Page 38 of Brutal Days

Did the entire school show up?I shuddered at the thought. It wasn’t my scene. As my gaze scanned the rows looking for a spot, someone waved. Riley. I grinned, more than happy to sit with her and Cole. I didn’t have as much of an issue with him, only because of how much I liked Riley.

I climbed the short distance, as they were only a few rows up, and wove through the small space while people moved their knees to the side or stood to get out of my way. I fell into the seat she’d saved me.

“I wasn’t sure you would show.” Riley grinned. “What made you change your mind?”

I didn’t need to tell her that I was basically allergic to athletes. She’d gotten that from our first encounter last year. “I have to cover the game for the school’s blog.”

I rolled my eyes, and she laughed.

“It should be a good one.” She looped her arm through mine and leaned close. It was loud around us already since the team had taken the field. “Are you going to tell me what’s happening between you and Damon? I know something’s up. The attraction between you two is crazy. I have no idea how that other girl didn’t notice it.”

Because Gia chooses to be oblivious?I wasn’t sure, but it worried me. “Nothing is happening between us.”

Riley snorted. “Keep telling yourself that.”

I tried to, but it got more complicated every time he touched me. “How’s college life? I’m guessing it’s vastly different than the shitshow that’s high school.” I was over the year already. Gia’s senior list had done me in from the start.

“I love it.” Riley’s smile was contagious. “I never thought I would be able to go, and I miss my mom like crazy, which is why Cole and I come home whenever we can. Will you go to Thane?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“For journalism?”

I shrugged. “Yes, but maybe something else too. I haven’t decided. I want to write, but expanding into other areas like computer science would be a good idea for marketability.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

I braced myself against the mischievous sparkle that flared within her brown eyes.

“Damon is into you. I know I keep going back to it, but I’m telling you, he can’t get you off his mind.”

“Probably because we can’t stand each other.”

She snickered. “Yeah, sort of like how Cole and I were.”

I pushed out a resigned breath. She wasn’t wrong there. But I didn’t want to talk about Damon. “How’s Cassie? Is she still dating Matt?” I got along well with the laid-back guy in their grade—he had a total surfer vibe.

“Yeah, those two are attached at the hip. I would be surprised if they made it to senior year without getting engaged. They’re going to Hawaii for spring break to surf. We weren’t invited, which should tell you everything about their trip.”

“I’m not surprised. I thought they could go the distance right from the start of them dating.”

Phoenix threw the ball, distracting us. I wanted to hate the game, but the adrenaline danced through my veins as the ball soared down the field only to be snatched out of the air by the tips of Damon’s fingers. I held my breath as I scooted to the edge of my seat. He tucked it into his body and put on a burst of speed, outrunning the opposition’s outstretched hands into the end zone. I jumped to my feet and cheered with the rest of the fans.

Holy hell. That was intense. They lined up again rather than kick a field goal, and I tensed, chanting in my head to the football gods for a favorable outcome. It was so unlike me, but I was helpless against the sheer talent on the field. Phoenix, Damon, and Shane were leagues above the other players. They didn’t showboat or seem to hold themselves apart while on the field. The entire team ran like a well-oiled unit. A testament to Phoenix, as the QB was a leader, which he was to our team.

The center snapped the ball to Phoenix, who dropped back, found Shane, and tossed it for an easy two-point conversion. I’d researched the game enough to know the ins and outs of the positions and rules. I needed to do the blog articles justice so no one on the team would come calling for my head after I fucked it up. Footballers had egos. Damon was a perfect example.

Each call the announcer made went down in the notebook I had perched on my leg, pen at the ready. As players did something notable, or if they didn’t, I recorded it, jotting down names.

I’d never thought I would find myself in the bleachers, watching a football game, let alone cheering on our team. They were incredible. Even I had to admit that.

My fingers white-knuckled my pen as we intercepted the ball. Riley and I jumped to our feet, yelling with the rest of the fans as Shane, who occasionally played defense—who knew that happened?—sprinted down the field, the ball tucked against his chest.

I shoved my hair from my face and grinned. Endorphins flooded my body, and fuck it. I was enjoying the hell out of the game.

Damon came off the field with the rest of the offensive line, and I could barely tear my eyes off his powerful form, though Riley nudged me.

“I’m texting you the dorm I’ll be in next year so you can request it. Or Cassie, you, and I could get a three-room suite.”

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