“Bye,” Willow says before grabbing Zoey by the arm to head out. Reid lifts his chin at me before following them out. Tiffany sits back down. Reluctantly I do the same. All I want to do is follow after them. I shake the thought off because it’s a stupid one. I can’t have her. Even though there’s nothing else I want more.
“Do you often run into students outside of work? That must be annoying.” She scrunches her nose. She really must be new around here.
“Haven't been coaching that long.” I’m sure it will happen often. “I don’t think it will be a problem.” I’ve already gotten close to a few of the players on the team. Reid more so than most, but I enjoy getting into his head about game play as much as he enjoys getting into mine. I’ve been in his shoes and know what it takes to make it to the top.
My mind drifts to Willow. Even her name is perfect. Running into students off campus won’t necessarily be a problem, but I know without a doubt running into that little curvy blonde is going to be an issue for me. She’s too young for you, I remind myself. Not only that, she’s a student at the university. I figure if I keep telling myself these things that it will somehow dull the sudden need I have for her.
“You know Willow?” I find myself asking. Obviously my plan isn’t working. This time I actually listen to what comes out of Tiffany’s mouth, wanting to know every single detail she knows about my Willow.
3
Willow
“You are coming with me,” Zoey says, popping her head into my bedroom. She pauses when she sees I have my phone pressed to my ear.
“Everything is going good.” I answer my mom before I mouth to Zoey who I’m talking to. I know I’m going with her. I told her earlier that I might not go to the party after the game, but I’ve changed my mind. Besides, we're celebrating. We already have a few weeks of college under our belt, and now Reid had a kick-ass game.
Reid’s frat house is throwing a party, and he’s supposed to be there tonight. I think in total Reid has slept at the frat house once. Not that anyone really cares. It’s a university rule you have to live on campus freshman year if you play for the team. As long as he’s got a room that’s all that matters. Everyone knows he lives with us.
“I ran into Carrie the other day. She told me that you saw her daughter.”
“Yeah, Tiffany. We only saw each other for a couple of seconds. She was with someone. They looked to be on a date.” My mind flashes back to the handsome man who has invaded my every thought since I laid eyes on him. In fact, I knew it was a date. She whispered it into my ear so my friends and I would get lost.
“Yes. The football coach. Theodore something. I think Carrie is already trying to plan a wedding for them. She has been trying to get that girl married for years.”
My stomach turns. For weeks I’ve tried to stop thinking about Theodore Grayson. I don’t know what my fascination with him is. He’s dating someone! Plus, there’s the fact that he’s older than me and looks so serious. As though he does everything by the book. I don’t even know why I continue to think about what he does or doesn’t do. He’s taken and off limits.
“Tiffany isn't that old. Why the rush?” She’s in her mid-twenties, I think. It's hard to keep up with these inner circles, but she does come from a prominent last name.
“Don’t be jealous, Willow. You’ll find you a nice pre-law or pre-med boy there at school. It's why you’re there.” Of course my mother would make sure to throw a little dig in. As if a career of my own isn’t something I should be trying to obtain. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask why it matters really. It’s not as though I need to marry for money. “Or I have a few I can introduce you to. We have a few years until that.”
“Wonderful.” I can’t wait for that. For her to line up self-centered rich assholes for me to choose from.
“I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” She ends the call without an I love you or goodbye. I’m used to it by now. I didn't know how off that was until I was around Zoey and her mom all the time. Hell, Zoey’s mom treats me more like a daughter and tells me she loves me when I’m on a call with her.
“What did she want?” Zoey leans against the door frame of my room. She’s got on a sweater that we decorated with Reid’s name on the back.
“Checking in.”
“Was that the first time?” Zoey purses her lips. Sometimes I think she gets more upset about how my parents treat me than I do. I guess after all these years, I’m numb to it. I try not to let it affect me anymore.
“Is what it is.” I shake it off, knowing nothing is going to change.
“Let it go, and let’s get you ready to go have a good time.” Zoey bounces into my room.
“Already have.” I head to my closet, kicking off my sneakers and grabbing a white v-neck sweater and my boots. If I’m going to a party I might as well dress up.
“Getting sexy?” She wiggles her brows at me. She’s got her hair in a ponytail and no makeup on her face unless you count the number 11 on her cheek that I drew for her.
“It seems I’m in the market for a pre-law or pre-med college student.” Zoey snorts a laugh.
“I really never know what your mom is going to say or do.”
“That makes two of us.” I roll my eyes as I get dressed. I give my makeup and hair a once-over. I did them before we went to the football game. I made sure to spend my time doing them, wanting to look good. Yet, he didn't even notice me, and I was in the front row, right behind the team.
I’m starting to think I need to put myself out there. I can’t be lusting after a man who isn't mine to ever have. It’s not only the fact that he’s dating someone else but he also works for the university. I don’t know what the rules are regarding students and faculty. But I’m sure there are strict guidelines. Not that he is going to break or bend them for me. The man only met me once. I bet he doesn't even remember me. I really need to get over this fascination I have with him.
“I’m ready.” I stand up, lean over, and zip up my boot. “Can we get food after?”
“You’re hungry?”
“No, but late-night breakfast food is always the best.”
“What if you meet someone at the party and crash at the house?”
“You think I’m going to lose my virginity at a frat party?” I pull my keys from my purse so I can lock the door behind us. I hit the button for the elevator. The doors start to open.
“You don’t have to sleep with someone because you crash with them. There are other things you can do. Don’t be a slut.” Zoey laughs. I don’t because as the doors slide open, there stands the man I haven't stopped thinking about. Not only that, he just heard my best friend telling me not to be a slut. Lovely.
“Oh. Coach.” Zoey smiles at him. He looks as good as he did the first time I saw him. He’s freshly showered and clearly going somewhere.
“Zoey.” His response is stiff. He always looks so serious. It should intimidate me, but it only makes him more attractive. “I forgot you live in the building.” We step onto the elevator.