Page 8 of Resist Me

Drive my bike off a bridge… I shook my head as I thought about his words again. He was an arrogant bastard. I should’ve never asked him to help me out of that date, but Frank wouldn’t take a hint. I gave him more than a hint. Short of simply walking out, it seemed like my only option. I should’ve just walked out.

“Densmore!” I shouted.

His head snapped up and he immediately narrowed his eyes at me. Kai hit his chest with the back of his hand, giving him a meaningful look. West should listen to his friend more often. Kai was respectable and he knew how to set boundaries between the different areas in his life. Although it may seem counterintuitive, that actually made him a better player, just like it did me. I guaranteed that part of West’s problem was burnout. He was too careless and short-sighted to recognize it.

“With me,” I said, jerking my chin.

He wanted to argue so badly. Defiance danced in his bright blue eyes. They were stark below his ebony hair. He had so many warring features that shouldn’t work together, but they did. Worse, he knew that he was beautiful and it only contributed to his ego.

“Yes, your majesty?” He performed a mock bow in front of me.

My eyes traveled to Kai, who was watching our interaction warily. I smiled at him, hoping it’d make him feel a little better. While I didn’t know the nitty gritty details of their friendship, it was clear that they were protective of each other. Kai undoubtedly had to put more into fulfilling that duty than West did.

I returned my gaze to West. “Me and you are practicing. Everything you did here yesterday was shit and I expect you to turn it around.”

“You don’t get to act like my boss just because you’re the team’s quarterback.”

“That’s literally how rank works and I have seniority.”

“Respect is earned, not given because you’re old.”

“I didn’t ask you to respect me. Frankly, I couldn’t care less how you feel about me, but coach wants me to work with you, so I am.”

His jaw set tightly as he dropped his gaze. “It was just a bad day yesterday. I don’t need one-on-one work.”

“Jesus Christ. You’re playing the whole game tomorrow, so end your little pity party and show me you know how to throw a damn ball.”

At that, his eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face. With a scowl, I tossed the ball at him and started jogging backward. Remembering my ankle was ‘sprained,’ I slowed to a walk. I held my hands up, waiting for him to pass it to me.

I was a little surprised when his throw was perfect. It was a far cry from the shit he displayed yesterday. I knew that he was good; I’d seen that over the past five months. He could be great, but I didn’t have any confidence that he’d make it there, especially if he kept acting like he had all year.

He backpedaled when I sent the ball further than he had. After he caught it, he came closer.

“Are we just playing catch here, Porter?”

“Lincoln.”

A single brow raised. “We’re not friends.”

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t want me to use your last name. Don’t use mine. It makes you sound like a douchebag gym teacher.”

“Fair enough, Linc.”

I frowned but didn’t say anything about it. “The team we’re going up against tomorrow has great defense, so let’s talk about our plays.”

“If coach puts Kai out there with me, we’ll annihilate them.”

“You can’t rely on your buddy to help you win. He’s not gonna be there every time. What happens if you get drafted? You have to be able to work with new people and hold your own no matter what.”

“I can both hold my own and work with new people.”

“Maybe if you were more likable.”

Anger flashed in his eyes. “I am very likable.”

“No, you’re a coddled child, exuberant and fake.”

“Excuse me? I’m not fake.”

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