Page 71 of Even Exchange

“What?!” she shrieks so loudly it almost blows an eardrum.Guess I better get used to it since my new girlfriend’s a cheerleader.“You’re going to be here the entire camp?”

“Yep.” The grin breaks fully free. “Coach Porter was thrilled when I got drafted by Tampa, and he asked me to mentor this year.” Since the university’s coaches aren’t allowed to be here, he wanted to have some eyes on the inside to know how his players are doing.

“How much did you make him beg?” she asks with a brow waggle.

“A decent amount,” I lie.

He didn’t even need to ask twice before I started packing.

“Somehow I totally fumble the ball, and you’re just ready to swipe it up.”

“Well, I am excellent at both footballandbeing your best friend.” My wrist buzzes, and I check the smart watch notification. “I’ve gotta go. My first training starts in ten minutes. We’ll catch up tonight?”

“Yeah.” She grins up at me. “Thank?—”

“Don’t.” I point a finger her way.

“Iappreciateyou.” She winks,terribly, and I laugh.

“Sure, I’ll allow that.”

“I still can’t believe you’re doing this for me.”After all I’ve done, is she really so shocked?

“Mi fai impazzire,” I say, the admission making my stomach swirl even though I know she doesn’t understand.

She narrows her eyes. “Again with the Italian.”

“Guess you should add it to your curriculum.”

* * *

“I thought graduating would end your reign of torture,” Julian groans, sweat dripping off his face.

“Shut up and run,” I tease as they do another fifty-yard side shuffle.

My wrist buzzes, and I glance at it.

Unknown Number

Have a great first day of practice, handsome! Xox Hannah

Seriously?After running into her at the Barracudas’ stadium, she won’t leave me alone. I still don’t know how she got my number—I’m assuming her dad’s phone without his knowledge.

I ignore the notification, as I have the ten before it. Leaving people on read kills me, but she’s crossing a line here. I’m also not about to piss off my new boss, or my newgirlfriend, by making it seem I’m even remotely interested.

A glance at the time, along with the rest of the teams wrapping up, has me blowing my whistle. “Alright, that’s enough for today. Hit the showers.”

They collapse on the field, and I laugh. I’ll admit, I am having fun torturing them instead of being tortured for once.As if I didn’t do a seven-mile run this morning.The suggested cardio of the day was five miles, butMammadidn’t raise no quitter, so I finished the trail near my house before heading to camp.

Charlotte is on the sidelines, hot and flushed, with the CBU cheerleaders.Mostly hot.They’re drinking water and dripping in sweat as the Florida sun beats down on us. I make my way over, ready to get this dating thing on the road.

“Hey,soffione,” I say, and Charlotte turns to face me with an amused expression.

“Well, hey to you too.” She beams.

Her cheermates eye us curiously, and I glance at Andi, who shoots me a wink. I cock my head, signaling for Charlotte to walk to me. She strolls over in black spandex shorts perfectly hugging her curves and a CBU sports bra that shows a beautiful amount of cleavage. A bead of sweat slips down from her collarbone, disappearing between the valley of her breasts, and I take a shaky breath, forcing my eyes away.

Fakedating, I remind myself.

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