Page 5 of Red Zone
Madison snorts and smacks my shoulder, then floats back toward the couch, where she does a terrible job pretending not to sneak peeks at Jaxon Montgomery.
Now that’s something worth watching.
Jaxon’s new here. A transfer with a big reputation. Coach thinks he might be our missing piece. He’s good—can’t deny that. But he’s also tight. Coiled. Like he’s waiting for something to give him permission to explode. He tries to play it cool, but I’ve spent my entire football career learning to read people.
And right now, he’s watching Madison like she’s the only thing holding him together.
Interesting.
The night rolls on and somewhere between the hallway and the living room, someone suggests a game of truth or dare.
Of course they do.
And, of course, it’s Lyla who takes the lead.
She climbs onto the arm of the couch with that wild gleam in her eye and calls everyone out by name like she’s a game show host fueled by vodka and vengeance.
The dares are ridiculous. The truths are worse.
“Carter,” she says with a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” I respond, confidently.
“Have you ever tried to hook up with a professor or TA?”
The group erupts in laughter and gasps, but I don’t miss a beat.
“Jessica Miller, hands down,” I say, making sure to add a little extra confidence to the grin I’m wearing. “Freshman year, Intro to Psych. She was so hot. She was into me, too, I’m sure of it.”
Lyla rolls her eyes, shaking her head as if she knew the answer before she even asked.
What can I say? Everyone around here thinks I’m a cocky son of a bitch who scores nothing but touchdowns, on and off the field.
It’s not the real me, but I’d rather have people talking about my sex life than other things I like keeping in the dark. I’m not ashamed of growing up the way I did, but I don’t need or want the “pity” that normally comes along once people find out.
The game continues, but I can’t help noticing the obvious tension between Jaxon and Madison.
They know, or knew, each other really damn well. She knew he slept with a nightlight and that he was scared of thunderstorms.
Once it’s Jaxon’s turn again, he pauses for a second before deciding to go with whatever he landed on. “I dare you to tell me why you never showed up to Michigan State for freshman orientation three years ago.”
Madison’s eyes flare with shock, my brows probably coming close to hitting my hairline while hers swiftly turn into anger. “That’s not how this game works.”
Lyla stands, breaking the tension. “I think we’ve all had enough of this game. Madison, come help me get more drinks.” She grabs Madison’s hand, pulling her toward the kitchen before she can protest.
I watch them leave the room. “So, how exactly do you know Maddy?”
He meets my gaze, not shying away. “We grew up together.”
“Hmm.” I nod, the story making more sense as to why Madison is so tense. “And now you’re here. Interesting timing.”
“It’s not what you think,” he says, hand coming to scratch the back of his neck.
My eyes narrow slightly. “What do I think, Montgomery?”
Jaxon doesn’t get a chance to respond before someone else continues the game, but the air doesn’t shift back to thelighthearted kind. No, it stays tense and a little awkward. That’s my cue to grab another beer.
On my way to the kitchen, I wonder if Lyla asked that question to embarrass me or because she actually cared.
