“Oh.”
He steps in closer to me. “Did it make you mad thinking that’s what I was going to go do? Because it pissed me the fuck off thinking about you going to that party.”
I suck in a breath. That was the last thing I thought he was going to say. “We don’t know each other,” I blurt out. “We shouldn’t care what the other is doing.” Yet I can’t seem to stop myself from doing exactly that.
“But here we are.”
“Here we are,” I repeat. He reaches up, almost touching my cheek, but he stops himself.
“Stay away from frat parties.” His hand drops, and he takes a step back, hitting the button for the elevator. The doors open, and he gets on. “I never kissed Tiffany.”
I smile, having no clue what the hell is happening here, but it’s something. I can feel it.
8
Theodore
“It’s interesting meeting you here.” Willow smirks, not stepping closer to me. She’s going to make me come to her.
Today she’s got on an oversized hoodie and yoga pants with a pair of sneakers. She knew she was going to see me. There are no sexy clothes or done-up hair or makeup to try to snag my attention. She doesn’t have to try because she always has my attention. So much so that she has me all out of sorts.
I reach out of the elevator and snag her around the waist to pull her on with me. She comes easily, her body melting into mine. That’s all she gets to say before I’m kissing her. The elevator ride, like all the others this week, is far too short for my liking.
We break apart when the doors open, and she strolls off like nothing happened. My cock is harder than it’s ever been in my life. You’d have no idea that thirty minutes ago I was standing in my shower trying to fix the problem.
Thing is, my dick knew where I was going. I didn’t only get Willow’s phone number, I got her school schedule as well. Now I find myself meeting her on the elevator every morning to get a taste of her. She lets me have it then strolls off, leaving me behind.
“Bring home the win, Bear.” She winks at me as she pushes out the doors to our building. I stand there and watch her until she’s out of sight. Today was different. There were no classes for her, but I told her I was getting on the elevator and that I expected to see her. There she was wearing a big smile when I stepped on, doing exactly as I’d asked, but still I was annoyed. That annoyance only grows as I follow her out and head toward my car. The more time I spend with her, the harder it is for me to be without her.
I pull out my phone and text her. She’s been calling me Bear for the last few days. I finally break and ask her about it. That’s all I’ve been doing lately: breaking down and bending all the rules when it comes to her. I want to blame her for it, but it would be bullshit. I’m always the one seeking her out. She doesn't push me away, but she doesn't try to pull me in either. Still, I keep falling more and more for her. I can’t stay away.
Theo: Why do you call me Bear?
I hit send on the text and climb into my car. I drive the short distance to the university, park my car and head inside to get ready for the game tonight.
Willow: Theodore = Teddy, but I think you’re more of a bear. You growl a lot. Do you cuddle?
Her response has my lips twitching. No one calls me Teddy. I know it’s common for people with the name Theodore, but she went and took it even further. It’s not surprising after watching way more of her social media than I should have.
Theo: You going to the game tonight?
Willow: Maybe
I grit my teeth and toss my phone onto my desk so I don’t demand that she be there. It’s better if she’s not. I need to concentrate. I need to get my head in the game; that’s where it should be. I have a responsibility to my team. I also know that everyone is watching me to see how I perform. Some said I was in over my head when I took the coaching job, and others always thought it was a move I’d make.
The day is both long and fast. My eyes keep scanning the stands behind me, but there’s no sight of Willow and Zoey anywhere. I grab Reid and pull him over to the side. I'm sure he knows where they are. He always knows where Zoey is, and wherever she is, Willow will be too.
“Where are the girls?” I nod to the two empty seats.
“You want to do this now?” I know Reid has some idea about what is going on between Willow and me at this point. I mean, Zoey had busted us in the elevator. The three of them pretty much live together. “I told Willow I’d stay out of it.” He gives me a hard look. We are almost the same height. He has an inch on me, but where he’s lean so he can move fast, I'm wide and built like a tank. “For now,” he adds. I release him, not wanting to drag him into whatever the fuck this is.
I pull out my phone to text her but notice I have a text from my mom saying she and Dad will be at the game too.
Bear: Get here.
I send the text to Willow before I can stop myself. Again, ordering her ass around. Why the hell do I do that? I’m such a dick, but for some reason I can’t stop myself from telling her to do shit. Then when she does it, I get so fucking hard my balls ache.
My eyes go back to the stands, and I see my parents have already arrived. They wave at me, and my mom mouths an I’m sorry. When Tiffany leans over in front of her, waving at me, I inwardly groan. I nod my chin, once again trying not to be rude, but that girl is pushing it.
Fucking hell. Their seats are right behind Zoey and Willow. My phone goes off, and I check it again.
Willow: Stop growling. I’m getting snacks.
Willow: You wearing those slacks again? They make your ass look good.
“It’s true. The girls talk about it around campus.”
“Knight. Mind your damn business.” I growl at Reid, making him laugh.
“You made it my business when you pulled me aside earlier. You do sound like a bear.” He keeps on poking. “Remember you can’t hit me. I’m the star.”
“You’re an asshole is what you are.”
“She’s got you all twisted up.” He smirks before heading off to talk to Evan, our star receiver. I try and get my head back in game mode. It’s not until I see Willow sit her ass in the stands behind me that I find myself relaxing. But it does nothing for the growing obsession I have for her.
9
Willow
Unlike the last time I was here, I actually catch Bear sneaking glances my way. “I think he keeps looking at you,” Zoey says, noticing too. This game would be near damn perfect if it wasn't for Tiffany. I’m a tad shocked she’s at a football game. I suppose I wouldn’t come to them either if it wasn't for Reid. Though they really are starting to grow on me.
I jump to my feet with Zoey as Reid lobs a ball down the field straight into Evan’s hands. We scream as he flies down the field, missing a few hits before scoring. Zoey and I jump up and down, screaming. This game is starting off fast.
The older couple behind us gives us high fives. All the while Tiffany stands there covering her ears. The cheering dies down, and we all take our seats. The game goes pretty much the same way the entire time. Reid continues to drive down the field easily over and over again. College football is looking as easy as high school was for Reid.