Page 43 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
She grinned smugly, pushing up to capture his lips.He groaned into her kiss as she stole the air from his lungs."Damn right, I am."
Elliotwoketothescreaming alarm of his phone and his stomach nearly bottomed out.Game day.He cleared the technological terror of its noise before looking to where Cassie was supposed to be.Normally, she slept snuggled up against him and a leg wrapped around him.However, he was the only one in the bed.Elliot shifted to sitting up, the world settling into him, and he heard the shower.His heart ceased its hammering.He tossed his legs over the side of the bed and ruffled the top of his hair.The faucet cut off and a few moments later, as he was working through all his sleep logged muscles, Cassie stepped out.Her curls were shiny and damp, her face was freshly scrubbed, and her body was wrapped up in one of his towels.She smiled, "Sorry, needed a head start on you."
They'd spent the whole day off sleeping.In and out of bed, lounging on the couch, going to grab quick but small meals, and sleeping some more.It was time for the game, and he knew his heart was bound to rocket out of his chest.
Cassie squeezed her curls once more before hanging her towel, skipping over to her bag."All the sisters are coming.My parents have yet to confirm, which means likely they won't go.Which is fine."Her voice was tight in her throat as she ripped on panties and her bra in quick succession.
"That's fine, I mean, start small, right?"He cocked a brow from the bathroom doorway.
"Yeah, start small, it's fine, besides, they're the important ones.I'm not worried about my folks."She tugged on a silk camisole, fidgeting with her slacks.
Elliot reached a hand out and put it over her frantic fingers.They were both nervous, but for different reasons.He smiled warmly, catching her gaze."Hey, I'll meet them, don't worry."
"Worried?I'm not worried," she flat out lied, laughing sheepishly.Elliot didn't call her out on it as he knew it was better for her to pretend than to face the situation head on right now.There were still eight plus hours before they met up for dinner.Best not to worry about it till closer to time.
He ducked into the shower and left her to get dressed alone.By the time he left, she was fully dressed with her sneakers on.Elliot pulled on his game day practice outfit, a pair of short, black shorts and a very loose black hoodie, and jogged down with her.She'd crafted up a shake for him and coffee for her.It was strange how easily she adapted to his life.Elliot took a heavy gulp, wincing at the grit.Okay, she's not perfect, but she tried.He'd done worse than choke down some gritty protein in the morning.Besides, fiber is fiber, right?They met Toad by the sidewalk.The two athletes stretched while Cassie applied sunscreen to her cheeks and checked on her article.The 'SportsBall for Dummies' article was out and gaining numbers, she said.Apparently, everyone liked her teasing tone.
For everyone who, like me, had no idea this existed until the moment a hot SportsBall player flashed me a smile, let me tell you it's a real thing!
Elliot listened happily as she read through it on the way to the field.There were already some bystanders, sitting by the ticket stand and waving to the three as they were let in by security.Ninety percent of the time, there wasn't a need to watch the gates.Then, on game days, Elliot actually had to dig out his I.D.Cassie wore her press badge like a medal of honor, reveling in the scowl from certain on lookers.The ones close to the McMattersons, no doubt.
The pack met up in the locker room, Coach Renner already in there getting everyone riled up.After a rowdy session of hooting and hollering, Trainer Lee and Tens both walked in with massive suit bags for everyone.Elliot took his first, at the front of the stack and held it up.Everyone got ahold of theirs and held it up, clinking the clothes hangers together.Then, slowly, one by one, everyone tucked them away into their respective lockers.The sea of athletes charged from the locker room, followed swiftly by their coach.Elliot lost Cassie for a moment before he found her in the stands, talking with their announcer and marching band director.
She spared him a smile before waving.He waved back, angry butterflies filling his chest.This was going to be a good game.
Chapter twenty
Going all the way to the goal post
Cassiopeia
Thedaywasawhirlwind.While the team practiced, she got her camera, microphone, and other tools ready for the game.Then it was go-go-go between talking with the announcer, getting information from the marching band, and calling to ensure her siblings would be there; her blood pressure was dangerously high.Stress.She was at the gate one moment, getting her gaggle of sisters down into good seats, then in the announcer booth the next, ensuring her shots were lined up for the video feed.Cass finally slowed down in the stands, off to the side so she wouldn't interfere with anyone's view, pulling out her regular camera.
Something akin to an ominous cloud rolled over her as someone stepped up behind her.Her skin crawled as they brushed their shoulder against hers and rested against the railing in front of her."Cassiopeia,where have you been all my life?"
Slimy, rotten, Stevie McMatterson stood beside her, his biceps pressed against hers.Cass tried to step over, put breathing room between them, but there was nowhere to go.Great.She took a deep breath in sharply through her nose, reminding herself to be on her best behavior."McMatterson, evening, I thought it was in your best interest not to talk with me?"
"Stevie, please," he dragged out the sound in a disgusting, flirty fashion.Cass struggled not to groan dramatically and roll her eyes.She kept her gaze on the camera screen as she took shots of the field before the players ripped it up.
"Once more, I thought you were advised to leave me alone."She straightened her spine into an iron rod and glared out to the field.
"Mmm, yeah, but we both knowwhyElliot warned me about that.He's territorial about the ass he's plowing."
Cass gripped her camera, nails digging into the plastic like she could shatter it like glass.Inch by inch, she turned her head toward him."What did you say?"
"Please, we all know how the game is played.I'm not shaming you for it, a girl's gotta do who a girl's gotta do in order to get a paycheck, I get it.I'm just wondering if maybe I can get the same deal?"
Red.All she saw was red as a flat palm smacked against her rear end.Cass wasn't sure what happened first.Did she swing her camera at his head first?Did her sisters, having clocked her and Stevie together, swoop in first?Did Stevie fall out of the stands first?She wasn't sure.But in quick succession, she arched her arm back, forgetting how expensive the camera was, and swung.Somehow, in that kerfuffle of bodies and red, Stevie landed in the bushes lining the stands and Cass was being dragged, bound and gagged by her siblings, down the steps.It wasn't till they were safely tucked in the concrete cover of the arena's concession area was she released.
"Was that who I think it was?"Andromeda growled, looking down at the hall they just cleared.
"Stevie McMatterson, yeah," Lyra huffed, untangling Cass's hair and returning it to its regular glory.
"Fuck that guy," Haylee snorted, handing the concessions worker a handful of gold in exchange for soda and popcorn.
"Why did he smack your ass?"Katterina squinted at the hallway, as if contemplating charging up there and getting the answer herself.
"He knows Elliot and I are involved, so he wanted some."The confession fell out of Cass like a lead weight.She sank back against the concrete wall, counting her heartbeats until they slowed."Thanks…for the quick save."
