His Forever Love

“Now you’re pushing mine.” He gives me another sheepish apology before I release him. “Why is everyone still in my fucking locker room when I just told your asses what to do?” I bellow, and everyone takes off, leaving me alone once again. I run my hand down my face, trying to calm down.

I shouldn't have gotten involved. Reid had it handled.

Again, this Willow girl is fucking with my head, and I don’t think there is any way to stop it. To be honest, I’m not sure I really want to.

5

Willow

There has got to be more on this man. I click the page again, having read the same articles over and over at this point. There is nothing to them really. It’s all facts. All things that are public knowledge including where he was born, where he went to school, and a ton on his NFL career. Other than that, nothing more comes up when it comes to Theodore Grayson. Coach Gray to everyone else unless you’re close to him and then people call him Theo.

How is the fact that people call him Theo the most intimate thing I can find on him? He grew up in this town. Went on to be a famous football player and is the youngest college head coach to date. There should be tons of stories on him. Especially in the local paper here in Kingston.

“Doing a story on Coach Gray? Kind of played out.” Keith comes to sit down next to me. We’re all supposed to be coming up with story ideas for The BluePrint, the university’s newspaper. All I’m finding is the lack of real digging no one did on the shiny new coach that everyone adores. It’s annoying. He’s annoying. And so is my stupid attraction to him.

“He’s boring.” I shut my laptop, not wanting anyone else to see my stalking.

“Boring is not what other girls around here call him.” Tell me about it. I don’t know how Zoey does it. I overhear girls talk about Reid. If I do, I know she has to as well. I suppose it helps that he has never had eyes for anyone other than her. We all know Reid isn't going to betray Zoey. I’m not sure I could be as level-headed as her. This Theodore isn't even mine, and I’m having way too many feelings about him. Jealousy being on the top of that list.

“Make sure you submit your ideas by midnight Friday night,” Professor Diggs says, dismissing the class. I pack up all my stuff.

“Want to get coffee? Discuss some ideas?” I check my watch, debating the idea. My list is at zero at the moment, and we each need five ideas to turn in.

“Sure. Can we do Perk North? I like their hot chocolate.”

“Yeah.” Keith pops up from his chair and begins getting his stuff together. I put my laptop into my bag and head out with him. He talks about a few ideas he has. I try and pay attention, but my mind keeps drifting to whether or not Tiffany has social media. Of course I already checked if Theodore has one—he does, but there is nothing really on it. It felt very generic. “What are you thinking?”

“What?” Crap. I so checked out of the conversation, and there's no way I’m telling anyone what I’m thinking. I haven't even told Zoey about my new weird fascination with Reid’s coach because I haven’t wrapped my mind around it yet.

“For a story.” Right. Keith holds the door open for me when we make it to the coffee shop, being a gentleman. He has been since we met at orientation and he heard my major was journalism.

He’s cute in a boy next door kind of way. He’s taller than me, but most people are. He’s fit too. Not as tall or built as Theo but nothing to turn your nose up at. I think I remember him telling me he was on the swim team. Which makes sense with his build. He’s got short, wavy blond hair, making me think he’s from the West Coast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did some surfing back home.

“I’m still trying to think something up.”

“I can see the appeal to Coach Gray. The stuff that’s out there about him falls flat. There is no juice to it. Why don't you ask Reid? He might have some insight.” I’ve thought about that too. I give Keith a look. “Everyone knows who Zoey and Reid are, and by proxy they know who you are with the streaming you two do together. Not to mention you’re a Harlow.”

I haven’t decided if my last name is a blessing or a curse. I’m sure everyone assumes that’s the reason I got into this school, but I try not to dwell on what others think of me.