Page 20 of No More Jocks

He took a paper towel and softly dabbed it. He looked up at me; we locked eyes. There were so many things I wanted to express, but I was petrified the feelings wouldn’t be mutual. Out of passion, I always voiced my sentiments first and as a result, put myself in emotional turmoil. I didn’t want a repeat of the past.

“I didn’t run from Bradley because I was afraid. I ran because I can’t get in trouble. Otherwise, I might lose my scholarship.”

“Thank you for sticking up for me,” he said, his voice soft and grateful.

“That’s what men do. They stick up for their boyfriends. It would have been nice to know that your ex was Bradley fucking Simmons, though.”

“Why does that matter?”

“It’s an Aquarius thing. We’re super competitive.”

“Well, Mr. competitive Aquarius boyfriend. I left the theater with you. That should tell you everything you need to know.”

“So, are you saying this boy is all yours?” I said, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Yes, the boy is mine,” Caleb responded, his eyes shining with affection. I pulled him toward me and kissed him. I was no longer a single man. I had my first boyfriend, and his name was Caleb Edmonds.

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12

CALEB

Iusually got home before midnight. I didn’t have a curfew because my parents weren’t strict about when we came in, as long as we didn’t abuse the privileges. After midnight was abusing my freedom without getting prior permission.

I turned my phone on and called my sister and got her voicemail. I left her and my parents text messages telling them I was at a friend’s house. The last thing I needed was for my mother to call 911 because she woke up and didn’t find me in my room the next morning.

I had eleven missed calls and over fifteen texts from Bradley. In the first few texts, he was angry and talking about how he would beat Marcus’s ass, but as the latter text poured in, he apologized and asked me not to have sex with him. I turned off my phone and placed it back in my pocket.

Why did guys always have to fuck up for them to be the man you wanted? Why couldn’t they be sensitive, kind, and caring without the drama?

Bradley texted and called me more tonight than in the last year. He only wanted me because I didn’t want him. I was pulled from my inner thoughts when the hotel desk clerk kept waving her hand and snapping her fingers in my face.

Her long red nails and the smacking of her gum were unprofessional. I would have informed her manager of her behavior in any other situation, but I’d had enough drama for the night.

“Sir, the total is 359.00 for the night,” she said. I handed her my credit card, and she examined it like she’d never seen an American Express Card before.

“Can I see some identification? You look too young to have one of these cards.” I pulled out my ID and handed it to her. She examined my driver’s license and credit card like she was loss prevention at a department store. After a few precious seconds, she handed me my card, receipt, and key cards.

“What time is checkout?”

“Noon.”

“Can I get a late checkout?”

“Sure, how does 1:00 p.m. sound?”

“That’s perfect.”

“Your suite is on the twelfth floor. It’s room 1226. Thank you for choosing Hilton and for being a Hilton Honors member. Have a wonderful stay.” I nodded and walked around the corner to the elevator, where I saw Marcus pacing up and down the foyer like an anxious father awaiting his newborn child.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as we stepped inside the elevator.

“Just a little nervous, that’s all; I’ve never been to a hotel with a guy. Honestly, I’ve never stayed a night in a hotel before.” My mouth dropped. I guess I wasn’t aware of how privileged my life was until I started hanging with Marcus. Marcus lifted the edge of my chin and playfully closed my mouth.

“Sorry; I assumed everyone had been to a hotel before.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Caleb. You weren’t making fun of me. It was a genuine reaction. Most people have been in a hotel room. I just haven’t. There wasn’t a lot of money with my mom being a single mother. That’s why it’s so imperative that I don’t fuck up. Me and my entire family’s future is riding on me and football.”

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