Page 40 of The First Play

My answers were terse and snappy, and we ended up getting into a big fight before my game that carried on immediately after I left the locker room. He confiscated my phone so I couldn’t even text Sienna back, which was enough to make me cold-shoulder him for the rest of the weekend. He was so pissed that he ended up sending me back to Mom’s a day early.

Which is where I am right now, up in my room—still phone-less, but at least I have my laptop.

Sienna and I have been texting most of the day, although she’s about to board her plane—thank God!—and I’m taking this chance to do some research.

Using an incognito window, I am happily jumping down a rabbit hole entitledHow to make a woman come. And I’m learning a shit ton of stuff I can’t wait to try out on my girlfriend.

There’s a soft tap on the door, and then it swings open before I even have a chance to respond. Slapping my laptop shut, I whip around, no doubt looking busted as hell.

Dad frowns at me. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” I swallow and hold out my hand. “Can I have my phone back now?”

He sighs, stalking into the room. I stay tucked beneath my desk, pretty sure I have a full-blown erection after picturing all the things I want to do to my girl. That last one had me fired up and wanting to meet Sienna at the airport just so I can drive her someplace private and get started.

Slapping the phone into my palm, Dad mutters, “Your mom says I’m not allowed to take it from you again, but I just want to make it clear that I felt it was the right thing to do. You and this girl are getting obsessed with each other, and it’s not healthy.”

I roll my eyes.Here we go again.

“I mean it, Zander. There’s more to life than just some girl.”

“She’s not justsome girl,” I grit out. “She’s really important to me.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Dad brushes his hand through the air. “I get that you’re really into her, but you’ve got a whole future ahead of you. I need you to understand how important that is.”

“I get it, Dad!” I huff, running a hand through my hair. This conversation is disintegrating my boner, so it’s safe enough for me to push away from my desk and face him properly. “You won’t shut up about it, so?—”

“I won’t shut up because I care about you!” he growls. “There’s more to life than romance. How’s that gonna help you reach your football goals? How’s that gonna get you an education and a job!”

“Dad.” I close my eyes with a sigh. “Stop being so dramatic. I can do all of those things and still have a girlfriend.”

“She is distracting you, and you know it. Your gameplay is off. Your studies are taking a hit.”

I balk at him. “That’s bullshit! I’m working my ass off on the field and in school.”

“Your focus isn’t completely there, and I’m worried it’s going to kill your chances. Brighton doesn’t accept half-ass players. They’ll want your full commitment.”

“Dad—” I start.

He holds up his hand. “Just shut up for a second and hear me out. I’m not telling you to break up with her, okay? I’m just warning you that if you don’t get your head on straight, you might not get the college you’re hoping for.”

“Oh, come on.” I flick my hands out wide. “We already know Brighton’s interested.”

“You haven’t had a definite verbal offer yet, and until you do, you don’t have the luxury of relaxing and slacking off!”

“You’re being paranoid.”

“There are no guarantees in this life,” Dad barks, thrusting a hand through his hair and starting to pace. “I was hoping scouts from all over would come and see you, but they won’t even know you exist unless you put yourself out there. We should have sent your video out to more schools.”

I roll my eyes. “The Brighton coaches have already been to one game this season, and they’ll come to at least two more. They’re interested in a few of us.”

“I know that.” Dad spins to face me. “But they won’tstayinterested unless you up your performance! Last week’s game was a write-off. Friday night’s wasn’t much better, and that was ahomegame. You should have dominated.”

I grit my teeth and mutter, “That team was brutal. Give me a break.”

“You were off your game, Zander.” Dad’s eyes narrow in on me, and I squirm in my seat, fisting my fingers and tapping my knee. I don’t want to admit that he’s right.

Can’t I just enjoy my life?

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