First Down (Beyond the Play, #1)(17)

If you asked me while we were dating, I’d have said Darryl would never truly hurt me.

But then again, I never thought my father would hurt my mother, and he destroyed her.

He steps so close my heart jumps into my throat, a flat look in his eyes I absolutely hate to see, and pulls me in again, his fingers gripping my wrists so tightly I cry out. “You’re going to wish you didn’t say that, sweetheart.”

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the burning of my eyes.

After a handful of seconds that stretch out into what feels like an eternity, he shoves me backward. I stumble, watching as he stalks away. I clasp a shaking hand over my mouth, trying to swallow down the shock and hurt.

I should go back inside, get back to work, but I can’t make myself move. A tear makes its way down my cheek, and I wipe it away roughly.

No crying, even though my wrists are aching.

Two things are clear. One, I can’t believe I ever had feelings for that asshole. And two, I need a new plan, because obviously he’s not going away.

I need James.





10





JAMES





Winning is always fun, but the first home win of the season is something else. The turnout was incredible; every seat in McKee’s massive stadium was filled. Between the marching band and the shouting from the student section, I could barely hear the referees. I’m still hopped up on adrenaline an hour later, ready to celebrate with the team.

“There’s a bar in town,” Bo says as we gather up our duffels and head outside. “Red’s. You coming?”

“I won’t drink, but yeah, I’m coming.”

“Sweet.” He hollers the same question to Demarius, who gives us a thumbs up from across the parking lot. “There’s always a ton of girls there after a win, so if you’re looking to hook up, you won’t have any trouble.”

“Good to know.”

Not that I plan on it. One, because I don’t want to create false expectations for some poor girl, and two, because the only one I’ve been fantasizing about lately is Bex. I’ve tried not to—it’s not like anything is going to happen—but whenever I rub one out, she’s who I picture. Her fantastic tits. The way her nose scrunches up when she’s frustrated. The pouty curve of her lips.

Fuck. I need to figure out a way to put a stop to this, especially if she’s going to be my tutor.

“There he is,” Coop says as he walks toward me. He hugs me, then steps back so Seb can do the same. “Great game, bro.”

I smile. “Didn’t know you came.”

“The perks of having an afternoon scrimmage. Which I crushed, by the way. I’m ready to relax.”

“I’m heading to a bar, want to come?”

“Red’s?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Sweet,” says Seb. “That place is great. I’m down.”

“Same,” says Cooper. “Maybe I’ll see Elle.”

“That girl from the sorority party? I thought you didn’t do more than one hookup.” Seb knocks his shoulder into Cooper’s.

“I don’t.” He grins. “But that doesn’t mean she can’t try.”

I roll my eyes as I get into my car. “Show me where to go.” I wrestle my phone out of my jeans pocket, unlock it, and toss it to Coop. “Do I have any messages? Didn’t get a chance to check, ESPN wanted to do a live interview right after the game ended.”

He snorts. “Only you could make that sound casual. And yeah, Mom and Dad texted. Ooh, and someone else.”

“Who?” I try to sneak a peek while we’re at a red light, but Coop holds the phone to his chest.

“Look, Seb.” He hands the phone over to Seb, who whistles.

“I regret this,” I mutter. “Who is it?”

“It’s that girl,” says Seb. “Beckett.”

My heart thumps extra hard in my chest. “Beckett Wood?”

“Do you know more than one Beckett?”

“What’s it say?”

“She wants to talk.”

“That’s it?”

Seb and Coop exchange a glance. “Should there be more?” Coop asks.

“I mean, no.” I make a right at Coop’s direction. “But since she wouldn’t let me just hire her, I’ve been trying to figure out her price.”

“Oh, good,” says Seb. “Especially since you went ahead and lied about her being your tutor.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Maybe she wants you to hook up with her,” Coop muses. “As payment, I mean.”

I think back to our conversation after that first class. I pretty much stomped on any chances of that happening. “Dude, I’m not going to sleep with my tutor.”

“What? She’s hot.”

“And my teammate’s ex.”

Coop waves his hand. “Doesn’t count because they broke up before you got here.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t see it that way.”

“Well, he’s an idiot anyway.”

I park the car in a lot down the street from Red’s and heave out a sigh. “Won’t argue that point.”