Page 95 of Quarterback Sneak

“Yeah, but you look so cute doing it.”

She elbows me as I snort out a laugh. She’d been horrified the day she’d burst into my room and showed me the outfit she had to wear for security, which consisted of a standard gray polo shirt and black pants that looked like guys’ pants. When she added her yellow reflective vest over the top, it was quite the look. “I should have just gotten a job at the coffee shop with you,” she bemoans. “But I’d never be able to remember all thedrinks and combinations.” She sighs. “No, I’m better off keeping the streets safe and the students secured. Or wait. Is it the streets secured and the students safe?” She shrugs. “I don’t know.”

I can’t help my laugh. “Well, I for one, feel safer at night knowing you’re on security.”

“Sure, you do,” she says with a snort.

“Are you getting enough sleep?” I ask, turning serious.

She shrugs. “I need to keep working on my schedule to accommodate working at night, but I’ll get it.” I study her face and make a mental note to try to do more things to help her out when I can. “Ooo, here they come.”

I turn my attention back to the screen and watch as the guys run out of the tunnel. The crowd boos them, and I scowl at the screen. But it’s not unusual. We do the same for other teams that come here. “I’m going to go make the popcorn before the game starts.” She waves me off.

It doesn’t take me long to make two bags of popcorn and head back to our room. I hand one bag to Tessa with a few paper towels for the grease. “How’s it going?”

“We’re off to a good start,” she says, nodding at the screen.

The first quarter is good. We score a touchdown near the end of the first quarter, taking an early lead. I watch Zane carefully, wondering if he’s feeling okay. He’s playing good but not like I’ve seen him play before. I don’t say anything and keep my eye on him when we head into the second quarter. At half time, Tessa turns to me. “Is Blackwood sick?”

I tear my eyes away from the screen. “Why?”

She shrugs. “He’s just not playing that well.”

“You noticed that too?”

“Yeah.”

I stand up. “I’m going to the bathroom before the second half.”

We settle in for the second half. “Hopefully, they worked out whatever issues they had, and they have a better second half,” Tessa says hopefully.

Spoiler. They don’t. I stare at the screen at the end of the game. 24-17. Our loss. Zane didn’t have the best game, and I wonder how much that will bother him. “Man, what was with your man tonight?” Tessa asks as she stands and stretches.

“Zane’s not my man.” I stand and stretch as well.

“Right. Says the woman wearing his jersey, the onehegave her to wear.” She watches me expectantly.

I finally shrug. “Okay, we’resomething;I just don’t know what.”

“Well, the next time you see your...something, tell him I expect better of him the next game.” I scowl at her, and she shrugs. “Fine. I’ll tell him the next time I see him.”

“Mental note. Don’t let my suitemate talk to my boyfr—” I stop midsentence, hoping she didn’t notice.

Tessa turns to me, eyes wide. “You just called him your boyfriend.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You totally did, and I can’t wait to tell yourboyfriend.”

I drop my hands to my waist. “Fine. I won’t bring you yellow and red licorice next time.”

Her eyes flare. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Watch me.”

She stares at me and then shrugs. “Okay, fine.”

I drop my arms. “Wait. What?”