Cocky Striker - Evan Grace
Chapter One
Chance
“I can’t believe this is your last year of college.” Mom cups my face in her hands. “My baby boy is all grown up.”
I roll my eyes and pull her into a hug. “I love you, you crazy woman.” She climbs in, and I kiss her cheek one more time before closing the door to my dad’s Land Cruiser.
She rolls down her window. “Study hard, try not to party too hard, and”—she drops her voice down to a whisper—“wear condoms.” Mom then gives me a goofy smile while rolling her window back up.
Dad chuckles from beside me. “Princess, you’re a nut.” He turns to me. His blue eyes that are identical to mine begin to shine bright. “You’ve made us so proud, bud. Make sure you live up your last year.”
“Why are you both getting all deep on me? Are you sick? Is Mom?” Fuck, I didn’t think about that. What if something’s wrong?
He laughs. “No, I promise. We’re both good. I’m just proud of you and how well you’ve done these past three years. I know you’re no angel, but your grades have always been excellent and your soccer game has always been on point. It makes us proud that you handle your business, but you’re having a good time too.”
Out of the two of them, Dad’s always been the more lenient one—maybe because he says I am just like him, or how he was when he was my age. He pulls me into a backslapping hug. “I love you, Son.”
I slap his back. “I love you too.”
As he walks around the front end, he announces, loudly, “Remember to wrap it up.” His booming laugh causes me to shake my head. Who am I kidding? Both of my parents are nuts.
My baby sister comes up, throwing her arms around me. Bree is my mom’s mini-me and is just as tiny as she is. She’s two years younger than I am, but we’ve always been close.
“Keep an eye on those crazy people who created us.” I kiss the top of her head.
She smiles up at me. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“You realize I’m only two and half hours away, right?”
“I know, but you’ll be busy with school and soccer. I guess I could always come visit. Check out your hot frat brothers.”
I shove her playfully. “They’re all dogs—stay away from them.” I open the back door for her. Bree giggles as she climbs in. She loves fucking with me. Truth is, she goes for guys who are the complete opposites of my brothers—they usually have beards, hang out at poetry readings, and are almost always vegan.
My family rolls down the windows as they begin to pull away. I shake my head as they all shout their goodbyes to me; my sister and mother wave like lunatics as they drive away.
“Chance, what’s up brother?” my buddy Jace crosses the street coming to me. We exchange the typical half handshake, half hug.
“Not much, man. I’m sure you saw the parentals just left. When did you get here?” We walk across the street and up to the doors of our frat house, Pi Beta Pi.
“Last night. I still can’t believe you’re not living here this year. It won’t be the same without you,” Jace says as we step inside.
“Yeah, I know, but I think it’s just better this way. I’m staying across the street so I’ll always be close.”
It was an easy decision, honestly, to move out of the house after last year. The guys are great, and they’re my brothers, but I’ve always lived with someone, and I’m honestly looking forward to having my own space.
Soccer practice starts tomorrow, and it’s kind of nice being on campus about a week before the other students arrive. Prior to classes it’s usually just the athletes and the marching band that are on campus.
Jace and I make the rounds saying hey to everyone. I don’t see my best friend/brother, Trey, yet and decide to walk back to my place. My apartment being across the street makes it feel like I still live at the house, but I have my privacy.
My Harley, my pride and joy, sits at the curb in front of the brick building, the sun shining down on her black paint and chrome. I got my love for riding from my dad. He helped me find her, fix her up, and get her running. It’s not unusual for him and me to hop on our bikes and ride for hours.
I dig my keys out