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Arms over my head, I bend down to stretch my back. I bounce a few times, groaning at the pleasure-pain of feeling my muscles push to their limits. I’m keyed up and ready to play, but we’ve still got another half hour before game time.

My phone beeps from my locker and I jump up to retrieve it, hoping it’s Phia. I haven’t seen or talked to her since this morning when I kissed her goodbye to head over to the stadium. Game Day is a big deal around here and Coach insists we arrive hours before we need to, so we don’t get hounded by rabid fans as we enter. It gives us time to decompress, workout, tape up, dress, and mentally prepare for the grueling hours on the field.

Only problem is I’ve usually caught at least glimpses of my girl by now. Moving around with the other support staff getting everything ready. Today though…nothing.

Mom:We love you, Crue! So proud of you! Go out there and whoop some butt!

Chuckling, I respond to my mom.

Crue:Love you too! Their ass is grass!

Mom:Language!

“Your mom yelling at you for cussing again?” Gill bumps his shoulder into mine as he passes me for his own locker.

“Always.”

Dad:Stomp them fuckers into the ground!

Dad:Quit cussing at your mother.

Crue:I didn’t cuss *at* her, I cussed *near* her.

Dad:Don’t use that college education to weasel your way out of this.

Crue:Then what’s the point of it if not to argue my way out of trouble eloquently?

Dad:When are we gonna meet your girl? Your mother is champing at the bit and I’m having trouble keeping her *distracted*.

Crue:Bye week, we’ll be down next weekend. And I’m about to play an intense game of football and you decide now would be a good time for innuendos?

Dad:There is never a bad time for innuendos. Play smart, play hard. Love you!

Crue:Love you too!

“My dad is a cruel man.”

Gill snorts, “Oh, yeah?”

“He implied things about keeping my mother distracted from meeting Phia.”

“Meeting the parents. If memory serves you’ve never had to do that before. Nervous?”

I shrug, “Not really. They’re gonna love her as much as I do.”

In a rare moment of sentimentality, Gill sobers meeting my eyes. “She’s incredible, Crue. And perfect for you. Good to see you happy.”

“I am happy. Happier than I thought possible.” I glance around the locker room, staring at the main doors like I have x-rayvision and will spot Phia in the corridors. “I’d be ecstatic if I could lay eyes on her before the game.”

“She’s around somewhere, probably staying away from you so she doesn’t jump your dick. You areirresistiblein those tight, white pants.” I smacked him as he fans himself dramatically.

“Fuck you.”

“Not on your best day. You fill out those tight pants well, but that ain’t my scene.”

I scoff, hitting the call button on Phia’s name…again. It rang four times before going to voicemail. I hung up and threw it in my locker, slamming the door. “Not what Yanok said.”

“Dude!” Gill was offended and it made my lips twitch, but not enough to actually smile. “I’d rather fuck a meat grinder than Yanok!”

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