Page 36 of Quarterback Sneak

“All I’m saying is you’re not going to make the same mistakes I did. Tonight was a bad date; that’s it. Don’t overthink it. Drop him and move on. Find a man who loves you more than anything in this world.”

“I don’t think a guy like that exists,” I say dryly.

“Oh, Baby, they do.” I don’t argue with her and I don’t remind her that she never found that.

I sigh, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Thanks, Mom. I love you. I guess I just needed to hear your voice tonight.”

“Oh, Baby, call anytime. I love you. You're going to get through this, Love.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hang up and sit there a few more minutes before I finally summon the energy to return to my room. Maybe when I wake up tomorrow morning, this will all just be a memory.

Chapter 17

Zane

I throw a long pass downfield. Quint snatches it out of the air and runs it in for a completion.Touchdown!I throw my hands up in victory because that’s the game. We’re two touchdowns ahead, and there’s less than two minutes on the clock. I grin and run over to Quint, smacking him on the back of the head. “Good job!”

We run off the field as Elliot and the field goal team run out onto the field. Elliot kicks it through the uprights, earning us the extra point. I take off my helmet and watch as the clock winds down and then join my teammates in celebration. We’re all smiles as we head to the locker room. I can’t help but wish for at least the hundredth time tonight that Evie had been here to watch the game.

As I have all night, I push thoughts of her and her date from my mind. I’ll get finished here and get an update from Reid. I asked him to tail my mate and her date tonight. I just couldn’t stomach the thought of her being out with Jace somewhere alone and unprotected. I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t trust that guy.

“And that’s how you do it,” Coach says as he enters the locker room, causing a loud cheer to sound around the locker room. I try to focus on the talk with Coach and then it’s off to the showers. I shower quickly and get packed up.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Quint asks with a grin.

“Does it happen to have anything to do with a certain girl we all saw you talking to?” Terryl asks.

“Yeah, the one you made us all sign something for,” JJ adds.

I just shake my head. “You all are far too nosy.”

“We can’t help it,” Zac chimes in. “I’ve known you for three years, and you’ve never dated a girl.”

“I'm not dating now,” I remind them.

“Yeah, but you want to,” Quint calls out, and the guys all add their dumb comments.

“Okay, yeah, I do; but she turned me down. So...”

They all stare at me. “She turned you down?” Dejaun asks incredulously. Then they all crack up.

“Laugh it up,” I call out over their laughter, not really bothered by it. “I’ll get the girl; you’ll see.”

“Oooo.”

“Course you will, Cap,” Cameron, my backup calls out.

“Suck-up,” Terryl says, shoving him. Cameron shoves him right back.

“Okay,” I call out, stepping in before it gets out of hand. “Get some rest tonight. No practice tomorrow.” I throw my bag over my shoulder and start towards the door. I feel more than see Quint step out behind me and follow me.Are you back yet?I send to Reid.

Yes.

Where?

I’m out front.

I head that way. When I push the door open and step outside, I see Reid straighten from the wall he was leaning against and walk my way. I instantly take in my best friend's body language. He’s upset, really upset. Nobody else would probably pick up on it, but we’ve been friends for far too long for me not to notice. I take in the tense lines of his body, and my own body reacts.Worry for Evie builds quickly. “What happened?” my voice is harsh, and I don’t bother trying to soften it.