SCORE (A Stepbrother Sports Romance)(10)

I was quiet for a moment. It must have taken a lot for Blake to admit that he needed help with something. “Yeah, totally,” I said, feeling bad for him. “It’s the least I can do.”

Blake looked up at me and smiled. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” My laugh sounded a little shaky as I bolted from his room.

I was angry at myself for agreeing to help him, knowing it would be hard for me to get over Blake if I were constantly with him. Was I being selfish or selfless in my actions? It was the right thing to do—football was so important to him, and it would be unfair if he couldn’t play. More than my desire to help him, though, was my constant yearning to be around him. Would I be able to control myself around him? I shook my head, knowing I would have to keep it together. I was seriously worried that if we had another intense kiss, it would turn into something much more, making an even bigger mess of our situation.





Blake



We were in the school library and Alyssa was helping me study for midterms. It had been a long week full of schoolwork. As if that stress wasn’t enough, the more I was around Alyssa, the more I wanted to touch her, to hold her. I was dangerously close to becoming attached to her—not simply being attracted, but something deeper and more real. My gaze was glued to her beautiful soft pink lips. I watched them move, fascinated, as she talked, reading something out of a textbook.

“Blake! Are you paying attention?” she snapped, annoyed.

“Yeah. Sorry. I was just a little distracted.” I looked back down at the book so she wouldn’t see the need in my eyes.

“Do I have to remind you that I am doing you a favor?” she asked haughtily, and I felt guilty.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized quickly. “I just have a hard time concentrating.”

She nodded, her features softening. “How about we take a break?” She shut the book and grabbed her backpack. I nodded and followed her out of the library, grateful for a break from the distracting proximity.

We walked to the cafeteria, making small talk. We each got a drink, and Alyssa grabbed an apple. We headed out onto the quad, and she plopped down on the grass, munching happily. I watched her as she looked around, grabbing at the chance to admire her beauty. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brad, one of my teammates, walking toward us. He sat down next to us and started talking.

“Hey—Alyssa, right?” he asked, flashing her a smile. She nodded, smiling as he introduced himself. “So, I’m going to this party tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to come.”

She smiled, clearly flattered by his invite, and flashed me a quick look before she turned back to him and said, “Totally, sounds great.” I watched with rising annoyance as they exchanged numbers. My muscles tensed in anger as he walked away. She noticed my irritation, which I hadn’t bothered to hide. “What?”

“You’re really going to a party with Brad?” I asked, disdain evident in my voice.

“Yeah, so? Brad seems nice, and he’s cute.” She looked at me with eyes suddenly cold and hard.

“Whatever,” I answered, pretending not to care when in fact, the thought of her and Brad together made a hot, red anger well up inside me. I had no right to say anything, so I kept my mouth shut. One thing was for sure, though. I was going to be at that party, no matter what.

***

Later that night, I showed up at the party about an hour in and found a large crowd outside the frat house near campus. Brittney clung to my arm, and I let out a frustrated sigh as I had to practically drag her around. My eyes were alert, scanning the crowd for Alyssa. I didn’t see her anywhere and was stupidly hopeful she’d changed her mind.

I was on my second beer, finally relaxing and having fun, when Brittney pulled me out onto the dance floor to dance. In the heat of the crowd, I saw Alyssa with Brad. They were dancing really close together, his hands on her hips. I felt that same hot anger and stormed away, leaving a wasted Brittney in the middle of the dance floor.

Walking upstairs, I ignored the couples making out. I stood alone, trying to calm myself down, and finally decided to just go home. I wasn’t having much fun watching Alyssa get hot and heavy with one of my teammates. I pushed through the horny college students on the stairs and froze as Brad suddenly appeared, pulling a girl upstairs.

I was surprised it wasn’t Alyssa and immediately wondered where she was. I made my way across the dance floor, searching the crowd. I stumbled outside the frat house, worrying that I hadn’t found her inside. Then I spotted her as I turned to go back into the house. She wasn’t too far away, standing alone.

I hurried over to her. “Alyssa!”

She looked at me, and I saw tears pouring down her face. “What?” she asked, sniffling and wiping away tears.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her, placing my hand gently on her arm.

“Nothing…it’s stupid.” Her voice was shaky and quiet.

“Is it Brad?” I asked quietly. She nodded, the tears flowing more freely. I reached out and folded her into my arms. “C’mon. Let me take you home.” I guided her to my car.

As we drove home, she explained through her tears how Brad had made a move on her but that she didn’t want to sleep with him. She told me he ditched her after calling her a bitch and refusing to give her a ride home.