now. So, he’s clearly talking to me.
“Yes, Coach?” I respond.
“Go work with the new quarterback,” he replies, pointing at the new guy.
I nod and switch directions, walking over to where the quarterbacks are practicing with Coach Stevens. “Coach sent me here,” I tell Stevens the moment I arrive.
Coach Stevens looks at me for a second too long; he’s never really liked me. Then again, most people don’t. “I need you to do some drills with Lincoln,” he replies.
“Who’s Lincoln?” I ask, just to be petty.
The new QB1 clears his throat. “Me,” he responds.
“Oh, yeah, I can. What do you want me to do?” I ask Stevens.
“Just run different routes and catch the ball,” he instructs.
I smile. “You know I’ve never had any issues catching the ball, just make sure the new rookie doesn’t screw up the pass,” I reply cockily.
“Shut up, Hunter,” Coach Stevens admonishes. “Ignore him. His mouth doesn’t do him any favors,” he adds.
“Alright, let’s do this,” I tell them, ready to end this interaction.
We walk away from where Coach Stevens is going over the playbook with the backup quarterback, Mersier. He’s been the backup for two years now and has never needed to play because my brother never needed him. He may have to with this new quarterback though, so he may as well be ready.
We practice a few drills and I’ve gotta say he’s not half bad. Granted, we can’t judge that on throwing some perfect spirals on an empty field. It’s how he acts on game day that’ll make all the difference.
Some may say I hate the new guy and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. I don’t trust him. I don’t trust this team to be good enough without the guys we lost. I trust me to kick ass but I can’t catch if the passes aren’t being sent my way. This freshman has never played a game outside of high school and he’s somehow expected to take over for my brother. Mersier would be a better choice at this point.
This guy just came out of nowhere, surpassing our backup for the starting role.
I hate that.
Hate when guys skip the whole red shirt year and get right on the team. I mean, I did that. Still, it usually comes with a cocky attitude, I should know.
I can’t even read him.
Did I mention he’s already being extra weird? When we all arrived at Bragan for practice, he said he wouldn’t be joining us by living at the Football House.
Even when we told him that it was kind of a requirement, he just shrugged it off. He didn’t bother offering an explanation, just plainly refused to follow tradition. To do things the way they’ve always been done. So yeah, I kind of hate the guy. There’s a room in the house for him anyway but it’s just a waste of space. I’m about to start using it to store my practice clothes. That way, if he ever comes, he’ll get a nice welcoming smell.
“Ten and out!” he yells and I do as I’m told. The football spirals right into my hands for a perfectly-timed catch.
“Good job! Let’s call it for today,” Coach Stevens shouts then turns around and walks away.
Lincoln heads over to where I am and extends his hand. “Good catch,” he says.
I shake his mostly because the future of my NFL career sort of depends on him. “Good throw. Hopefully, you can do that in an actual game,” I can’t help but quip.
“I guess we’ll see,” he says knowingly, and then we’re all walking toward the locker room.
The moment I reach my locker I pull out my phone. I go look through my messages and instantly find the one I’m looking for. The one that tells me she’ll be back on campus in a couple of weeks. Good.
AMELIA KING
“So, when do you think you’ll be free again?” he asks as he finishes putting his shirt on. I stop myself from frowning at the fact that I can’t see the muscles on his back anymore.
“I’ll let you know,” I tell him, half distracted by the mere presence of him in my room.
He turns toward me and gives me the childish smirk I’ve come to know. “Soon?”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
“Alright, well…” he looks around the room, then his eyes find mine. “I’m out.” He watches me for a few seconds then his mouth opens to say something. Thinking better of it, he shakes his head and walks out of the room.
It’s 2 am.
He’s probably going to a party