Misconduct (FSCU Pitbulls Book 1) Read online

  “I never leave a drink unattended.” Her critical tone pisses me off and I snap.

  “Neither do I. Someone handed me a full bottle of water. I figured he twisted the cap for me.”

  “Shit. Someone spiked a water bottle? That is low. You sure you’re okay, Kira?”

  “Yeah, it’s just weird. I have this blank spot in my memory, like someone erased my internal video. It’s so annoying. I keep trying to rewind but nothing’s there.”

  Because my sister is so young, I leave off how guilty, how stupid, and how vulnerable I’ve been feeling.

  “I got to go. But be really, really, careful, okay?” Maybe this can be a good thing, a warning to all of us.

  Alice clicks her tongue. “I’m a lot smarter than you give me credit for. Bye. I got to go.”

  “Wait, can you give your phone, to Mom.”

  “Fine.” She does a heavy sigh and I picture the eye roll she normally does with it.

  “Moooooommm, Kira wants to talk to you.”

  I pick lint off my comforter and count off seconds as Mom mummers worried noises in the background.

  When she gets to the phone, she fires off her questions. “Do you want me to come? I can get a flight this afternoon and…”

  Good God, that’s all I need. “Mom, no, I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

  “I’m just trying to help.”

  Great, now she sounds hurt. Always, it’s about her. I bite my tongue and force a neutral tone. “I know, I know. And I appreciate it. I love you and I’m a big girl. I’m fine.”

  “Did you give them your insurance card at the hospital?”

  “Yes, Mom. Listen, I’ll call you, tomorrow. I got a ton of homework. Please don’t worry.”

  “Wait. Did they arrest the person responsible?”

  “Ah, no. There were over a hundred kids at the party and someone spiked the punch. The police said they’re looking into it.” That sounds a lot better than I drank from a water bottle when the cap was already loose, and no one is going to do shit.

  I was so stupid. A wave of guilt overwhelms me for a moment, and I take a deep breath.

  “You sure you don’t need me?”

  I laugh warmly. “Mommy, I’ll always need you but you don’t need to come down to South Carolina. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Bye.”

  She means well and tries to be a good mom. It’s not her fault life is so boring and she needs to create drama. To be fair, this time there was reason to be concerned but usually there’s not.

  Star taps on my door, then opens.

  “Can I come in?” The walls are so thin, she had to have heard everything.

  I move some books off my bed and onto the floor so she can sit. “I just, I don’t know… feel so ashamed. You know, that cop implied I slept around? God, what a fucking asshole.”

  She shakes her head, sadly. “Yeah. We learned about this is one of my psych classes. You want to talk about it?”

  “How much you charging?”

  “One-twenty an hour. For, you, a discount.” She chuckles. “But seriously, you may need to talk with a professional. The college has a psychiatrist.”

  “Oh my God, have you ever spoken to Ms. Griswold? She’s like ninety. It’d be like spilling my guts to my great-grandmother.”

  “She still alive?”

  “No. That’s my point.”

  She giggles, grabs my beanbag chair, and sits. Crossing her legs, she purses her lips and pretends to write in a pad. “Tell me, Ms. McKenzie, how do you feeeeel?”

  “Like doing my homework.”

  “Seriously, Kira, talk to me.” Her turquoise eyes plead.

  “Fine. First off, there’s a hole in my memory, annoying as shit. You know, like when the dentist drills out a cavity and your tongue keeps trying to find it? I can’t stop going back to that night and force myself to remember something but nada.”

  “Go on.” She pretend-scribbles in her pad and looks up, brows raised.

  “I think, once you start your practice, you may need to change your hair color.”

  “Blue?” She snickers with a hand to her long pink hair.

  “Uh-huh, that’ll work.”

  “I do believe you are stalling.” She glances down at her virtual notes. “And, while interesting, zearching for memories eez not a feeling.”

  “Ah, you’re so right Dr. Freund-Hilda. I’m frustrated. Lost memories are annoying and, to be honest, a little scary. What if I did or said something while I was zoned out? Even though the hospital assured me I didn’t have sex, I feel so damn violated. How could I let this happen?”

  “Not your fault.” Star gets up and hugs me.

  “And for heaven’s sake, why Ed-the-bed?”

  “Jackson, me, and Ryan went to talk to him.” He thought you were drunk and says you wanted it.

  I pop up his picture from the college web site. “Seriously? No way.”

  “He says you were in his freshman algebra and are good friends.”

  “It was a huge class but we never hung out. Damn, it sounds like he’s going to get away with this.”

  Chapter 7

  Ryan

  Even though we won the game, the famous CJ Quinn has every right to give us hell. Sitting on the bench, I let him have a go at me.

  He paces the small locker space, shaking his head back and forth. “Where the fuck was your head today?”

  “Sorry, Coach. It won’t happen again.” I don’t know what else to say because I’m at a loss. I have no idea why I sucked wind.

  “Damn right it won’t. Everyone, back on the field. We’re going to go over each and every one of the plays you missed until you get it right.” He blows his whistle, we grab our mouthpieces and helmets, then trot out onto the field.

  Mother Nature’s pissed as well. Not only does she soak us with buckets of water, she turns the field into a slippery-as-hell mud pit. By the time I get back to the dorm, it’s dark. Despite the ice bath, my sore muscles ache like mad. I’m exhausted and still have a pile of homework before I can turn in.

  All week long, CJ gives extra practices. I run, catch, and tackle until nothing’s left but pain. The only bright spot in my week is public speaking, sitting next to Kira. Finally, on Friday, the team gets one whole hour free so I text her to meet me in the Student Union. I need to explain how I can’t see her anymore. Using the long week for soul searching, I know why I was off my game. It’s her. I may need a young priest, an old priest, and some holy water but somehow, I need to exorcise her from my brain.

  All my good intensions go down the drain when her smile shines across the room. She’s a summer day in a cornfield in the back of a pickup truck. Under her spell, I rush to her table with a big grin and wave. After, I lean over, kiss her on the cheek, inhaling life itself as I slide next to her in the booth. Our thighs touch, her eyes shoot to mine, and a blush forms on the tops of her freckled cheeks. My cock jumps to attention as visions of fucking her come to mind.

  For the love of God, stand down, dude.

  “You missed class today so I emailed you some notes.” She opens her laptop and turns it so I can see.

  “Thanks. Coach has been up our asses. Our first game was total shit.” Before I turn chicken, turn tail and run, I need to end this thing between us. “Listen. I ah… I’m sorry I haven’t been around.”

  “I understand, you don’t need to apologize.” Her hand covers mine and a shiver goes down my back.

  I want her in my bed and in my life but I force myself to see into the future. It goes something like this. We’ll date and I’ll be so damn into her, I’ll lose my chances at the draft. Even if I manage to get a degree, I’ll struggle in some mundane job, unable to support her. She’ll be the breadwinner and I’ll be her loser boyfriend until she gets tired of my ass and dumps me.

  Fuck, if I’ll let that happen. “I ah… We can’t be a thing.”

  “We’re not a thing. We’re friends… Are we
back to that again?” Her hand jerks back onto her lap and abruptly, my summer turns to winter.

  Why does she have to be so damn pretty? Why is her mouth shaped perfect for kissing?

  A stronger man would’ve stood up and left right then but not me. “Thanks for the notes.”

  “It’s nothing. It’s my job.” Her eyes, warm just a second ago go cold and my chest constricts.

  Damn it, Kira, it’s not like I don’t want you. I can’t have you; not and get into the NFL. Making the draft is the only thing I’ve dreamed of since I was five years old.

  I stand, ready to throw in the towel until my friend, Knight, appears out of nowhere. “Can I join you?”

  My gaze shoots to Kira, and sure enough, she’s fucking star struck. Knight is a walking, talking babe-magnet. He dons this Hollywood smile, perfect-teeth gleaming like a toothpaste ad. “No problem-o, I’ll keep the pretty lady company.”

  “And you are?” He reaches out his hand, she takes it, and he lingers.

  “I’m Kira.” Her face reddens.

  Are you fucking kidding me? She shoots him my ray of sunshine.

  “I’m Knight Walker.” Three, two, one… He waits for recognition to set in.

  “Wait. You’re Jake Walker’s son?” Her mouth drops open.

  “Yup.” Knight eats up the attention and slides into what was, until a moment ago, my fucking seat next to Kira.

  She gushes, eyes bright. “Oh my God, I loved him in Silver Surfer. I must’ve watched that movie a dozen times. What’re you doing here?”

  “I just transferred to FSCU. Ryan is one of the few people I’ve met so far. His personal assistant knows my personal assistant… You know how it is? Hungry, anyone? My treat.”

  “Sure. Cheeseburger and fries.” Kira’s too damn innocent for the likes of him. Besides, I found her first.

  “You’ll excuse us, darlin’?” Taking his arm, I lead him to where we place our order. I’ve had my dinner but hell if I’ll leave her alone with Mr. Hollywood.

  “You two together?” Knight raises his brows when we get out of earshot.

  “She’s my friend.”

  “Good. So, I can ask her out.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Don’t mess with her. She’s a real nice girl. Get my drift?” I got no right to keep Kira to myself, so I try to be reasonable. We’re not dating, we’re not anything. Still, I hesitate before I let go of his arm.

  Back at our table, I grit my teeth while he makes his moves. The first thing he does is scoot in too close to her. Next, he steals a French fry. After, he takes another, adds ketchup, then puts it to her pretty lips. Damn, the guy is smooth, too slick for a girl like Kira but it’s none of my business. The coach made it clear I need my head in the game. Saturday, scouts will be in the bleachers. I either look good or start thinking of a career in retail.

  That’s why I bite my tongue as Knight steals the only woman I’ve ever wanted for more than one night. She laughs at his stupid jokes and avoids my furious gaze. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she’s trying to make me jealous.

  Knight glances my way, brows raised. “You okay with me asking her out?”

  Kira’s pretty lips turn down. “Her is right here, listening.”

  “Sure, whatever.” Trying not to grin at his misstep, I swallow the last of the burger and when it gets stuck, wash it down with coke. Then, I stand, acting like I don’t give a fuck and shrug.

  Her eyes get all hurt-like but she hides it well.

  Her next Southern smile is fake, sugary sweet and it matches her tone. “Hun, I’d love to sometime. How about we meet up after tomorrow’s game.”

  “She plays the bells in the marching band.” I add my two cents, like it matters.

  “Really? I did too, in high school.” Knight’s acting deserves an Oscar. He starts talking about mallets, music, and trying not to trip.

  It’s so cozy, I may puke.

  Fuck. She doesn’t even look at me as I say goodnight. So, I guess that’s it. I give it a month before he breaks her heart, maybe less.

  Grumbling outside, I kick a stone and stomp back to my dorm. To get her out of my thoughts, I pick up our playbook, close my eyes, and visualize every move until it’s in my DNA. Only then, do I turn out the light.

  When I wake, I eat and trudge to the field. I want to be stretched out and ready. This afternoon, the scouts will be scrutinizing my every move.

  In the locker room, CJ paces. “Go out there and be the team who won last year’s championship.”

  The team shouts, we high-five, and charge out onto the field. The band plays as I lead the way with Jackson and Quest close behind. Today, the stadium is filled. This is it. Do or die. Every move I make will be dissected but I’m ready, primed and pumped.

  We meet at the fifty-yard line and shake hands with the opposing team while the referee bleats out the rules. Their guy shouts heads, the ref tosses the coin, and presents his palm. Tails. I shoot a thumbs up at CJ as our offense takes the field.

  Arizona kicks the ball and it drops at the ten-yard line. Jackson could’ve easily caught it, but takes a chance, picks it up and runs. Holy shit, he breaks away from the crowd. On their twenty, ten… touchdown!

  After we line up again, Quest makes a sweet kick. The ball with us, we huddle and I make the call.

  With my fingertips on the grass, I shout, “Hut-five-two-hut.”

  The familiar leather hits my hand, I cradle my baby, and send her into the air. Blue sky above, the ball shoots to Jackson’s loving arms who scores again. Damn, we’re in the zone. Other than sex, nothing feels better.

  Thinking of fucking, I shoot a glance to Kira, sitting with the band. She sees me watching her, looks away, and my chest tightens.

  Coach sees our interaction and comes up behind me. “You break up with her or something?”

  “Yeah.” I try to hide my fucking heartbreak, especially once Knight approaches Kira in the bleachers with his gleaming, toothpaste-ad smile.

  She glances over at me, sucks in a lower lip, and smiles at my stand-in.

  “You okay, son?” CJ slaps me on the shoulder.

  “I got it, Coach, but thanks.”

  When Matt sacks the opposing team’s quarterback, the crowd goes nuts. And, in this amazing scramble, he picks up the ball and runs thirty yards.

  “Way to go!” I shout encouragements and give him a high five as the offense charges back onto the field.

  Star bangs on her drum which starts up a cheer, and the glockenspiel bells joins in. Why couldn’t Red play something normal, like the flute or clarinet? Those fucking chimes cut through everything.

  Locking out thoughts of her perfect body, I finish the game and ice down. Finally, me and Jackson go out to dinner with the scouts and my class in public speaking comes in handy. Despite my mad skills with limericks, they’re probably not appropriate. However, back in my dorm, I open my notebook and write down a new one.

  With women I had one decree

  One fuck and then they were free.

  Until a girl with red locks

  Played hell with my cock

  And now it’s complete misery.

  Chapter 8

  Kira

  This is stupid. I hardly know Ryan. He was in football camp, me in band, and we hooked up the week before school started. I can’t possibly miss him so much. What is wrong with me? I’ve never volunteered to be in the pep band, not even in high school.

  On pins and needles, I stand in line with Knight, waiting for the bus to take us to the first away game. His life’s ambition is to screw two cheerleaders at once, so he volunteered to wear the mascot costume. I can’t believe I ever found him fascinating.

  The bus door swings open and I squeeze down the aisle to where a couple of flag girls snarl because I’m too close to the player’s seats.

  One blond glance up with a snarky smile. “Sorry, these are reserved.”

  When Ryan’s hazel eyes capture mine, I’m taken back to a night filled with pass
ion and hot sex.

  “Hey.” His sensual lips turn up at the corners and his brows raise.

  That’s it? We’re reduced to one syllable greetings?

  “Hi.” I turn to find a different seat but he jumps up and grabs my hand. “I, ah… want to come by my hotel room after the game?”

  The blond girl glares so I shoot her my most saccharine smile, then send it to Ryan. “Isn’t that nice? So kind of you to ask, but no.”

  He can’t ignore me for over a week and think I’d sleep with him.

  “Sit?” He pats the chair next to him, I hesitate, and he gives me a sweet as pie smile.

  “Please.”

  Haven’t I been craving him for two whole weeks? Why am I not plopping my ass down in the most coveted seat on the bus? I am getting paid to help him pass English. I guess it wouldn’t kill me to sit down. Once I do, his hazel eyes search my face like he cares.

  “How’ve you been?”

  “Fine. Fine.” My phone pings with an incoming IM and I glance down at my cell phone.

  Star: What’s going on?

  “Is that Knight?” Ryan’s jaw tics.

  Oh, my God. How dare he look jealous? Isn’t he the one who passed me off to his best-bud, Mr. Hollywood?

  For a second, I consider lying about the instant message but I’m bigger than that.

  I drop my phone in my purse. “It was just a friend.” Which you, obviously are not.

  “Don’t let me keep you.” His tone echoes my chill but being the more adult of us two, I ignore it.

  I pull out my laptop, all business. “We should use this time to get you caught up in English. You’re going to have to give a couple speeches. I worked it out with the professor. If I video you, I can post it online and he agreed it would count. However, you’ll need to invite a few others. I can take care of it, if you like.”

  “Thanks. Sure. I ah… Kira, I need to talk to you.”

  “Shoot.” When I peek up from my screen, his mouth crashes down on mine, taking me completely by surprise. My hands shoot to the back of his neck and it’s so damn good, I moan. He thrusts his tongue into my open, eager mouth and I suck. Then, his fingers thread through my hair and hold me while he takes the kiss deeper still.