Defending Donovan (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 6)

Her guilt over Preston produces a similar reaction within me. I hate hiding anything from Bex, but I made a promise to Drake. His secret would cause an uproar on campus. I could see girls standing in line to take bets on who gets his virginity, throwing themselves at him left and right. And now that I know him better, I also know he would hate that.

“You should tell your dad. What’s the worst he will say? He’s not going to disown you over Preston. He’s his favorite player. He might be more receptive than you think.”

“Sorry about last night,” she says under her breath. “Jamie told Preston you were looking for me. I didn’t mean to leave you behind. I figured you were in good hands and wouldn’t want to leave early.”

“I was mad at first,” I admit. “But I got over it.”

She cocks her head in my direction. “Did you really let Drake take you home?”

I glance over my shoulder, and at the mention of Drake’s name, I see Jackie’s face light up.

I nod toward the locker room, and Bex gets what I’m putting down. No way in hell am I talking about Drake in front of Jackie or anyone else on the team. Bex can know that I’m seeing Drake in secret. It’s not against the rules.

I walk alongside the court next to Bex, sipping from my water bottle. “He took me home… and stayed the night.”

Her eyes light up. “No, you didn’t.”

I nod. “Well, I messed around with him, but we didn’t have sex. You know my rule about that.”

She bobs her head. “We both have our rules. So, what did you do with him? You know he’s the biggest player on campus.”

If only you knew…

I shrug off her comment. “He’s not as bad as I thought. Still, he’s not getting my virginity. I told him he’ll have to make me fall in love with him to get my cookie.”

She chuckles. “You’re crazy, Tay.”

“So are you if you let Parker walk away over your dad’s stupid rules.”

“It’s complicated,” she hisses, eyes fixed on the players on the court. “Preston is definitely getting a spot on a pro team next year. I don’t see the point in getting into a short-lived relationship with him.”

“Maybe he’ll take you with him.”

Bex doesn’t like my suggestion. Her nose scrunches in disgust, and then she sticks her tongue out as if she just ate something nasty and wants to spit it on the floor. “I don’t need a man to support me. And I’m sure as hell not going to follow anyone. I’m pursuing my dreams first. No man will ever get in the way of that.”

“Yeah, but think about the doors his mom could open up for you.”

She narrows her eyes at me, disappointment crossing her face. “I’m not using Preston to get to his mom.”

“Then make a decision about him already. I know you like him. And from what I’ve seen, he most definitely likes you. I don’t see the problem.”

“I’m scared to let him in.” She sighs. “After what happened with Kellan, it’s hard for me to trust another guy. Preston has a reputation. He’s as much of a player on the ice as he is off it.”

“Drake surprised the shit out of me,” I admit. “If everyone could be wrong about him, then there’s hope for Preston Parker. His reputation isn’t nearly as bad as Drake’s. At least, he hasn’t sent dick pics to every girl on campus.”

The more I think about all of the stupid shit Drake has done, I begin to realize how insecure he is about his past. I feel for him in ways I had never expected. My experience with men is limited, but still, I never thought a man could be insecure about having a big dick. The painful encounter with his ex fucked him up in so many ways.

“That must’ve been one hell of a night for you to change your tune about Drake so fast.” Bex stops to lean her back against the wall on the far corner of the gymnasium. She crosses her arms over her chest and watches the scrimmage playing out. “You hated his guts before last night. So, what changed with you two?”

“He’s still a dirtball. I hate that he whips his dick out for anyone who wants to see it like it’s the main attraction at the zoo.” Bex smirks, a soft chuckle escaping her lips, and I continue, “But he’s not as much of a jerk as I thought. He’s actually a nice guy.”

“You’re totally losing your v-card to him. Don’t even try to deny it.”

“Just because I want him doesn’t mean I’m going to break my promise to myself to have him. If Drake wants my virginity, he’ll have to earn it. He will have to make me fall in love with him. It’s that simple.”