Page 17 of Necessary Roughness
“We’re not taking no for an answer,” Jayden said, opening my closet and thumbing through outfits.
“Fine,” I said. “But only because I know you two won’t leave me alone if I stay home.”
“Exactly!” Jayden said. “We’re persistent.”
“Persistent like a mosquito,” I muttered.
“If you mean I’m good at sucking,” Jayden said with a wink, “then yes.”
Bryson groaned. “Bro, can you not?”
Ten minutes later, we were walking out of my apartment complex. There was a trickle of students heading in the same direction as us, which became a steady stream as we neared the stadium where the Westview College Wildcats played their football games. Bryson led us around the side to the student entrance. We flashed our IDs, then shuffled into the student section occupying the entire space behind one of the end zones.
“Aren’t you glad you’re here?” Jayden said, putting an arm around me. “It’s a beautiful day.”
I had to admit: itwasnice now that we were here. The sky was an impossibly gorgeous shade of blue, with a scattering of fluffy white clouds. It was a rare Florida day where the humidity was low, so the heat was refreshing rather than oppressive.
“Thanks for dragging me along,” I said.
Jayden gave me a kiss on the cheek. “This is good for you. Get used to going to stuff without that asshole, Troy.”
“And if you’re embarrassed during the player introductions?” Bryson added. “You can close your eyes and wait for it to be over.”
“He says that toallthe girls,” Jayden quipped.
“Why would I be embarrassed by the player introductions?” I asked.
“Because of what happened Thursday night.” Bryson furrowed his brow at me. “You know. With Knox and Logan.”
“I don’t understand…”
I trailed off as the Wildcats football team came running out of the tunnel on the field. Eighty thousand fans all roared with approval, full of life and hope for a new season.
And then the jumbotron across the field showed the headshot of the team quarterback, along with a bunch of statistics.
KNOX MADDOX
NUMBER 5
It was impossible not to recognize that chiseled jawline and winning smile.
“That’s… that’s…” I stammered in disbelief. When words failed me, I pointed.
“One of the studs you almost hooked up with the other night,” Jayden said. “We know. You don’t have to rub it in.”
“There’s Logan,” Bryson pointed down on the field. “Number seventy, on the sideline.”
Oh my God. ThatwasLogan.
“I still can’t believe you almost had a threesome with two of the most popular guys on campus,” Jayden said. “That’s, like, the first item on my bucket list. Being the meat in a sweaty football player sandwich…”
“Bro,” Bryson snapped.
I swallowed the bile that was rising in the back of my throat. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
7
Sloane
