Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“What’s it look like?” Kyle shot back like the smartass he was.
I glared at him, readying all the reasons why a party was the last thing we needed two days before a big game. But before I got the chance, they set the keg down and Leo walked over to me.
“The team is stressed, Cap,” he said, no hint of his usual carefree smile. “Between the pressure of the game this weekend and all the tests… we all need a break.”
“Most of us already finished our last classes before the holiday today, anyway,” Kyle said. “And those who haven’t aren’t going to pick up a textbook until after the game Saturday. We all know that.”
He had a point.
I sighed, folding my arms as I considered.
“Low key,” I told them, pointing a finger right at Kyle when he smiled victoriously. “I mean it. The team, whatever girls they want to invite, but that’s it. Not an open house. I don’t want to see a single player doing anything other than drinking beer. And we start kicking people out at two at the latest. We have practice tomorrow.”
“It’ll be a light one,” Kyle argued. “It’s the day before an away game.”
“Take the party past two and I’ll show you a light practice,” I threatened.
Kyle rolled his eyes and waved me off but didn’t push me — and I knew even if he was annoyed by my decision, he’d respect it.
No one wanted a grueling practice the day before we played.
Every bone in my body ached as I climbed the stairs to my room. All I wanted was to eat, shower, and crawl into bed. I was exhausted — mentally and physically.
But now, I had a party to host.
I flopped down face-first onto my mattress, heaving a sigh and allowing myself a moment of self-pity before I rolled over and stared up at the ceiling. My phone was practically burning in my pocket, so I pulled it out, stomach dropping when I still didn’t see anything from Julep.
Me: If you’re sick, I can bring you soup.
I wondered if that was too much, so I threw in a joke, too.
Me: Or I could come give you a massage… from the inside.
I could imagine her rolling her eyes at the text as I peeled myself out of bed and jumped in the shower. I had to move before I could get too comfortable, otherwise I’d never get up.
There was still no response from her when I got out.
I tried one last time.
Me: I hope you’re okay. I miss you.
I stared at the text, debated, and then deleted it all and tried again.
Me: Party at ours tonight. Team is stressed… me included. If you feel up to it, you should come.
I hadn’t even put the phone down before I got a response.
Julep: I’ll be there.
I chose not to drink — not because the thought of an ice-cold beer or two didn’t sound appealing, but because I wanted to be in my best shape for practice tomorrow and the game this weekend.
I noticed I wasn’t the only one on the team making good decisions, because the keg was lasting longer than it usually did, most of the guys nursing their beers and drinking water in-between.
We liked to party, and we clearly needed to cut loose. But we were still athletes, and performance on the field outweighed everything else.
I was honestly pleasantly surprised that my roommates had followed my wishes. It was a party, sure, but it was small, low key, and only about half as loud as our usual.
It was almost eleven and Julep hadn’t shown yet.
I made the rounds, checking in with various pods of players scattered around the house before I found Zeke, Clay, and Leo in the kitchen.
“Hey, Cap,” Zeke greeted me, lifting his cup of water and tapping it against the side of mine.
“Boys,” I said in return, taking a sip before I sat my hip against the edge of the counter. We had a sweeping view of the house here, and we took in everything happening. “No girls tonight?”
“You know Riley,” Zeke said. “She’s serious when it comes to school. Her last test is on Monday, and she doesn’t want to have to study when we’re on the road.”
I nodded, my already high respect for her ticking up a notch. “And G?”
Clay smirked. “Reading dirty books and highlighting all the best parts for us to try after the win.”
I arched a brow. “You mean when we get back to campus, right? Since Coach has made it clear you two aren’t allowed to be in the same hotel room when we travel.”
“Of course,” Clay said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. His wink gave away that he was full of shit.
“You’re one to talk, Cap,” Leo said, pouring himself a shot of tequila. I grabbed it and poured it down the sink before he could take it, pointing at the keg. I meant what I said about nothing other than beer. Begrudgingly, he sighed and refilled his cup before adding, “We all heard about the girl in the pool.”