Jockblocked: A Novel (Gridiron Book 2)(57)

Hammer backs away. “Why don’t you put your guns away. We don’t have to talk about it right now. We can table it.” I look down and see my hands curled into fists. “I do have some advice about Lucy, though. First, you should admit your feelings to her. Girls love feelings. They love talking about their feelings. So tell her that she makes you think of birds and flowers.”

“Birds and flowers?” I gape at him. The last thing I think of when it comes to Lucy is birds and flowers. Big words, long blond hair, yes. Delicate, fluttery things? No.

“Second,” he continues as if I’m not even here. In fact, is he dictating into his phone? “Don’t ever mention that you had sex in the past. It’s good to be experienced but not too experienced. You want to be the gentleman in the streets, but the guy who can get his freak on—because you read it in a book—in the sheets. Third—”

I hold up my hand before Hammer can go on. “No, sorry. I don’t listen to your advice anymore.”

He looks hurt. “Why not? I’m a professional.”

“Your articles consist of how to recognize when your type is the * and what to do next and how to enjoy yourself when your partner is selfish, which have zero to do with dating.”

“They have everything to do with dating,” Hammer protests.

“If you have a vagina, which I don’t. I’m asking Masters.”

“Wait a second. Masters? Dude was a virgin six months ago.”

“And now he’s married.”

I run upstairs to the third-floor apartment and pound on the door. It swings open a minute later, and Ellie steps out, flushed. “Bye, babe.”

Masters is right behind her sporting sleepy eyes and a smug-as-shit smile. They just had sex.

“Ellie, just the person I want to talk to. I’m going over to a girl’s place. Should I bring something?”

“I don’t know. What’s the context?”

“We’re just hanging out.” Hopefully having sex later so I can wear the same smug-as-shit smile.

“Yeah, I’d definitely bring something. Maybe something to drink. A snack even. If you’re hungry, bring something for yourself.”

I know exactly what I’ll bring. “Thanks.”

Hammer’s at the base of the stairs looking offended. “I could have given you that advice.”

“Dude, fine. Next time I need some advice on obscure phrases for sex, I’ll come to you. Now get out of the way. I need to throw some clothes on and get to the Brew House.”



* * *



“Hey, ladies.”

Two girls, one with purple hair who I saw walking with Luce the other day and a brunette, stand just inside the entrance to Luce’s apartment. Both faces hold a certain amount of skepticism, as if opening the door wider might let in a host of demons, not just one dude.

“I’m Sutton, this is Charity.” The purple-haired girl tips her head toward the brunette.

“Nice to meet you. I brought coffee.” I hold up the cardboard beverage container. “I wasn’t sure what you all wanted but the Brew House said Lucy usually drinks a sugar-free peppermint mocha. I got the fully leaded for you guys.”

“You went to the Brew House and asked what she likes to drink?” Sutton’s eyebrows shoot high onto her forehead.

Shit, have I made a mistake here? Should I have played it cooler? “Too stalkerish?”

“Too awesome.” Sutton drags me inside and slams the door shut.

“What else did you bring?” the girl with enough rings on her fingers to start a jewelry store asks. She takes the beverage holder from my hand, and Sutton reaches for the bag under my arm.

“He brought sugar-free ice cream,” announces Sutton.

The two stare at me like I’ve got two heads.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask with slight alarm. I look down to check whether my zipper is shut. Yup, the barn door is closed.

“Did you really bring over a container of sugar-free ice cream and a skinny latte with sugar-free flavoring?

I take a sip. “It tastes okay.” Fuck, coffee is disgusting but this is for Luce, so I’m suffering through it.

“What are you?”

“Are you real?”

Their skepticism is disconcerting. “I think the real question is what kind of guys are you dating that this is a phenomenon rather than an ordinary occurrence.”

Fortunately, Luce blows in before the two can dissect me any further. “Here.” I shove the drink into her hands. “For you.”

“Thanks.” She takes a deep sip and hands the drink back to me along with her backpack.

“How was mock trial?” Sutton asks.

“Terrible. Heather seems to have forgotten everything. I was off my game and kept missing objections. Emily was completely rattled and Randall had to leave the room four times to keep from yelling at us. I don’t get Heather. She’s like two different people. One day she performs flawlessly and two days later it’s like she doesn’t even remember that she’s on the team.”

“Maybe she’s a twin. My former teammate Masters has an identical twin. They used to do twin switches on us all the time.” I take Lucy’s coat and hang it on the hook, placing mine on top of it. There. It’s my jacket covering hers. Not Ace’s. Not the Ken doll’s from the coffee store. Mine.