Fair Catch (Love and Sports Series) (5 page)

             
Mason and Jake were arguing about a highlight they saw on SportsCenter when Jake’s phone chimed with a text message. Not being able to contain a smile knowing it was Lexi, he looked down to read what she wrote.

Lexi: This is Professor Lyon. Lexi’s phone has been confiscated due to it going off in class. In order for her to get it back, you, whoever this is and Lexi better report to my office at two this afternoon to issue an apology and go over proper phone etiquette in the classroom.

              “Oh shit.” Jake muttered.

             
Mason turned toward Jake and asked, “What’s wrong?”

             
Jake turned the phone so Mason could read the text message. Mason threw his head back and laughed. “Looks like you’re starting off on the right foot.”

             
Mason patted his back and took off for the weight room. Jake could feel his chest tighten. This was not the way he wanted to start things off with Lexi. He could see her little face fuming right now. The thought of it sort of made him smile. Yes he might not be starting off on the best foot, but he got to see her again today, that was a plus in his book. Maybe not hers but he was going to win her over soon enough. He always did.

                                                        ***

              Margo was adjusting her bra when Parker Hill came up from behind and grabbed her waist, startling the crap out of her. She gathered herself before she turned around to look at those chocolate brown eyes that starred in her dreams every night.

             
“Hey darlin’. How come it’s ok for a woman to adjust her tits in public but if a guy touches his junk he is looked at with disgust?”

             
Margo lifted her head and made eye contact with the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. She had a crush on Parker ever since Lexi introduced him to her their freshman year. He was the perfect man; athletic, sensitive, handsome as hell and funny but there was one thing wrong with him, he was untouchable. Lexi and he had a fling for a little bit and there was no way she would break the friend code of going after her best friend’s ex, even though Lexi and Parker were best friends now. It would be too weird for everyone.

             
Margo thought about his question. “Maybe because men are dogs and love watching women touch themselves while us ladies have class and know what’s disgusting.”

             
Parker seemed to weigh her answer and answered with a heart breaking smile. “I think you’re right about that. We are dogs. Do you have anywhere to be right now?”

             
“Nowhere at all.” She said even though she should be writing a paper that was just assigned to her but due the next day. What teacher did that? Especially right after summer break. Margo thought there should be an understanding of easing students back into the swing of things, not bombarding them with useless educational material that they were not going to really apply in the real world.

             
“Great, let me buy you a drink and we can sit and chat.”

             
Parker ordered them both smoothies from the kiosk in the middle of the campus square while she found a little bistro set to sit at. She watched Parker’s behind shift back and forth while he waited for their drinks. God he was gorgeous, and he didn’t even flaunt it like Jake, that made him even hotter.

             
When he turned around with their drinks he spotted her, lifted his head in her direction to acknowledge he saw her and smiled. She sighed. She would never get tired of his smile. She dreaded there last year in college because she knew he was going to go off and do bigger and better things while she was going to hopefully get her masters or get a job. She wouldn’t have moments like this anymore and she most likely wouldn’t see him very much due to his soon to be very busy schedule.

             
A strawberry banana smoothie was placed in front of her as Parker asked, “Why the frown, sweet cheeks?”

             
Margo half smiled at him. “Oh just thinking about a stupid paper I have to write.”

             
“Man, the blood sucking professors already started attacking you?”

             
“Of course, I should have been smart like you and Lexi and taken some summer classes that way my senior year would be a breeze.”

             
He tilted his drink toward her. “Yes, you should have. Haven’t I always told you to follow my lead? Honestly Margo, when are you going to learn?” He said with a grin.

             
“I think I learned the first time I followed your lead and I ended up in a dumpster in the early morning with your jersey wrapped around me and the worst hangover known to man.”

             
Parker threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, good times.”

             
“No, not good times. That was the last time I ever followed your lead.”

             
“At least you have a great story to tell your grandkids one day.”

             
“In order to have grandkids you actually have to have sex and some kind of significant other.”

             
The moment she said the words she felt a flush of embarrassment rise from her toes to her cheeks. What would possess her to say something so candid, especially in front of Parker?

             
He looked her up and down and said, “Don’t worry, there will be men knocking at your door when you’re a teacher. They’ll be begging for parent-teacher conferences.”

             
“I don’t even know if that’s what I want to do but I guess it’s something to look forward to.” She said with a halfhearted smile.

             
Parker probably realized how awkward the conversation became and changed the subject quickly. “So, how about Jake and Lexi? I got a brief text from Lexi this morning about going to dinner with him tomorrow but I don’t know any details.”

             
Margo leaned forward and put her hand on his arm. “I was there.”

             
“What?!” Parker shouted “And you’ve been holding out on me?”

             
Margo relayed all the details of the eventful morning she and Lexi had this morning. Margo specifically liked describing the way Lexi’s face contorted into pure hatred when Jake said to wear something sexy. She already liked the guy for giving her friend such a hard time.

             
Lexi could be so stubborn and such a hard ass sometimes, it was refreshing to see someone push her buttons and make her do things she normally wouldn’t even consider. Never in Margo’s life would she have thought Lexi would go to a formal dinner but Margo was proven wrong, thanks to Jake Taylor.

             
Parker leaned back in his chair and blew out a whistle. “Damn, I like Jake for Lexi.”

             
Margo shoved his shoulder. “I was thinking the same thing. She is always on guard and Jake is able to slowly pluck away at her walls she puts up and I like it. Plus it’s just great to watch her get all frazzled around him.”

             
“I agree. You should have seen her at the football party after Jake approached her on the porch. She was practically dragging me out of there and she couldn’t stop talking about how ‘infuriating’ he was. If I didn’t know any better I would say she has a bit of a crush on him.”

             
“I said the same thing to her this morning. Of course pure denial spewed out of her mouth but I can tell she likes him and is fighting it off.”

             
“Only time will tell.” Parker said while sucking the rest of his smoothie down with his straw. He took her empty cup and tossed them in a trashcan that was right next to them. “Well I have to get going. Keep me updated on the Lexi and Jake situation. I want full details.” He said with a wink.

             
“Don’t you worry I’ll report later, we’re going shopping after practice for a dress.”

             
Parker laughed. “Ha, good luck with that. She will most likely want to buy some sort of peasant gown.”

             
“Not if I have anything to say about it. She is going to show off every asset God gave her.”

             
That comment made Parker frown which caused Margo to think maybe Parker still had feelings for Lexi, he seemed awfully interested in her life, but then again he was her best friend. He was probably just looking out for her and why would he be pushing Lexi onto Jake if he had feelings for her? She was just imagining things.

             
Margo gave Parker a quick hug, which he returned, sending chills through her body. “I will see you later. Keep me posted.”

             
“I will.” Margo waved good bye and watched him jog toward the practice fields. Sighing once again, she picked up her bag and started walking toward the villas to start on her paper but she knew she wouldn’t be able to get anything done because all she would be able to think about was those chocolate brown eyes that called to her in her dreams.

                                                        ***

              Lexi paced back and forth in the hallway in front of her professor’s office, occasionally looking at the clock on the wall.

             
“Where is he?” She muttered to herself. She had to go to practice and she didn’t have time to wait for Jake to show up so she could get her phone.

The
one day she forgot to turn her phone on vibrate, that egotistical maniac had to text her. And how did he even get her number in the first place? There were two suspects, Margo and Parker. She didn’t feel like showing any mercy toward them next time they met up, no she was going to kill them both with her bare hands. Because of them she was going to be what she thought was late to practice and she once again had to see Jake. Why was it that she went three years without even having a conversation with the man but now all of a sudden, she sees him three times in two days? Not that she was counting.

             
She paced back and forth some more when the elevator opened and Jake walked out with a smirk on his face. It took all the energy in the world not to smack the smirk right off his face.

             
“Finally!” She said while throwing her hands up in the air. “Let’s get this over with.”

             
“Am I missing something? He said two, right? It’s ten till so I don’t know why you’re acting like I’m thirty minutes late.”

             
“Let’s just get my phone and leave.”

             
He shrugged as she turned and knocked on the professor’s door.

             
“Come in.” Professor Lyon called out.

             
Lexi pushed the door open and Jake leaned over her to push the door farther open for her so she could walk in. She caught a whiff of his cologne which filled her senses with urges she shouldn’t be having toward who she considered to be the devil’s child.

             
Lexi stepped in the Professor’s office and instantly started to apologize. “Professor Lyon, I’m so sorry, I completely…”

             
The professor held up his hand to stop her and got up from his chair. “Why Jake Taylor, I didn’t know you were the culprit on the other end of that class disturbance.” He sneered at Lexi. “How come you didn’t tell me it was Jake who text you.”

             
Lexi was confused. “I didn’t know it was…”

             
Jake interrupted her. “She doesn’t like to flaunt our relationship around.” He said while wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in tight. She tried to free herself but he was too strong for her, a move that should make her incredibly mad instead made her legs feel like Jell-O. She despised herself.

             
“Oh, I didn’t know you were seeing someone.” The professor said, “You’re one lucky lady.” He handed Lexi her phone back. “Just remember to put it on silent next time sweetheart.” He looked at Jake and put his hand out to shake Jake’s. “Good luck this season, boy. I’m expecting another championship from your men.”

             
“You can bet on it. Take care professor and thanks for being so understanding with my girl.”             

             
His girl? Lexi stared at the two men, Jake had the biggest grin on his face while Professor Lyon looked like he was star struck. Lexi wanted to puke from the attention Jake received, even from the staff, it was sickening.

             
They said their good byes and next thing Lexi knew, she was riding in a small elevator next to Jake wrapped up in his magnificent scent. He turned to say something to her when the elevator door dinged on the fifth floor and a pretty little brunette walked in. Lexi watched the brunette’s eyes widen when she spotted Jake.