“You going to bring that Willow girl again? I saw her social,” Mack says as he ties his shoes. “She’s not just hot but funny too.” Her social? What the hell does that mean?
“Why are you watching their fucking social media? It’s all chick shit,” Reid says, putting the pieces together. It’s only another blow to me, reminding me I’m way too fucking old for this girl.
“I was checking her out.”
“Well, don’t,” Reid orders as Mack stands. Reid may be taller than Mack, but Mack is a fucking tank. I’d know because I used to be one myself. I’m not as big as I once was as a lineman; I’ve let some of the weight drop off over the years. It’s funny how now I’m actually in better shape, health-wise at least. Mentally I’m a damn basket case, thinking about Willow.
“I can do whatever the fuck I want, dude. I’m not after your girl. I want the blonde. Don’t tell me you’re fucking them both?” Reid is on him before I can move, throwing him right into a locker. Mack goes to grab for him but stops, knowing better. There won’t just be an all-out fight, but it’ll land his ass off the team if he leaves one mark on Reid. The university won’t have it any other way.
“You stay the fuck away from Willow. You hear me? Unless she comes on to you, don’t even look her fucking way. And trust me, she’s not going to come on to you.” I knew I liked Reid from the moment I met him. “Are we clear?”
“Yeah,” he agrees. Reid lets him go and steps back. He flicks his eyes my way, finally noticing I’m standing right there. I can see the oh shit moment in his eyes, not because he actually fears me but the worry that I’m going to make him do running drills all afternoon. Usually I would but not when the kid has inadvertently done me a favor.
“Everyone on the field. Warm up!” I shout.
“Don’t need no stuck-up rich pussy anyways,” Mack says under his breath. This time it’s me that reaches out and grabs Mack, getting into his face. Willow may not be mine, yet, but there is no way I would allow any man to ever disrespect her in my presence. Or any woman, for that matter.
“I don’t know what kind of locker room talk you did at your other school, Mack, but that shit doesn't fly in mine. I hear it again and we’re going to have a problem. Understood?”
“Sorry, Coach,” he rushes to say. “I was trying to push his buttons.”
“Now you’re pushing mine.” He gives me another sheepish apology before I release him. “Why is everyone still in my fucking locker room when I just told your asses what to do?” I bellow, and everyone takes off, leaving me alone once again. I run my hand down my face, trying to calm down.
I shouldn't have gotten involved. Reid had it handled.
Again, this Willow girl is fucking with my head, and I don’t think there is any way to stop it. To be honest, I’m not sure I really want to.
5
Willow
There has got to be more on this man. I click the page again, having read the same articles over and over at this point. There is nothing to them really. It’s all facts. All things that are public knowledge including where he was born, where he went to school, and a ton on his NFL career. Other than that, nothing more comes up when it comes to Theodore Grayson. Coach Gray to everyone else unless you’re close to him and then people call him Theo.
How is the fact that people call him Theo the most intimate thing I can find on him? He grew up in this town. Went on to be a famous football player and is the youngest college head coach to date. There should be tons of stories on him. Especially in the local paper here in Kingston.
“Doing a story on Coach Gray? Kind of played out.” Keith comes to sit down next to me. We’re all supposed to be coming up with story ideas for The BluePrint, the university’s newspaper. All I’m finding is the lack of real digging no one did on the shiny new coach that everyone adores. It’s annoying. He’s annoying. And so is my stupid attraction to him.
“He’s boring.” I shut my laptop, not wanting anyone else to see my stalking.
“Boring is not what other girls around here call him.” Tell me about it. I don’t know how Zoey does it. I overhear girls talk about Reid. If I do, I know she has to as well. I suppose it helps that he has never had eyes for anyone other than her. We all know Reid isn't going to betray Zoey. I’m not sure I could be as level-headed as her. This Theodore isn't even mine, and I’m having way too many feelings about him. Jealousy being on the top of that list.
“Make sure you submit your ideas by midnight Friday night,” Professor Diggs says, dismissing the class. I pack up all my stuff.
“Want to get coffee? Discuss some ideas?” I check my watch, debating the idea. My list is at zero at the moment, and we each need five ideas to turn in.
“Sure. Can we do Perk North? I like their hot chocolate.”
“Yeah.” Keith pops up from his chair and begins getting his stuff together. I put my laptop into my bag and head out with him. He talks about a few ideas he has. I try and pay attention, but my mind keeps drifting to whether or not Tiffany has social media. Of course I already checked if Theodore has one—he does, but there is nothing really on it. It felt very generic. “What are you thinking?”
“What?” Crap. I so checked out of the conversation, and there's no way I’m telling anyone what I’m thinking. I haven't even told Zoey about my new weird fascination with Reid’s coach because I haven’t wrapped my mind around it yet.
“For a story.” Right. Keith holds the door open for me when we make it to the coffee shop, being a gentleman. He has been since we met at orientation and he heard my major was journalism.
He’s cute in a boy next door kind of way. He’s taller than me, but most people are. He’s fit too. Not as tall or built as Theo but nothing to turn your nose up at. I think I remember him telling me he was on the swim team. Which makes sense with his build. He’s got short, wavy blond hair, making me think he’s from the West Coast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did some surfing back home.
“I’m still trying to think something up.”
“I can see the appeal to Coach Gray. The stuff that’s out there about him falls flat. There is no juice to it. Why don't you ask Reid? He might have some insight.” I’ve thought about that too. I give Keith a look. “Everyone knows who Zoey and Reid are, and by proxy they know who you are with the streaming you two do together. Not to mention you’re a Harlow.”
I haven’t decided if my last name is a blessing or a curse. I’m sure everyone assumes that’s the reason I got into this school, but I try not to dwell on what others think of me.
“I’m starting to think I might be your story,” I tease him, knowing he’s right. We both place our orders and wait off to the side. Zoey texts me about how boring her class is.
“There he is,” Keith says under his breath to me. I look up from my phone to see Theo walking into the coffee shop. This is the first time I’ve gotten to see him again since the night in the elevator. He looks as handsome as ever. He has an air of confidence that pushes all the right buttons for me. It’s even in the way he walks. He’s not arrogant, but he exudes power.