Page 37 of Playing for the Dark

It’s not a booty call,Djale I Bukur.But if you want it to be… it can. *winking face emoji

1 I let the message sit on read for a minute. I would like to celebrate; that should be what I’m doing, but I know there would’ve been girls all over me tonight, and I only want one girl on me…

Ellie.

After that run-in with Marcello, though, I’ve tried avoiding her at all costs. He’s a very scary man that I do not want any problems with. No matter how much it feels like my heart has been pulled out and stomped on, I’m not risking pissing him off even more than I have.

The least I can do is hang out with Zamir. I feel bad for ignoring him more this week too, but I think he’s even worse off than me when it comes to Ellie.

I throw on a dingy T-shirt I had lying on my bed to go with my sweats and socks and don’t even bother to put shoes on. I sulk out of my apartment and knock on Zamir’s door.

He opens the door and looks me up and down; a look of concern passes his face, and he has me in a bear hug before I can eventell him I’m fine.

“What’s wrong with you, Nash?” His tone is beyond serious.

“Nothings wro—” I cut myself off because sitting at his island is the last person I need to be seen around. Ellie. That causes that spot in my heart to feel again, but fuck I can’t be here right now. I go to turn around and walk away, but Zamir grabs me by the back of my shirt and hauls me into his apartment. “Z, I can’t be here while she’s here.”

He tilts his head to the side like a curious dog would and asks, “Why the hell not, Rookie? You just harmed the Devils on the field tonight, and that is cause to celebrate.”

I’m already shaking my head while trying to come up with a lie to get me out of Zamir’s apartment. If Marcello sees me in here, he’s going to have my head.Literally.

“I have bubble guts. Gotta go back to my place. Now!” I turn around, grab the door handle, and jerk his door open. And just for shit and giggles, I grab my ass like I’m really about to shit myself on Zamir’s pristine floor. I holler over my shoulder, “Thanks for the invite, though.”

Speed walking to my door, I hope like hell I don’t run into Marcello out here in the hallway. I just told the guy I’m pining after that I was going to shit on his floor, but all I’m worried about is not pissing off the big boss man. I don’t know why Zamir gets to be around EIlie, and I can’t, but I’m also not sticking around to findout.

Waking up the next morning in my big-ass empty bed, in my even bigger empty apartment, I remember how I made a fool of myself last night. Pulling my phone out from under my pillow, the bright-ass light causes me to squint.

Mi Amor

I hope you’re feeling better today, Big Boy.

Yep, for sure made a goddamn fool of myself… Another message vibrates in from her. I hate not responding, but it’s what’s best for both of us.

As much as it pains me to say, I miss you. I don’t know what switch flipped in you, but can you flip it back now? I want to see you.

With that, I leave her on read, jump in the shower, throw on some joggers and a tee, and head towards the local bookstore. I need to escape my own reality, clearly. I pick up a few popular memoirs and a few fiction books. I look down at my buzzing phone again. Goddammit, now Zamir’s about to be up my ass.

#1 Receiver

What was that about last night, Nash?

Why did you say you couldn’t be around Ellie?

Fuck did you give her a STI or something?!

What does he take me for? He knows we get tested all the time for the league. Not to mention Ellie was the first person I’d had sex with without a condom on.

Nash

No, Zamir. I didn’t give her a STI.

Last week was an absolute blur. I kept my head down, training and ingraining every last play into my brain. Zamir and I were clearly working like a well-oiled machine on the field last night, sweeping the Devils like we did. I’ve been completely ignoring him outside of football, and I can tell it’s eating him alive. But with him comes Ellie, and I clearly can’t have that. I guess I should tell Zamir why I can’t be around her, or he won’t stop. He’s very persistent when he wants his info.

#1 Receiver

Okay? Well then, what has you acting like you have a stick up yourass?

Another text comes through. I roll my eyes but also find myself grinning.

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