Page 196 of The Surprise Play
WILY
Something has shifted between Satch and me. Our relationship has been evolving ever since our first tutoring session, but spending the weekend with her, hours of talking and being with each other… It’s changed something between us.
She ended up telling me everything that happened to her in high school. It was brutal, but I clenched my jaw, and I didn’t say a fucking word. I kept my anger in check while she softly shared how horrible it all was.
I made love to her after that—slow and easy, reminding her how amazing she is and how much I love her. How much my friends already care about her.
She’s gonna find a home here at Football Frat. For the first time in her life, she’s gonna belong.
She belongs with me, so it’s inevitable, right?
This girl’s the one.
I can feel it in my bones.
And if we can somehow survive whatever is comingwith my future career and living apart until she graduates, then I honestly think we can make it.
Which means I have to tell my parents about her.
The thought is like a rock in my stomach.
You’d think they’d be open to me falling in love. They’re happily married (I think), so why wouldn’t they be all over me finding a girl?
But I just know the second I drop that news, they’re gonna start stressing.
“She’ll distract you.”
“You have to focus on football right now.”
“Great, now he’s not going to want to leave her.”
“This is a disaster.”
“We told you not to get serious with anyone.”
“You don’t have space in your life for love right now.”
Their voices bombard me as I head to football training, and I just know that I can’t breathe a word about Satch until after the Scouting Combine. If I kick ass there—and I will—then I can prove to them that having a girlfriend and handling football is completely doable. They’ll have no argument because I will have already shown them it’s possible.
That way I can protect Satch. The last thing she needs is to take on any animosity from my parents and their warped view on how I should be living my life.
I guess I used to agree with them.
Until I met her.
And now it’s all different.
Becauseshe’sdifferent.
My lips twitch as I relive moments from our weekend. She’s so sexy and beautiful. Most of Saturday, she wasnaked in my bed, and damn if I couldn’t get used to a lifetime of that.
I love her giggle. I love that I can make her laugh.
The way she looks at me.
Her sweet voice.
The expression on her face when I’m talking to her.
