Jockblocked: A Novel (Gridiron Book 2)(83)

“About what?” I’m still a little dazed from the kiss.

“The unsexiest thing you can think of.”

“How’s Ace?”

Matty shoots me a dark look. “That’ll do it.” He sighs, leans his head back and relaxes against the seat. “He’s okay. Coach hasn’t moved him yet.”

“When do you think that’ll happen?”

“When Barr gets here in the summer.” He sneaks another glance at me. “You guys still hanging out?”

“Not really. He’s texted, but we…I don’t think he’s happy.” Ace hasn’t really said anything since he stomped out of my apartment on Signing Day. Absent a few texts, our communication has been brief. He hasn’t come over to the house, and I haven’t encouraged it. It’s sad, like the last part of my childhood is being severed from me, but I can’t give up Matty just to appease Ace’s petulance.

“About us?”

“About everything.”

“Let’s talk about something else? Mock trial?” He looks over as I make a face and an unhappy sound. “Okay, striking mock trial off the list.”

“What are you thinking about for your mom?”

“I dunno. That’s why you’re here. It was either you or Hammer, and I didn’t want to listen to another of his lists.”

I smother a grin. “What are some of her hobbies?”

“Hmm. She likes to read but she already just buys everything she wants, so I’ve got to be creative.”

Matty and I decide to shop first. We stop in at a jewelry store. “How much do you want to spend?”

He shrugs. “Under five?”

I point out a couple of necklaces, lingering over one that has a circle with a small pearl in the middle. It’s delicate and lovely.

“Let’s see that one,” Matty says.

“This is a beautiful piece.” The sales lady flips open a black velvet pad and drapes the gold necklace across it.

“I think I need to see it on.” He picks it up and gestures for me to turn around.

“Your mom is four inches taller than me,” I protest, worried that if I see it around my neck, I’ll want to keep it.

“So? You both have necks right?”

I can’t argue with that. I lift my hair and Matty hooks it in the back. The gold sparkles in the brightly lit store.

“We’ll take it.” He hands over the card to the store clerk. I start to take it off, but Matty grabs my arm. “I heard you had a birthday.” His smile is bright, his words an echo of mine.

“In May.”

He tugs my hand away from my neck and curls his fingers around my own so I can’t remove the necklace. He gives a chin nod to the clerk who scuttles off to run Matty’s credit card before we can change our minds.

“What about your mom?” I ask, my hand still under his.

“I bought her a Fitbit already. I know I forgot Valentine’s Day.”

“Matthew…”

He laughs and catches me up in a hard embrace. He dips his head and kisses my neck, catching both chain and flesh under his lips. “I’ve missed all your previous birthdays, Christmases and Valentine’s Day, so this is something small. Don’t tell me you don’t want it because you’ll hurt my feelings.”

“I highly doubt that, but thank you. It is too much.” I saw the price tag, and this is definitely the most expensive piece of anything I’ve ever owned besides the laptop my dad surprised me with when I graduated.

“I wanted to.” He kisses me again, this time on the lips.

Had I ever thought Matty was a risk? I was such a foolish girl.





30





Matty




“We’ve got a recruit coming,” Coach announces. March has rolled around and we’re halfway through spring practice. I’m antsy for it to be over because it means I’ll have more time to spend with Luce. I’m looking forward to this summer, particularly grateful that she’s a townie and will be here with me because I’m getting tired of Coach’s shit. It’s eroding my love for the game. “You and Ace are going to show him a good time.”

I’ve spent more time in Coach’s office since the National Championship game than I had in all four years prior. I’m getting sick of the leather chairs, the nice carpet, and frankly, his goddamn face.

“Isn’t this guy a linebacker?” Ace asks sarcastically. “Mr. Texas isn’t here yet.”

Ace’s attitude toward Coach borders on insubordination. It’s definitely insolent, but what the hell? It’s not like Ace has a lot to lose. I feel sorry for him. I really do, but then I think about the shit he vomited all over me a couple weeks ago. I still can’t convince Luce to spend the night with me. She doesn’t want to hurt little Ace’s feelings, even though I sense a serious amount of distance between the two of them.

I’m guessing Ace had a throw down with her, much like he had with me. Like me, she didn’t take it well. Unlike me, she kinda cares.

There’s something highly ironic about the fact I’m pretty much begging her to stay with me but she keeps turning me down. If I want to sleep with her, I have to do it in her apartment, in her tiny-ass bed that’s about as comfortable as sleeping on my yoga mats. Which is to say, not f*cking comfortable. We only do it when I’m desperate. So like three, four times a week.