Page 21 of The Surprise Play

What? I did not just say that!

Seriously, this guy makes me say things I never normally would.

I bulge my eyes, waiting for the backlash.

He gives me a hard laugh and spits out, “So fucking helpful!” He spreads his arms wide, that scathing look morphing into a pained frown before he spins on his heels and storms back to his truck.

My shoulders slump, my insides starting to tremble as I watch him go.

I’ve never been yelled at like that before, and it’s really unsettling.

My eyes start to burn as I spin and shuffle toward Buckley Hall. I don’t want to cry. Like, Ireallydon’t want to cry. That big oaf is not allowed to make me feel bad for not digging him out of the colossal hole he made for himself.

So why do I feel so bad, then?

I can sense eyes on me, and I glance up and notice a guy with messy blond hair. He has his arm around his gorgeous Black girlfriend. Ugh, she’s so pretty… and she’s no doubt watching me waddle past and judging me the way every other pretty girl does.

Dipping my head, I avoid her gaze, hoping she’s not a gossip queen as well. The last thing I need is rumors flying through Buckley Hall about the waddling hippo who got into a fight with the superstar football player.

CHAPTER 7

WILY

Okay, so I’m kinda feeling bad about the way I yelled at Elizabeth Satchwell.

Shit, she looked so fucking surprised when I started shouting at her, like no one had ever spoken to her that way before.

Fuck.

It didn’t stop her from trying to argue back with me, though, did it?

She wants me to take another class, find another way to get the credits I need.

She’s out of her fucking mind if she thinks I’m going to take on even more work.

I can’t do it.

And now I don’t know if there’s any point even sticking around. Once we play our final game, should I just move back home and?—

“Hey, man.” Zander slaps me on the shoulder as he eases past me into the gym.

I blink, not even remembering my walk from thetruck to this point. Bags are clutched in my fists, and I glance back down the hall, shaking my head and feeling like I’m losing my mind.

Zander turns to look at me. “Hey, you good?”

“Uh, yeah.” I paste on a smile because that’s what he needs to see.

Like I’m gonna let him in on my trials right now. He’ll be gutted if I tell him I’m quitting early. He’s got grand plans of us graduating together. Sienna’s already talking about a special party for all of us seniors… and it’s months away.

Tyrell strolls into the gym as I’m dumping my gear and gives me a sleepy, blurry-eyed grunt. The guy does not do mornings. I raise my chin, knowing better than to engage. Apparently, I’m too friendly and chipper in the mornings, but he’s not gonna have any issues with me today.

Jumping on the treadmill, I start a gentle jog, warming up my muscles as the gym fills with the regular morning crew. We’ve been doing this so long now that we can move around each other, instinctively knowing who’s gonna be where and who needs spotting. I keep half an eye on Tyrell, knowing he’ll be asking for my help in the next ten minutes or so. He likes to get the bench press out of the way first, and as soon as he lies down, I stop the treadmill and wander over to him.

“Ready?” I ask, once his hands are settled on the bar.

He nods and I hover behind him, making sure the bar doesn’t land on his chest or neck. The guy likes to push it. We all do. That’s part of the challenge, right?

After his first set, he stands up, breathing in through his nose and indicating for me to take my turn.