SCORE (A Stepbrother Sports Romance)(4)

“Want to go outside? It’s really hot in here,” she asked, hiccuping mid-sentence. I nodded, and she grabbed my hand, pulling me outside into the cool, nighttime breeze.

I sat on a bench in the backyard, drinking beers as Brittney climbed all over me, touching me and kissing my face. I pulled away from her, not in the mood, but she clung to me anyway. I waited until I was sober enough to drive and left after saving my number in Brittney’s phone, figuring she might be a good time when she was a little less drunk.

I drove home and fell into bed, annoyed by the party. I hated the restlessness, desperate to know what might be happening between Alyssa and that guy. I wouldn’t ask, and there was no point in even knowing because it made no difference. I just needed to get Alyssa out of my head. I rolled over, forced my eyes shut, and prepared for another crappy night of sleep.

Over the next two days, I saw very little of Alyssa. She was out a lot or holed up in her room, reading. I was bored out of my mind, filling my time with going to the gym and playing video games in my room. I was on the twelfth level of the game and had been playing for a few hours when there was a knock on my door. “Come in,” I called out without looking away from the television screen in front of me.

The door opened, and I flicked a quick glance at my mom as she entered the room. “Blake, honey, can we talk for a moment?”

I paused the game with an annoyed sigh and turned to look at my mother. “Sure, Mom. What’s up?”

“I want to talk to you about school, honey. You need to figure out what you’re going to do,” Mom told me, looking even more concerned that usual.



“I don't know, Mom. I really don't know what I want to do.” I smiled to soften the annoyance in my tone. I was mad at myself more than at her. The constant disappointment and anxiety I felt when I thought of school bubbled to the surface after I had deliberately neglected the thoughts all summer. I felt guilty for dismissing the subject of my future, but it was terrifying to think about.



“I still think you should go to the school that offered you a position on their football team—the one Alyssa goes to. It’s close, and you would get to be on the team.” I saw the hope in her eyes as she handed me the envelope I had opened at the beginning of the summer and never touched again.



I was unsure about how Alyssa would feel about me going there. The thought of getting to see her every day made me smile, and as much as I wanted—or was it needed?—to keep the distance and contact between us to a minimum, my pulse raced and my stomach dropped at the thought of seeing her regularly. Between Alyssa and football, the choice was just too tempting, especially considering that my mother wouldn’t let me get away with saying no.



I smiled and said, “Sure. I'll look into going there. It sounds like a good idea.”



She returned my smile, obviously pleased, and I tried to feel more optimistic about my future, having finally made a small commitment to something. I had always struggled with schoolwork despite my athletic abilities. College was a whole new world, and I was secretly terrified I wouldn’t be able to make it off the field.



The next couple days went by quickly as I got my paperwork together for school and worked out in prep for football. Before I knew, it was the day before classes began.



Mom was so excited about me going to college that she offered to drive Alyssa and me to the school. I was nervous and excited at the same time. My stomach twisted in small waves of nausea, and I sat rigidly in my seat, fighting to maintain a cold, careless attitude. Alyssa was quiet as we drove, giving off a cold vibe as well. I wondered if she was angry at me for choosing the same college as her. I looked at her from the passenger seat, studying her in the rearview mirror. She flashed me an icy stare before looking away, demonstrating her obvious anger.



I got out of the car, saying a quick goodbye to my mom. “Love you,” I called out to her before walking off. Alyssa scowled at me, clearly not pleased by the fact that I was attending the same school. “What’s the matter, blue eyes?” I asked, flashing her a charming smile.



Her jaw clenched in irritation. “Did you really have to follow me here?”



“Look, kid, it’s nothing personal. I got a football scholarship, and a decent one at that.” I fell into step beside her and looked around the large campus. My words were prideful, and telling Alyssa something positive about my future felt good, especially considering how much she valued school.



“Whatever,” she mumbled, clearly unimpressed. She clutched her notebooks tightly to her chest. She’s nervous, I realized, smiling to myself. The great and mighty Alyssa was nervous for her first day of school. How cute.

Making my voice kinder, I said, “Good luck, kid.” I patted her on the back before we parted ways.

The first day was rough. Classes were long, and football practice was intense. I was relieved when it was finally over and I joined Alyssa, who waited on the front steps of a building. I was still damp from the shower, and my wet hair dripped in my face. My muscles were sore and tired, not used to the rigorous practice. I watched Alyssa as she flipped through her notebook, looking at different papers and mumbling to herself.

“Hey, dork,” I greeted her with a lopsided grin.

Alyssa rolled her eyes, a small smile on her face. I sat next to her, and as we waited for our ride, she looked at me and said, “I’m going to drive to campus tomorrow in my car. Do you want to ride with me?”