Page 24 of Hey, Stepbro

I need to know if Brock’s playing me or not.

CHAPTER8

BROCK

My right hand unleashes the football, and my breath constricts as it hurls through the air. Justin runs to catch it, but my mind is elsewhere. It's on Blakely and that wondrous morning we spent at Rainbow Paws animal shelter.

We talked about our families and how much we both care for ours.

The hug we shared was so special. I was taken aback by how vulnerable he was with me—opening up about his mother's pill addiction and how hard it must have been for him to lose someone so close to his heart like that.

And then there were those eyes of his—so full of sorrow yet so determined, almost as if he knew he could make it through anything life threw at him. I'm in awe of his strength and resilience, and I want to be there for him whenever he needs me.

I try to focus on the practice. If I don't get my head in the game, Coach will chew my ass out.

But thoughts of Blakely keep resurfacing in my mind. With each long pass I make, I think about what else I can do to show him how much I care for him.

I'm not even thinking aboutAnimalLover, which is the craziest fucking thing. I was caught off guard by the revelation that Blakely volunteered at the same shelter as him, but we had such a good time I didn't even ask him if he knew someone else from Riverside College who liked animals.

The animal shelter world must be a small one. It doesn't matter. I'm grateful I connected with Blakely.

My teammates and I head to the locker room after practice ends. I strip out of my gear, grab my soap, and head to the showers.

Scalding water hits my head and muscles, easing my tension.

Pablo smirks. "Look who's all lovey-dovey now. Got a crush, Brock? Is that why you were so distracted at practice?"

I roll my eyes. "Shut the hell up, dickhead."

"Come on, man," Justin chimes in. "We all heard about you and Blakely at the shelter. That must be the dude you love. You're into him."

I turn away from them, pretending to focus on washing my hair.

"It's none of your damn business," I grumble.

"Hey, we're only messing with you," Pablo says. "But seriously, if you need any tips on how to make a move, ask."

There's no way out of this conversation. "I don't need any damn tips. I'm trying to get to know him better and be there for him, okay?"

Justin grins. "That's sweet. Good luck."

I finish up in the shower and head back to my locker, grabbing my clothes and towel. As I'm dressing, my mind drifts to Blakely's soft, warm skin, and how it felt against mine when we hugged. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This isn't the time or place for those kinds of thoughts.

Plus, Blakely likely doesn't even feel the same way about me. He made it clear that the hookup we shared was a one-time thing.

My phone beeps with a notification. It's a text from Blakely. My heart thrums as I open it.

Blakely:Hey, Brock. Thanks for last Sunday. I had a great time. Would you want to hangout sometime again this week—maybe not with animals, but go to a movie or something?

I can't believe it. Blakely wants to see me again. I quickly type back a response, my fingers shaking with excitement.

Me:Of course. I had a great time too. How about we head to the mall tomorrow night?

I hit send and wait anxiously for his response. Seconds feel like hours until my phone beeps again.

Blakely:I'd love that. I'm swamped with coursework, but a break will be good.

I grin from ear to ear, blushing like a damn schoolgirl. Christ, what is it about him that drives me nuts?

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