Page 87 of Trust Me Always

Heat.

It slithers down my spine and back up, tingling the nape of my neck the way a blush might, but I’m not blushing.

There’s absolutely zero reason why I would be.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Alister

She’s watching him,and the worst part is I’m not even sure she realizes it, but she is.

He runs through the cones, his footwork somehow graceful despite his massive frame. Just like with the ladder drills, he starts slow, showing me how to follow, what moves to make first, how the bend in my knee can determine my speed and overall delivery, things I’ve heard before, but watching someone his size do this? Coach clearly knew what he was doing when he tasked him with helping me, forcing me to take note of where I have to improve.

With each pass through, Brady speeds up, and not once does he trip over what must be a size-thirteen shoe.

This shit is effortless for him and I’m over here knocking over cones and messing up the setup. Again, I fuck up, this time sending the cone flying in the air on purpose. Of course, that gets her to look my way, and I try not to make it too obvious she’s in my line of sight.

It’s hard to do when his number is draped across her, and if she were to turn, I know I’d find his name on her back because I have the same sweatshirt stuffed in the bag to her right.

Allana used to wear my letterman’s jacket all the time, and I wonder if Cameron understands what doing such a thing like wearing a name or number means to a man. She probably does, since she’s been around football players most her life.

But she’s never loved or been loved by one in that way, so maybe not.

Allana was always proud to show my name and number off, even though she was a year older than me. That first year she was here at Avix, my senior year of high school, she came back several times, mostly during holiday breaks, but she managed to make a few of my senior season games, and each time, she’d have my name or number written across her in some way. I’m not really sure when she started being unfaithful and stringing me along; all I know is, when I showed up on campus that first year, she was already cheating because she didn’t come home that summer.Summer schoolshe’d said.

I should have seen the signs.

I should have let her go instead of doing what I did and allowing my hurt to turn to anger, then taking it out on other people—on the girl I think could have loved me the way I know I could have loved her.

My eyes slide to Cameron, but guilt has me quickly looking away. That damn hoodie swallows her whole.

The worst part is there’s no one to blame for that but myself. Too bad that fact doesn’t make this any easier.

When I first saw her here, I was excited. That lasted all of ten minutes when we stopped jogging around the room as a warm-up and her eyes no longer warmed my skin but rather shifted over to him.

I can understand why. It’s like I said—he’s effortless in his movements, his body fluid for a man his size, and he is abigfucker.

I’m not small, and I put a lot more time in the gym than I’d like to admit, but next to him I feel like the Robin to his Batman.

“You’ve got it down, man. Stop stressing.”

“I need to shave another second off my release. If I can’t do that, I’m never going to get a chance to fire the ball down field against Brighton on Saturday.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Come on, Lancaster.” I shake my head, running my hands through my sweaty hair before wiping my palms on my shorts.I don’t hold back my concerns. That will do us no good. “We both know we’re not getting much for rushing yards against their defense. We’re strong in receivers, but our running backs are lacking compared to theirs. Wehaveto play a passing game to stand a chance at winning,” I stress. “That means if I don’t cut time off my own performance, the line will be broken through, and I’ll be on my ass, upping that asshole Jetson’s stats for every sack they make.”

Brady grimaces, reality setting in. “Fuck.”

I scoff. “Yeah. How’d you like to lose your lead in the division to that guy when he’s playing your own damn team?”

He scratches his neck, his face tight in thought before his eyes meet mine. “I’ve got an idea, but you might have to back me up here.”

“I’m all ears, man. I’ve hardly touched the field this season, and with Mason coming back next week, who knows when I’ll get to play again after tomorrow? I need all the highlight reels I can get.”

Brady looks off before bringing his gaze back to mine. “You’re doing good, Alister. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not,” he forces out, but it’s easy to see it’s not because he is incapable of giving a compliment. No, it’s another reason entirely—that and the man really doesn’t want to like me on principle. “Just…keep your head up and all that.” His features tighten again as he looks at me, but he sighs a moment later, his shoulders falling as he heads toward the girl I want to call mine.

I stand there, staring, as he grabs her hand and hauls her to her feet like she’s nothing but a feather, her smile bright, hair now piled on her head.

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