Page 72 of For the Fans

The crowd is going absolutely wild, as is our team. We’re all jostling each other around, the testosterone really flying. This was a big one.

One more win and we’re going to the playoffs.

“Hey, good game, man.” Devon Lancaster comes over to shake my hand, and with a humble grin, I shake his right back.

“You, too.”

Watching him wander off, I have to nod in respect. The dude is a class act. Not everyone loses so gracefully. I know he’ll probably be sulking by himself tonight, overanalyzing every move and missed opportunity. I know, because that’s whatIdo.

But on the field, you keep your head up.

I won’t say I haven’t cursed and thrown my helmet before. But I can’t stand the guys who talk shit to the other team. It doesn’t help, and it just makes you look like a baby.

Wading through all the bodies, I make my way back to the sidelines, and go figure, Avi comes up to me again, popping off the head of his costume.

“That was awesome, Ky.” He grins.

Squirting water into my mouth, I swallow, then huff, “Thanks.”

“Look, I kinda need to talk to you,” he murmurs, low enough that I can just barely hear him over all the noise.

My muscles stiffen, eyes slinking in his direction. “Now isreallynot the time…”

“No, I know. But you haven’t read any of my texts.” He keeps pushing. “I just wanted to—”

“Don’t care,” I growl. “Go away, Avi.”

Turning from him, I freeze at the sight of Lexi galloping in our direction.Oh God, here we go.

“Babe! What a game!” she squeals, launching herself at me.

She jumps up into my arms, and like a reflex, I catch her. Her legs wrap around my waist and my eyes widen, startled by the way she’s acting like she’s my girlfriend.I haven’t even seen her in weeks.

Meanwhile, Avi isstaringat us, brow arched as Lexi peppers my neck with kisses. And because I fullyhatethe knowing look on his obnoxious fucking face, I decide to grab her by the jaw and kiss her.

It’s for show, which feels obvious even to me, but it doesn’t stop Lexi from slipping her tongue into my mouth and really laying it on thick. I hear a few people murmuring around us, whooping for the quarterback and cheerleader making out after a big win like we’re in some kind of romantic comedy.

Peering behind Lexi while her lips move on mine, I catch Avi rolling his eyes, shaking his head as he stomps away. As soon as he’s out of sight, I pry my mouth from Lexi’s incessant suction, plopping her down on her feet while I shake it off.

She runs her hands up my chest. “You wanna come over andcelebrate?”

My eyes flit once more in the direction the eagle just went. “I’m uh… I’m sort of tired.” I peek down to find her biting her lip.

“You know, I’m a pretty good masseuse…” Her eyes sparkle.

Sure, it would probably feel great… Fucking the hot girl silly after this win. Plus, it’s what I’m expected to do. It makessense.

So I nod slowly and rumble, “I need to be with the team right now,” backing away from her touch. “Just for a bit. And then I’ll come by.”

She beams up at me. “Alright, sexy.” She pushes up onto her tippy toes to kiss my lips quick, whispering, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

I gulp and force a grin, using the opportunity to slink away from her, disappearing into the crowd of my teammates, who are all rowdy with the excitement of the win.

We trudge back into the locker room together while my thoughts whirl. I know it probably isn’t right to string Lexi along… I’m fully aware that I don’t have actualfeelingsfor her. But then hooking up with fuckhot cheerleaders is what we do. I’m sure it would relieve any lingering stress from the whole thing with Avi’s and my secret…job, for lack of a better word, that doesn’t make me want to stab myself in the brain.

But even so, while I’m showering in the locker room, I can’t help how my mind drifts to my phone sitting in my locker. And the unread texts from my stepbrother.

Why am I thinking about this?? I just won a huge game. I should be celebrating by getting drunk with my teammates and letting big-titted cheerleaders rub me down… Not dwelling onthe money I need to stay on the team and the shameful way I’ve chosen to drum up said funds.