Page 19 of Forever Cursed

“I was on a secret mission, but I can take a break.” Zack stretches like he wasn’t just lounging on a pool floaty, drinking a fruity cocktail out of a crazy straw.

Whatever secret mission he was on, I don’t think he was succeeding at it.

“Secret mission?” Miles dares to ask.

“Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal. Don’t worry, your cute little head over it,” Zack says while scanning the perimeter.

“Mr. FBI, have you seen your sister?” I ask, knowing damn well his demeanor is about to take a nose dive.

“I refuse to look.” Zack found a random pair of black aviator sunglasses and avoids looking across the pool. “But if I find outanyonewas googly eyeing her, I will end you.” He does theI’m watching youmotion to the two rookies, and they drop their pervy gazes instantly.

“I would run if I were you because she’s coming.” Miles chuckles.

Everyone but Zack looks over as Chrissy saunters toward us.

“Rome, do me a solid.” Zack grabs me by my shoulder, earning my attention. “Don’t let any of these drooling mouthpieces make a move on my sister.”

“You got it.” I give him a thumbs-up, and he nods.

Zack jumps back into the pool and swims for his post to resume his “secret mission.”

“Hey, boys. Is he okay?” Chrissy asks and nods toward Zack.

Noting her concern, I turn around with a wide grin. “He just needs to cool off,” I say, darting toward Levi, whose eyes are glued to Chrissy’s chest.

Clearing my throat, I wrap my arm around his shoulder to shake him out of whatever trance he’s in.

“Have you met the new guys? This is Levi, and that’s Chris.” Fucking freshmen, you put a pretty girl in front of them, and they go numb.

“I love freshmen. They’re so adorable,” Chrissy coos as she squeezes Chris’s cheeks.

“Will we see you at any of the games?” Levi chokes out.

I hold back my eye roll, and Chrissy smirks. “Absolutely. I’ve got to cheer on the team’s all-star.” She nudges my arm.

“Since when do you care about football?” I ask.

“Since my new friend is a football player,” she says as a matter of fact. “I know nothing about the sport, though. I’ll need some tutoring before the first game.”

“I can help!” Levi volunteers.

“Aw, thank you,” Chrissy coos while ruffling his hair. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to go to the little girls’ room.” Chrissy skips away, either fully aware or completely ignorant of all the eyes on her.

“Rome, is she your?—”

I storm off before Chris can finish his question.

When she passes him, Malik tries to follow her, but I place my hand on his shoulder and firmly squeeze it.

“Fuck off, Malik,” I hiss.

Normally, I wouldn’t talk to my QB like that, but my rage is fuming, and he’s on my warpath. Chrissy is gorgeous, and she has every man here under her thumb. I won’t let them near her, though, even if it means I become an asshole in the process.

Chapter Ten

Chrissy

Gwen is a fucking genius. I avoided him during the party because absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz. I went up to him because I felt him watching me, and I got selfish. I would have stayed longer, but the wine coolers and bottles of water I’ve been drinking are expanding my bladder to an uncomfortable level.

---