Page 86 of Faking It with the Forward

“We have no idea what he wants or knows,” he says, before we go in. “I think we need to hear him out before we say anything, okay?”

I nod, but my stomach churns. Reese and I are both recognizable in that picture. Coach Green will easily be able to recognize us. Somehow Brent knows our secret.

Reese opens the door, holding it for me to enter first. The scent of fried food wafts out along with the strains of classic rock. Two men sit at the counter and a solo guy sits in a booth by the front window. Reese strides in, shoulders squared to where Brent waits at booth in the back. There’s a plate with a hamburger and fries sitting in front of him.

It’s easy to see why Nadia was attracted to him. He’s undoubtedly handsome with a strong jaw and straight nose. Clean-cut with a Tom Brady vibe. The kind of guy a franchise could make their poster boy.

Too bad he’s a total asshole.

When we approach, he gestures to the empty seat across the table. I slide in first, next to the window, and Reese follows. I’m used to being around confident men. There’s no way to play college or higher-level sports without a healthy dose of egotism. It’s just part of the game. I try not to feel closed in, but it’s impossible not to feel small surrounded by two, hulking athletes. Both leaders on their teams. Both with something to lose.

It’s like an alpha male face-off.

“Want something?” he says, nodding to the waitress behind the counter. “This place is a shithole, but the food is amazing.”

“We’re not here to eat,” Reese says, his hand tangling with mine under the table. “What’s this all about?”

Brent pops a fry in his mouth. “Obviously some serious shit went down last night, starting with the fact you barged into my house uninvited—”

“My friend was in danger!” I bite back.

His eyes dart to Reese, some bro signal for him to control me, but Reese just shrugs and says, “She’s right. Nadia has made it clear that she didn’t want to be on camera and told CJ repeatedly.”

“He said, she said.” Brent dismisses, but he does lower his voice. “Look, I’ll be the first to admit that it was stupid as fuck for CJ to film and post those videos. He’s been feeling down about his injury, and his prospects for the NFL. I felt sorry for him.” He shoves two more fries into his mouth and keeps talking. “Nadia’s easy. That girl will do anything I ask her to do. I figured she’d give him a blow job or ride him a few times and he’d blow off steam.” His eyes meet mine. “I didn’t know about the videos until he’d already put them up and I had no fucking idea he was doing it without consent.”

“Why would we believe that?” I ask. “You literally just admitted to passing girls around like candy.”

“I don’t really care if you believe me or not,” he shrugs and picks up his burger. “But what I do know you care about is that no one finds out that the two of you are fucking.”

“Why do you assume that?” Reese asks, casually, leaning back.

Brent takes a huge bite, chewing and swallowing before he replies, “Because your girl Shanna got her panties in a twist when I told her I saw you sneaking around with your tutor.”

“We weren’t sneaking—” I start, but he rolls his eyes and I stop.

“Babe, I know the look of a guy who just busted a nut, so don’t bother pretending like you weren’t.”

I should be used to crass jock talk by now, but from the heat burning my cheeks I’m obviously not immune.

“Shanna showed me a picture of the two of you together and told me that you’re the team trainer. It didn’t take long to find out that you two aren’t allowed to see each other and that’s why you’re keeping it a secret.” He smirks at me. “No one’s firing the Captain over here. You’re the one at risk of losing your job.”

“That’s a bold assumption,” Reese says.

“Is it? The look on your faces tells me I’m right.” He licks mustard off his thumb and leans back, throwing an arm over the back of the booth. “Normally, I wouldn’t give a shit about who you’re fucking, but after last night, I need a little leverage.”

“Let me guess,” I say sarcastically, “you want us to keep quiet about CJ running an amateur porn studio out of your house.”

“Yep. I’ll make sure he removes all the videos and deletes them too. Not just the ones of Nadia. But you have to agree to keep quiet about this. I don’t want to hear a fucking whisper about this on campus.”

“And if we don’t keep quiet?” Reese asks. “Or Nadia decides to report it?”

“She won’t,” he says confidently. I don’t miss the smug uplift of his lips. “I told you, she’ll do anything I ask her to do.Butif I find out anyone says a word, that photo goes straight to Coach Bryant and every other member of the hockey staff, including your student advisor and the head of the athletic department.”

“Send it,” Reese says, nonchalantly. “Because fuck you and your blackmailing ass. We may be breaking a few rules but you two were breaking the law.”

Reese is right. I know he’s right, but it doesn’t stop the panic from building in the back of my throat. Everything I’ve worked for is about to crumble.

“Wait.” I grab Reese’s arm. “Can we talk first?”

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