Page 4

My eyes track him as he does a backflip midfield.

I should be taking pictures, but instead my brain is taking snapshots of a man in a furry costume, letting my imagination run wild about all the sweaty, muscular real estate beneath the costume.

It’s been a couple weeks since I ran into him and his brother and, unfortunately, our paths haven’t crossed again.

The universe is fucking with me.

I lost track of him after last week’s game and haven’t seen him on campus.

My head snaps up and I spin around to find the water station.

I haven’t seen Phia today. She’s usually running around before the game getting things ready, a quiet presence on the sidelines during the game. Lyndell is there instead.

I tear myself away from watching Tyrone and approach Lyndell, hoping for some answers. “Hey, Lyndell!”

He greets me excitedly. “I ate broccoli!”

“That’s great!”

“I had to cover it in ranch though. It’s not good. You lied.”

I bark a laugh, “Did not!”

“Did too!” he giggles, accepting a carrier of bottles from one of the trainers to refill.

“Lyndell, do you know where Phia is?”

He bites his bottom lip as he concentrates on refilling the bottles. “Green apple splatters.”

“WHAT?!?”

“She had the green apple splatters and went home. I’m towel boy and waterboy.”

“You are doing a great job!”

“I am.” I laugh at his confidence.

“I’ll let you get back to work, Lyndell. See you later.”

“Good. Good.” I wander down the sideline and notice for the first time the quiet subdued nature of the team.

Especially Prib. There’s an odd tension in the way he holds himself.

And now that I think about it, he hasn’t been as polished this game, like he’s distracted.

He must be concerned about Phia. I mean, don’t get me wrong, having the shits a hundred years ago was a dire situation, but now…

I’m sure she’ll be fine in a day or so. Probably ate something that didn’t agree with her stomach.

I should have gotten her number, then I could check on her. Maybe I’ll find Prib after the game and see if he can give her my number. I’d like to get together with her for lunch or just to hang out. She seems like someone I could be friends with.

After the game, I pack up quickly and park myself outside the locker room to wait for Prib. Tyrone walks out first, fresh and clean from the shower…where he was naked and water dripped down his washboard abs, following a happy little trail to his—

“Tyrone!” I say a little too loudly. He looks up from his phone and gives me a small smile when he sees me.

My stomach dips at the lackluster greeting, but my brain rallies as my eyes follow down the length of his body.

How does he make athletic pants and a t-shirt sexy?

Oh, right, cause the sleeves are torn off exposing his muscular arms, the profile of firm pecs, hard abs, and the pants accentuate his long, long, legs.

He’s over 6 feet, but not by much, just enough to be taller than me so I’d have to stretch on my toes to kiss him.

I shake my head to get rid of inappropriate thoughts.

The haze of lust dissipates when I notice his expression is drawn. “Are you alright?”

“Hey, Edee. Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”

“What’s going on? Everyone seems off today.”

“Phia Kerr, the water girl, she’s missing.”

“Phia is missing? I thought she went home sick.”

“So did everyone else. But no one can get a hold of her.”

“I want to help. Find her, I mean.”

His shoulders loosen. “Thank you. Prib is really worried.”

Nearly the entire athletic department is searching the stadium and complex for her. I’m starting to think she’s not here when Tyrone gets a text message. “They found her stuff in the trainer’s room. Phone and keys. She didn’t go home.”

I follow him down the corridor toward the elevator. We ride down in charged silence. I step into the women’s bathroom, relieve my angry bladder and wash my hands. When I walk out, Tyrone is bouncing from foot to foot. “Did they find her?”

“They know she went into the hydration room, but she never came out.”

“What? Why didn’t you go there?” I start running down the hallway.

“I was waiting for you!” Aw, that’s so sweet. Now is not the time. I stop and he nearly barrels into me. “Where’s the hydration room?”

He chuckles softly and leads the way into the locker room. We stop short, the room packed with players and personnel. My heart stops when I hear a guttural scream from Prib. Oh, God. No. No!

“She’s alive!” someone yells and my heart restarts much faster than before. Thank God. I can’t believe this happened here. Someone tried to kill her, drown and suffocate her in the hot tub. She’s so sweet, who would want to hurt her?

Coach Heacock.

The name is screamed in my head. My stomach churns, my fingers tingly at the cold truth. He’s the only one who hated her, the only one who was openly hostile with the poor girl. Is he capable of something like this? I don’t know. I don’t want him to be, but I can’t ignore his behavior.

Ty leads me and Lyndell outside to the parking lot after the paramedics arrive.

We grab our bags on the way out and stand in a spot out of the way.

A crowd gathers and soon most of the lot is full.

Lyndell slips his hand into mine. Looking up at him, my breath hitches at the tears that stain his cheeks.

I squeeze his hand, offering my silent support.

I’m not sure how much time passes before the paramedics wheel Phia out on a gurney, Prib clutching her hand, walking alongside them.

Movement to the right catches my eye. I release Lyndell’s hand and pull my camera out of my bag.

I start snapping pictures of the crowd, trying to get as many faces as I can.

Tyrone scowls at me, “You can’t give them some privacy? Anything for a story?”

I swallow hard, understanding why he feels that way.

I hate that I’m doing this, but something in my gut tells me I need to.

Someone needs to document what’s going on.

“Not for a story.” I whisper. “Something’s not right.

Someone tried to not just hurt her but kill her.

I’m taking pics of the crowd to gauge reactions.

Maybe I’ll capture something that could help find out who did this to her. ”

His scowl drops, an expression of contrition in its place. “Oh.” He sighs, closes his eyes, and tips his head back. “I feel dumb.”

Lyndell snorts. “You should.”

“Don’t sugarcoat it, Lyndell,” Ty mutters.

“Edee is really smart. And nice.”

I smile up at Lyndell. “Thank you.”

“Welcome.” Lyndell looks pointedly at his brother. “Ask her to let us walk her home.” He does not know how to whisper properly. I cover my mouth with my hand.

Tyrone glares at Lyndell but meets my eyes with a soft smile. “Can we walk you home?”

“Sure.” I accept easily. I like them. The Wicawiil brothers are hard to ignore.

Lyndell is as big as his brother and nearly as fit.

He must work out with Tyrone. As we walk through campus to my dorm, I feel special being flanked by them both.

Safe. We don’t talk much, the events of the evening weighing heavily on us all.

We’re feet away from the main doors, when they are thrown open.

My roommate comes out. Great. Just what this day needed.

My entire body braces for impact. Shaye notices me first, her sneer something I’m used to at this point.

She dismisses Lyndell but her demeanor changes instantly when she registers Tyrone.

“Ty!” Sweet as pie…I’m gonna be sick. “I know you aren’t playing football anymore, but there’s no reason to give up.” She looks directly at me with pity. “Forget… her, buy me dinner, and I’ll thank you properly.”

“Fuck off, Shaye,” he grits out, his jaw clenched, shoulders up near his ears. He’s angry. That’s hot.

“Whatever. Commit social suicide, see if I care. You aren’t a has-been, Ty, you’re a never-was.” She titters as she walks between us, purposefully knocking into me on her way through.

I turn slowly to face Tyrone. “Not just a bitch to me then, she’s an equal opportunity cunt.”

“In more ways than one.” My stomach drops…

he must have fucked her, or at least someone like her.

I’m not his type at all then. I’m not small, never been called petite a day in my life.

He’s probably just being polite because I’ve been nice to Lyndell.

Lyndell likes me so he tags along like a good brother.

“Thanks for the walk home. Have a good night.”

“Edee—”

“Gotta get up early and process the photos from today’s game. I’ll see you around.” I cut him off, unlock the door and rush in. I try to think back over my interactions with Ty, I didn’t give anything away about my little crush. Right? Shit, he probably thinks I’m pathetic.

And I’m a horrible person for feeling sorry for myself when Phia almost died! Literally. I’m the absolute worst.