Page 24 of 3rd and 4
“Why?”
Jenna rests her elbows on her desk and looks at me with regret. “Shaye was under the impression I was going to give her the featured performer spot. She heard me talking about it with last year’s performer. If she had eavesdropped a little longer, she would have known that I created that position for you. Gabby was my guinea pig. She and Addy worked well together, and I knew if I could get you two together, your synchronicity would be so much more than I could ever predict. And I was right.”
“Toot your horn later.” Addy growls.
“I was never going to give it to Shaye. She’s a solid cheerleader, but she didn’t have anything that made her stand out. And she’s difficult to work with.”
“And psychotic.” I pat Addy’s hand again, squeezing to calm him. “I’m just saying…” he mutters.
“I put a target on your back and gave three troubled young women someone to use as the focus of their anger. I’m sorry, Daya. Truly sorry.”
“Jenna.” I shake my head and stretch to rest my hand on hers. It’s not easy since Addy won’t let go of me. “It isn’t your fault. You have no reason to apologize. They acted on their own.”
Lilly hands me a note with a name and number on it. “Phia gave this to me to give to you. Haylee Dalton is an exceptional lawyer. They are facing multiple charges. And a harassment suit is warranted if you decide to pursue that.”
I look down at the paper in my hand and lift my head with a grin. “You know, Lilly, between Heacock, Ty, Lyndell, Edee, and now this…you are certainly earning your paycheck this semester.”
She chuckles. “Probably going to have to set up another press conference.”
I yawn, even though it’s still relatively early. Today has been exhausting. “Is there anything else you require from either of us?” Addy asks seriously.
“Not at this time,” Brody assures him. Lilly shakes her head and so does Jenna.
Coach Beiler steps forward, his hand extended to me. “You are an incredible young woman, Daya. I look forward to watching how your college career unfolds.” He pats Addy on the head like a dog. “If you ever need help keeping this guy in line, let me know. I’ll be happy to put him through training camp again.”
Addy smacks Beiler’s hand away. “Get out of here with that shit.” He puts me on my feet, turns me around and picks me up from under my thighs. Naturally, I put my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck, and rest my head on his chest, as he carries me from the office like a toddler. I wave over his shoulder, snuggling in and letting him take care of me.
I was strong during the game. But I’m done. I feel defeated and tired. And he’s warm and smells good. “Hey, Daya.” I let out a sigh and turn my head to see Ty, Edee, Lyn, Phia, and Prib waiting for us down the hall. Edee lifts my bag. “Eva gave me your stuff to give to you.”
Addy loops his arm through it and places his hand back under my butt. “Thank you.”
Prib rubs the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. For some reason, it makes me giggle. “There’s some press outside…and probably elsewhere on campus. There are some recordings making their way across social media.” I want to cry, but I’m too tired.
“You are welcome to stay at one of our places, but my mom suggested staying at a hotel for the night, at least.”
“You told Mama Mary?” Edee nods her head. I close my eyes as a realization hits me. “I’m gonna have to tell my parents. Oh, my God! What if they saw it? What if my dad saw us? Heard you?” Addy rubs my back, distressed unintelligible noises falling from his lips as I start to lose my shit.
“Take her to the hotel.” I bury myself in Addy’s chest and shut down, unable to deal with anymore right now.
Addy 17.
“Daya? Baby, your screen’s lighting up.” I nod to the phone in her hand. She’s been staring at it for more than a minute, but I’m sure she isn’t seeing it. She’s been in a daze since we left the stadium. Here, in the hotel, it’s quiet and just the two of us, but she’s lost in her head and I’m not sure how to help her.
I need to comfort her, though, like an itch beneath my skin. There isn’t a single thing I could have done to prevent this, and yet I feel I’ve let her down. I didn’t protect her. A hundred thousand spectators listened to me talk dirty to her.
I love your little titties.
Fuck. I run a hand through my disheveled hair and tug at the strands. I drop to my knees in front of her. She’s sitting on the small couch in our hotel room, her eyes unfocused, her mind a million miles away…or half a mile, still surrounded by thousands of people who now know how much I like to suck her nipples. I pry her phone from her hands, set it on the couch beside her, and draw her ice-cold hands to my lips.
“At least your words were positive,” she mumbles, her voice barely above a whisper. “You could have demeaned me or made fun of my tiny boobs. You said my nipples were pretty.”
“They are pretty. The most beautiful nipples I’ve ever seen. Ever felt beneath my tongue. They’re the perfect size to suckle.”
“Your dirty talk game is on point.” Her eyes slowly lift to mine, blessedly clear, as a smirk tips her lips. “You should teach a master class.”
“Daya.” I breathe a sigh of relief, dragging her off the couch and into my lap awkwardly. My face in her neck, I greedily suck her scent into my lungs, thankful for the warmth that seeps back into her body.
“We need to call our parents.” I nod, but don’t release her. She chuckles lightly, running her hand over the top of my head, threading her fingers through my hair. “And I have 10 missed calls from my roommate. And a bunch of text messages.” Her voice trails off as she pushes against me to let her go. I loosen my hold enough for her to grab her phone and really look at it this time. “Oh. No.”
