“You need to try harder. What can you do to get Malik’s position?” She paused. “Or are you happy to quit football and go to Harvard next year like your father wants?”
My mouth dropped. We’d never discussed my life goals. She must have heard this shit through my father. If I told her the truth, would it cause more trouble between Dad and me? Fuck it. Maybe she wouldn’t want to date a second-string running back. “I’m planning on heading into the draft and, hopefully, getting a contract in the NFL.” How much did she know about it?
“How will you accomplish that without displacing Malik on the team?”
“I don’t have to. A team could still draft me as a second-string player. Especially since I’m coming from a top-notch team in the NCAA.” Why the fuck was I trying to explain this to her? I stomped across my bedroom with heat filtering through my chest.
“Can you, though? I did some digging.” She huffed. “Would you take a position on a practice squad? Because they make little money.”
I blinked. She’d been digging? About me? “They do well enough.”
“You’d surely go to Harvard if that happens, right? I mean, your father would be so unhappy?—”
“My father can go to hell.” My pulse throbbed in my temples. Holy fuck, I shouldn’t have said that to her. Could it give her leverage over me?
“Really?” She sighed. “You surprise me, Greyson. It always looked to me like you had a great relationship with your father.”
She didn’t know a damn thing about me. I had to correct my mistake. As my chest squeezed, I said, “I-I have a great relationship with him.”Lie. With a stammered laugh, I said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know where that came from. I’ve invested fully infootball while here, and if I don’t get a major contract, I’ll go to Harvard.” Fuck. That.
“That’s good, because I have expensive tastes.” She freed a soft exhale. “I heard you have some big plans for me when I visit.”
The door popped open, and Malik stood there, his brows lifted. He mouthed,are you okay?
I stared at him. Fucking hell. What a time for him to open the damn door. “Uh…”
“Well, do you? I was told you’ll take me to the best restaurants the Phoenix area offers. I was also told you’d have something special for me.” She sucked in a breath. “Just so you know, I love Tiffany jewelry, or maybe you could find a Hermes Birkin bag for me?”
Malik’s mouth bowed down, his head hung, and he closed the door.
Fucking hell. An ache threaded through my heart. “I, uh, yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”Who fucking tells you what to buy them as a present? Who asks for presents at all?
“Good. These are just ideas. I know how men can be.” She sighed. “Hey, can you call me once a day? I’d like to get to know you better before I visit.”
Once a day? “I don’t know. I’m busy most days with classes, studying and practice.” I tensed my mouth. I didn’t want her taking time away from Malik and me. “Plus, we have an away game next week, so there will be travel and team meetings…”
“A five-minute phone call every day isn’t too much to ask.” She scoffed. “You don’t seem to want to return my text messages, so I thought this would be better.”
“I’ll, uh, I’ll return your text messages, okay?” It would get back to Dad if I didn’t give her something. I was lucky she hadn’t already complained again.
“How about you return my text messages, and we talk on the phone every two or three days?”
She was compromising? I didn’t expect that. “Sure, that should work.” I didn’t have to talk to her again until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. “I’ll be traveling with the team Friday afternoon and will be busy until Sunday.” I’d set her expectations as low as I could.
“Okay.” She tutted. “Will Malik still be out with his injury?”
“He will.” With his injury being as minor as it was, he would travel with us. My eyes popped open. Hell, we’d share a hotel room on the road. I would spend the night before the game spooning with him. My chest filled with warmth.
“I’ll watch the game so I can cheer you on.” She giggled. “Play well for me and get me a goal.”
“A touchdown.” Good feeling gone. I wouldn’t play for her. I’d play for Malik. He’d be on the sidelines, giving me pointers and making sure I played my best. I inhaled deeply as I dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Listen, I should go. I have studying to do before tomorrow.” I didn’t, since I’d already finished it, but we were done.
“Oh, sure. I’ll chat with you tomorrow, okay?” She giggled. “Ta-ta.”
“Bye.” I ended the call and slumped my shoulders, releasing a tattered breath. Malik had looked hurt. I had to address this with him.
FIFTEEN
MALIK