Afterward, we stayed up talking. I loved those moments with her. They felt so intimate, and I was looking forward to having a lifetime of them. It was no surprise to me when she told me that she was going for her fine arts degree with a minor in photography. When we were younger, she’d pull out magazines saying that one day they’d write articles about her pictures. That was my Zoey. She never approached anything saying she hoped it would happen. She would make things happen.
I follow them all the way to the classroom. I snag Zoey before she can enter and drop a kiss on her lips. “I’ll meet you for lunch.”
“Mm-kay.”
“Get a room,” Missy says as she passes us. The group of girls she’s with start laughing. I don’t miss the catty shit they say about Zoey, commenting on how her overalls make her look like a preteen. I don’t think preteens have tits like hers. I am in to the overalls. It would be so easy to slip my hand into the side of them.
“Fuck off…” I pause.
“Missy,” Zoey supplies for me. Her body shakes with silent laughter.
“She’s a bitch. I still don't get why half the team wanted to be inside of her.”
“Gross.” Zoey scrunches her nose. “She doesn't bother me. I’m winning, and she’s salty about it. I got Reid Knight all to myself.”
“Damn straight.” I drop another kiss on her before she turns to walk into her classroom but not before I give her ass a soft smack. She glares over her shoulder at me, but I know she’s fighting a smile.
I turn to head toward my class until I hear Coach Billings call out my name. “Someone is here to see you.”
“I already picked a college,” I remind him as I walk over toward him. There have been scouts that have popped up here and there, but I thought that shit was done with. It was pointless, to be honest. I know what college I’m going to. There isn’t anything or anyone that could convince me to leave Zoey again.
“It’s Grayson.” I pause. Grayson. Holy shit, he was one of the best centers in the NFL when he used to play. The man isn't only built like a beast, but he’s fucking smart too. It’s always been speculated that he made the calls for his team when they were on the field. That’s abnormal. He is just that good at reading people. But then he went and shocked the shit out of everyone when he retired after only six years in the league.
“He’s the new coach at Kingston University.” I stand there for a moment in shock. “Yeah,” Coach says with a laugh. “Use my office.” He gives me a clap on my shoulder before heading down the hallway. I make my way to his office to see Grayson there. I’ll be damned. I would be lying if I didn’t admit to being a little starstruck. The man is a living legend.
“Reid Knight.” He stands, offering me his hand. “I thought I should come introduce myself. I’m Theodore Grayson. I’ll be your coach next year.”
“What happened to Meeks?” I ask. “Not that I’m not happy about this change.”
“He retired.”
“I thought you retired too.”
“I was done taking hits to my body. I did what I loved and got out before I got too hurt to enjoy the rest of my life. But enough about me. I’m here to talk about you.” He drops back down in the chair. I sit down across from him. He immediately launches into asking me questions and telling me the plans he wants to put into place. When I look at my phone, I’m surprised to see it’s almost lunch time.
“I should get going. I told my girl I’d meet her for lunch.” I stand.
“About that. I heard when you were offered the scholarship that you requested that Zoey Hawthorne get accepted into the university. That if she wasn’t there, then you weren't going to be there.” I had done exactly that.
“Your point?” I ask. “She’s already been accepted, so does it really matter now?” I made the request to be on the safe side. She hasn't just been accepted without my help; she’s gotten a full ride too. I felt like an asshole for second guessing that, but when it comes to Zoey, I’d rather be safe than sorry. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do to try and make sure her dreams come true.
“Is she going to be a distraction for you?”
“Yes.” His jaw clenches and I know he doesn't like my answer. “Did you want me to lie? My girl comes first and then football. I love football, but I also love that with it I’m going to have the money I need for the life I’m going to build for her. I’m not on the field to fuck around. It’s my job.”