Jockblocked: A Novel (Gridiron Book 2)(49)
“Because we’re property and therefore dibbable.”
“Right.” Sutton nods, ignoring my sarcasm. “After warning away the team, he prevents any potential slippage by making sure you have a bad opinion of his teammates. These are all prime, datable alpha males. Girls flock to them but some girls, like you and me, base attractiveness on personality. So if we believe they’re stupid *s likely to cheat, it doesn’t matter how good looking they are. You, especially, are going to slot these players into the ‘no’ column.”
“Your hypothetical doesn’t work because Ace and I have no feelings for each other besides friendship. I’ve known Ace since he was a snot-nosed eight-year-old. Any potential romance between us died out long ago, buried under a pile of bad-smelling clothes.” I tick off a list of reasons why. “Ace didn’t learn about deodorant until he was way past puberty. When I think of Ace, I don’t think dreamy male, I think of his constant farting in the fifth grade. He thought it hilarious to point his gas cannon in my face.” Sutton wrinkles her nose. “Exactly, thank you. I had to complain to his mother before he stopped. Plus, he has horrible taste in movies. Do you know what he wants me to see this Thursday?”
“No. I’m scared, though.” She looks alarmed.
“You should be. Expendables 3. Need I say more?”
“Okay, but these are all the reasons you’re not in love with Ace, which I believe 100% because I don’t get any vibe that you like him, which is why I sorta can buy into your ‘Matty isn’t my type’ thing. But none of those are reasons why Ace isn’t in love with you.”
“Does a guy who’s in love with someone else bring a girl home and try to screw her in front of said love interest?”
Sutton bobs her head back and forth. “Fair enough. But maybe he’s one of those tortured, Byronic heroes who can’t stop hurting everyone around him because he’s in so much pain himself.”
“Oh, Lord, Sutton. You definitely think with the creative parts of your brain.” I throw up my hands. “You’re conjuring up a scenario that doesn’t exist.”
“How is that different than what you’re doing with Matty? All your excuses about not dating him involve things that haven’t happened. You don’t have any proof he cheated on someone. So he enjoys the ladies. Big whooping deal. In fact, didn’t you say he dated someone his freshman year and it broke up because he didn’t pay enough attention to her? That’s not the same as cheating on her. It’s not like you want some guy breathing down your neck. You’ve got a lot of shit on your plate. It would be a relief to go out with someone who’s as busy as you,” Sutton argues. “Plus, you spent the night with him and he didn’t even make a move. That doesn’t say player to me. He’s totally respected all your boundaries. I know you like to play it safe, but right now, honey? You’re being chicken.”
She’s right. There is a difference between being cautious and being cowardly. I grab my head. “I keep going around and around in my mind about this. You’re right. He doesn’t come off like a guy who just wants to get into some girl’s pants.”
“So why are you holding back? Why are you punishing yourself?”
Sutton’s practically echoing Matt’s words. Sounds like your risk assessments keep you from having fun as opposed to keeping you safe.
“You look stressed, Goldie.”
My head whips up and there’s Matt standing outside of the small university bookstore at the south end of campus. Sutton and I have walked nearly two miles arguing about Matt and I’m just now realizing it.
“This is a goddamned sign,” Sutton hisses in my ear. “You can’t escape this, Lucy. A higher power is conspiring to get you two naked. Give in or the apocalypse is coming.” She backs away without even introducing herself to Matty. “I’m blaming you if the zombies come,” she yells and starts running in the other direction.
He lifts his T-shirt to his nose. “Do I stink?”
“No. Sutton had an emergency.” A meddling emergency.
“Your roommate,” he identifies. “Not the one I have class with but the other one? Which one is taking up my spot on your lease?”
My lips quirk up. I can hardly believe he remembers what we talked about our first night together. But then it was only a week ago. Still, how many guys remember their flirtations in such detail? “That would be Sutton. Charity and I had a class our freshman year and we met Sutton in the fall. She had problems with her roommate, and an apartment over on Oak came open.”
“Good call.” He nods approvingly. “I’ve heard Oak’s a nice place.”
“Were you getting a study aid?” I tip my head toward the bookstore.
“Nope. Buying some guy porn.” He holds up the latest Ludlum thriller. Under the pretense of inspecting the book, I let my eyes drink him in. He looks like a modern day James Dean. Black leather coat unzipped over a dark blue Warriors T-shirt. His eyes are as blue as an untouched robin’s egg. Jeans barely contain his powerful legs. Black boots finish off the bad-boy look.
It doesn’t help anyone that his long hair is mussed from the beanie that’s half hanging out of the right coat pocket.
And I kind of hate that my heart sings and sighs at the sight of him. But I’m done fighting my attraction to him. What’s the point? I’m in college. I’m supposed to have fun. He’s not the same kind of bad as drinking five shots of tequila at a frat party. He might feel as heady, might make me just as reckless, but I’m not going into any coma after having sex with him.