “Proud of you no matter what, son.”

“I’m going to throw up,” Bella says, biting her fingernails.

“Shush.”

My eyes are glued to the screen as my heart thuds in anticipation.

This is it.

My life is about to change one way or the other.

“In this year’s first pick for the NFL draft, the Philadelphia Hawkes select Levi Montgomery, quarterback from Penn State.”

The room erupts.

I freeze for a moment, then the words sink in, and I leap off the sofa and scream. Knox and Atlas tackle me, and we go tumbling to the floor, laughing as the reality of what this means for me sinks in.

Oh, my fucking god!

I just got fucking drafted!

“Jesus I should’ve moved the antiques.” I hear Dad cry, but his voice is thick with emotion and pride.

I fly at him, hugging him harder than I ever have in my life.

“Thanks for believing in me, Dad,” I whisper for his ears only.

“So proud of you, son. So damn proud.” He grabs my face, smiling at me with glossy eyes. “Your mom would have been too.”

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