Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
If they thought they could treat his Mary with anything other than respect, well, he’d scandalize the fuck outta them.
* * *
He made one more lap and stopped when he reached his teammates. They all breathed out heavily, their uniforms soaked in sweat, their faces red from exertion.
“I should make you guys do another twenty laps just for the hell of it.” Coach stopped in front of them and scowled. “I don’t know how many times I’ve warned you about coming to practice hungover.” Some of the men groaned and started to spout off excuses, but Coach lifted a hand, stopping them. “I don’t care if it wasn’t all of you. We’re a team, and when one of you screws up, the whole lot of you do.” He scanned the players and his focus stopped on Alex longer than the rest. “I’m surprised more of you aren’t failing your courses and in Sheppard’s position.”
Alex tensed at the mention but kept a response to himself. Last thing he needed was to piss off Coach more by running his mouth.
A few of the guys cast him a glance, but quickly averted their gazes when he narrowed his eyes at them.
“And just to make my point on how I’m sick of you guys screwing up like this, I’m keeping you until the alcohol has come out of your pores and can barely breathe. You’ll be too tired to even think about getting trashed tonight.”
There was a collective groan and Alex cursed inwardly. He had wanted to go to Mary’s early, but if Coach was keen on keeping them, he’d be pushing it for time.
“Now get your asses back on the field and follow Play 3.” Coach turned to Alex, who’d stopped in front of him.
“Coach, I’m supposed to be heading out this weekend with my girl. I can’t really stay late tonight.” There was a moment of silence and then Coach shook his head.
“You’re the one that especially needs to stay, Sheppard.”
Fuck. “I wasn’t even one of the assholes who walked into practice hungover today. I’ve been on time since you told me about bringing my average up, and I’m doing just that.”
Coach crossed his beefy arms over his chest. “You want an award, Sheppard?”
Alex gritted his teeth. Keep your mouth shut. Show respect even if the last thing I want to do is stay here and make Mary wait.
“No, but I was just letting you know I have important plans this weekend and don’t want to make my girl wait.”
Coach’s expression stayed bland. “You’re part of this team. Looks like you’re going to have to be late, Sheppard. Now go with the boys and practice.” He tipped his chin toward the field and didn’t give Alex time to comment, because he was already making his way toward the players.
Alex cursed under his breath and turned around to watch his teammates get in formation to practice a play. He ran a hand over his jaw. Shit. He could leave, but there would no doubt be serious repercussions involved, and he was already on probation. He couldn’t fuck up even more.
Alex exhaled and walked over to his duffle to grab his cell from inside the bag. After he dialed Mary’s number he turned away from the field and braced his arm on the cement wall. The thought of disappointing her had a sour feeling filling him. Fuck, he’d fallen hard for his Mary.
“Hi,” she said softly, the clear smile in her voice having him feel like a million fucking bucks.
“Hey, baby.” His voice was deep and husky, his pleasure at just hearing her voice filling him and hardening his cock. Shit, he was so into her, and he didn’t care what anyone said about that. “So,” he dragged that lone word out. “I have some bad news.”
“Oh.” There was surprise in her voice followed by that disappointment he’d dreaded to hear. “You can’t come tonight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything, you kidding me?” He heard her exhale as if relieved. “But coach is making me stay late for practice tonight.” Before she could say anything he was speaking again, hating that he’d let her down, even if it was out of his hands. “I’m sorry, baby, but I’m already on probation because of my grades, and I really don’t want to piss anyone else off.”
“I get it. I can text you the address and meet you up there.”
Things with them were so different now, with them, with him and how he’d always thought his life would go. He’d never seen himself settling down, not really, but all that changed when a pretty brunette looked at him with the clearest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen.
Just a few short weeks ago he would have never thought he’d ache just to see Mary’s face, just to hear her voice… to touch her skin.