"Keep it up Jordy"

The instrumental of Lil Boosie blares through the weight room speakers just as much as the masculine grunts and testosterone.

Game day is around the corner and Coach T is having a bitch fit after having to cancel practice twice because of little snow storm shutting down campus Monday and yesterday. Our repercussion is to be here bright and early Wednesday morning.

I grumbled all the way here while Jordy chatted up a storm how he was ready to go to the next level in benching.

He can barley do one hundred thirty.

"Am I at twenty yet." Jordy groans.

I chuckle and pat the cool bar, "You are at ten."

On campus, I almost hit some health majors when my eyes fell on my favorite new thing to look at. I'm angry at myself for how I could just overlook a precious face with a body that will send me into an early grave.

She was swallowed up in a big Maryland women's basketball sweatshirt covering up her ass but even the simple things like the way her long, black hair lifts up in a breeze makes me loose my mind.

I swear this was Ginger Demon's fucking plan for this year to selfishly win the women's championship again.

I grumble, letting go slightly of the barbell but catch it when Jordy tethers it.

"My arms," he whines, lifting up the barbell of a simple one hundred and twenty pounds.

"No pain no gain," I remind as he groans, bringing it back down.

"But I don't want to look like a giant rock like you." He wails, pushing up.

"You got it." Tapping the bar.

"Jaylan." Jordy whines lifting up.

"Jordy it's only two reps." I chuckle because Coach T has been on his ass about moving his chicken arms to defend the ball. I'm actually pretty scared about the drills he has in store.

Jordy is getting better.

"I can't," he lifts up, wobbling it. I chuckle, picking up for him and ease on the sides.

"There is no I in can't" I tease.

Jordy grumbles and sits up with his grey practice shirt wet like he ran a marathon.

"Can't I do something easier," he whines.

He is such a kid, my child basically.

"Spot me," I point at Jordy, whose eyes are big.

"No way, move," Marcus orders.

He has a point.

Last time Jordy spotted me, I almost had an episode on a thousand ways to die. I lean down to pick up two one-hundred discs.

Weightlifting is just another check off my list to get my mind right and just feel good. This releases good oxytocin, better than sex honestly. All my anger and grief is transferred, pushing myself beyond limits to not feel eleven again.

After I pump out a double set, I sigh and sit on the bench, stretching my arms as my eyes wander around the weight room. By the serious concentration and angry grunts, everyone here works out their pain and no one here is working out just to work out.

"Show off" Jordy huffs.

"I work hard for it." I grin at his crinkle nose. It honestly took me a while to bench press two hundred and ten.

I sit up scrolling through my phone to turn off my fucking location with Big Red but her name flashes up like a psychos

Gingerdemon: Turn it back on, pencil dick!

I chuckle but listen to her command. On Monday, with a weak fisted punch in the arm and spew of curse words, forbidding me to stay away from Angel face. She is definitely an Angel that's for sure. I couldn't help but touch her face. It's so soft, gooey, smooth, and edible. She tried to hide those dimples from me but they just came out by command by my touch.

Dimples are such a very attractive feature and on Lizzie. She's got me weak in my knees.

I can't wait to thumb her dimples as sweet moans escape her from her lips saying my name, or better Papi.

"Yo, what you in la la land about." Marcus snaps his fingers in my face, breaking my sadistic thoughts over Lizzie.

"Can't I just have a moment" I lick my lower lip.

"Nah, who is it this time?" Taylor chimes in.

"or who is it today." Hollis mouth curves up into a big smile.

I couldn't hide my boyish grin as the guys begin to form a circle. "Who do you think?"

"Ava" Jordy teased.

"Not funny." I suck my teeth.

Marcus throws his head back. "Yes it is."

I crinkle my forehead, "Stop entertainin that shit yo."

I could give two fucks about Ava right now shit even Bree because my mind is tunneled for Elizabeth Lucero.

She is my new math problem, one I can't solve.

"Oh no he sprung over that hot waitress chick from Jordy birthday!" Xavier chimes in.

"Yo, let that shit go." Marcus groans, slapping his palm over his face.

With a huge grin "How come?"

"It ain't even worth it." Marcus rolls his eyes.

I think that's code, I miss Big Red. 

"It's okay to miss her." I tease.

The guys laugh and Marcus sucks his teeth. "Shut up."

"Marcus, it's okay." I tease.

I wonder if Elizabeth has Instagram? Damn, she probably has photos to make me have blue balls for weeks. I dig through my grey Nike shorts for my phone. A few messages from Ava's overbearing needs makes me roll my eyes.

For someone who hates my fucking guts, she sure likes hers rearranged.

"What's Big Red's Instagram name again?" I click on the app.

"Don't care," Marcus grumbles.

"Yes you do, bet you beat off it every night looking at her photos," I jab, knowing he has been cold turkey especially since Faith shot him down. Her rejection took me by surprise because she is a discreet jersey chaser.

"Shut up," he grunts.

"Love is hard sometimes."
My shoulders move, releasing another chuckle as I'm scrolling to find Fireballs Instagram. He pushes my back with force and I cackle harder.

Bingo.

"She finds out you'll be blocked." Jordy points at the screen.

"Why are you?" Marcus teased.

"Yes." He lowers his voice. 

Marcus and I chuckle as I begin my search. 

Alright where is she?

Scrolling through very risky, narcissistic, half-nude selfies and basketball candids, a sense of urgency rises in me. My thumb moves faster as I scan to see if there are any photos of Lizzie. When I find one, I almost wish I hadn't.

Fuck me.

Autumn leaves, pumpkin spice and everything nice.

The three of them are posing at a pumpkin patch on pumpkins, last year by the looks of it, this past October. Lizzie is kissing on a pumpkin, giving me a full view of those mouth watering lips, while Alexis and Red spice pose sexy with their pumpkins.

Anything Big Red does is sexual but she is no jersey chaser. And she will make you not forget it. Last time someone called her that, it was a direct kick in the sac. 

I need more.

I feel like a drug feine, wanting to be high of Lizzie.

Fuck.

Amigas.

I lean on my knees, gawking at the three at spring break last year at Virginia Beach.

How the fuck did I miss that?

The way her tits sit perfectly in a lilac floral triangle bikini top and bottoms to match knocks the breath out of me. Lizzie is lifted up bridal style by Maxine, laughing with her head tipped back  at being man handled by the gingered beast. Alexis is kissing Maxine like she is some kind of night and shining armor with her foot propped up. 

How did I not see this? How!

My cock stiffens from imaging how she basked in the sun with that rounded ass perfectly in the air.

Jealousy rages in me just thinking of how Ginger Demon got to rub that sunscreen on her back and probably on her ass. 

Fuck.

Big Red was all over our asses during that spring break. Well, mainly Marcus while she pretended to hate his guts but batting her lashes at the same time, touching his arm. 

She is fucking good. Maxine is like a fucking secret spy or some shit.

My eyes search over her taglines because now I need Lizzie's account.

Damn it, she didn't tag Lizzie or Alexis.

There has to be more.

I keep scrolling like a stage-five stalker, hoping to see just more hand job-worthy content later. My thumb stops.

Aww shit.

The best halloween candy on campus.

My eyes pop out my head at the three of them wearing silver mini dresses with hersey kisses hats and blowing kisses to the camera. Her dress is tight in all the right places and I'm drooling.

I could kick myself in the as-

"Yooooo is that waitesss girl from birthday! Damn she got some big ass titties!" Jordy leans over my shoulder, pointing out their halloween photo and hitting like.

I groan loudly, making Marcus laugh because I'm literally in for a chew out by Ginger Snap.

"Whoops sorry," Jordy sounds like Steve Urkle and grins widely.

"Playing on dangerous territory Jaylan," Marcus chuckles, taking a sip of his water.

"I know how to look out for landmines," I boast, keep scrolling as my mouth waters more with every photo I see of Lizzie.

I hate Red Dragon for not tagging her. And to think I winged man for her at NWU during preseason.

"I knew you would hit that," Taylor, one of my other teammates, grins, walking over to us squirting water in his mouth.

"I'm not," I clip but couldn't resist releasing a smirk. "Yet"

Even though it would be a dream I don't think Lizzie is like that.

"I thought Rashad put the claim on her," Xavier adds, lifting his leg up on the bench.

"He wouldn't know what to do," I cockily say, putting my phone back in my pocket.

"Ouch," Hollis laughs from afar, where I swear he's taking his tenth bare-ab selfie in the mirror.

My eyes meet Rashad, who is at the Shoulder Press and breathes out a grunt, flexing back.

"And you would?" He lets out a breath, getting up.

"Of course I would," I gloat, with a smug grin.

At this point, I wouldn't know where to start but fuck I know I wouldn't choke like he always does.

Rashad laughs like it's a joke but honestly he knows it's the truth.  Rashad has always come very vanilla with the girls he meets, always leaving his heart broken after just not being confident with taking his shot with any female.

He lacks confidence, ambition, and is uncertain. Women don't cling on to that because it leaves room for insecurity if he would find someone better. It's his pattern, its his MO.

Ever since freshman year, Rashad is just always afraid of taking chances and making commitments. I mean, shit, look at him now, he still battling over why he wants to be a part of the team. He likes the idea of being part of the family but not willing to participate.

I glance at him as he gives his thoughts about me back.  I sit back and look upwards at Marcus, who's typing on his phone and cursing under his breath.

"Maxine?" I grin up and he glances down in annoyance.

"Please stop," He grumbles, and I keep my pestering boyish grin.

"Talk to me, what's on your mind," I probe, placing my hands on the cool silver bars.

"What's on my mind is for you to drop it," he clips, lifting it up with me.

"Marcus,Marcus, Marcus," I playfully tell.

He sighs quietly, battling if he wants to share his cold heart about his true feelings over Ginger spice.

"She keeps fighting it," he begins and grunts lifting the barbell up.

"She been through a lot, you know this," I remind him.

"I know but, she has to realize not everyone is not like him," he vents.

Fireball has been through something that some women don't talk about because typically they are always the blame for their actions, especially with a trusted coach.

"It will take time," I assure him.

"I'll be seventy-five and retired," Marcus sarcastically says, rolling his eyes.

I cackle within my chuckles, thinking of the two old and arguing over dumb ass shit.

"She'll still give you a mind-blowing experience," Giving him a low blow makes his hands slip to retaliate.

"Careful," he slants, and I let out a ragged chuckle.

"So you think I got shot with her roommate," I joke, but I'm deadass serious.

"She too good for you, like good as it good never done anything wrong and goes to church good," Marcus kicks me in the sac with his words.

"I can become a good boy," I tease.

"You really don't want to make it to March Madness, do you?" Marcus arches his brow.

"I'm not afraid of Maxine," I preach and Marcus rolls his eyes.

"You don't understand how overprotective she is over her," Marcus shakes his head dismissing my chances.

"Clearly," I deadpan.

"I shouldn't be telling you this but, when Maxine and I would lay in bed, she would tell me how much Elizabeth matters to her. She wouldn't forgive herself if your pesky, little hands touch her."

"I've touched her four times,"  I answer cockily.

And it wasn't long enough.

"Just how you are overprotective with Jordy, that's how she is overprotective with Lizzie," Marcus notes.

A slight dip in my stomach felt what he was saying, however I know I may a fucking ass sometimes. I would never hurt someone who is as precious as rubies. 

Lizzie is one of a kind and I definitely know she is way too good for me but maybe is just what I need.

My eyes catch sight at Jordy and Hollis smiling at each other finally. I'm glad they get to see each other and activate their wonder twin powers.

"Just let me one time Marcus," I beg, poking out my lip and lifting the press.

"N-"

The gym doors open and Marcus slips from spotting me. He clears his throat, catching on to the bar.

"Fuck," I breath out, lifting the bar up.

I sit up when my eyes catch the ginger demon sashaying in with her little basketball posse.

"Idiots" she gruffs as she struts over to us with confidence and rage.

I hear Marcus gulp loudly as she passes us with pressed lips as if we're homeless bums. She hums us in displeasure, turning her nose up at us. I laugh at her dramatic antics. 

"She is so dramatic" Jordy grumbles.

"Fuck off Jordy" she claps back.

She goes over to lay her stuff down and goes to the free weights and stretches. Of course, she bends down to stretch her legs. Most of the guys here dog stare as she stretches her long limbs and giving a full glimpse of her ass.  She looks backwards, gazing at Marcus, who averts his attention and goes somewhere else.

This is too much.

I roll my eyes, get up from the bench press, and wipe my sweat on my practice shirt.  I walk over to my future murderer, who is now on the ground straddling her legs in a split touching her nose to her knee. "What Parker."

Here goes nothing but I have to earn a way some how.

I chuckle, knowing my presence is that aggravating towards her. "Can't I say hi to my favorite ginger demon?"

"Beat it." She huffs, switching sides to stretch her legs.

I get down and sit in front of her. She looks at me, shooting radiation rays at me with her forrest-green eyes.

"Get away from me!"

Her voice roars like a lioness protecting her cub... Lizzie.

My lips pull up into a smile. "Relax, relax." I chuckle.

Her laser beam eyes scan every feature of my face like a facial recognition to get into a vault... a vault to know Elizabeth Lucero.

"What do you want." She clenches her jaw.

"Oh.... Big Red, you know what I want," I touch my heart with a smug grin.

"My name is not Big Red." Gritting her teeth.

"Well you know don't you."

She grunts, puffing at some strands in her hair.  "Not in your little dick dreams Parker." She points her nail at me like a knife.

Holding my hands up, I couldn't help but my lips to curl up more. "Easy there. I'm just trying to shoot my shot."

She sarcastically laughs as she flares her nostrils lightly. "Again, not in your microscopic dick dreams."

"Big Red, you know I'm not little," I lean back on my elbows, watching her still stretch.

She presses her lips, glancing at me up and down knowing good and well the rumors are definitely true. I typically don't brag but the ladies don't lie.

"The answer is no."

I boyishly grin at her and she huffs at me knowing I'm not letting up on her best friend. "Maxine,"

She rolls her eyes and lifts her arm across her chest, eyeing me down.

"Besides, she is being reserved for someone I have in mind," Maxine proudly says and I press my lips.

Sucking my teeth, "Like who."

"Robert Quinton," she says snarkily, turning her nose.

That fucking nerd?

Of course she would pick the most promising Bill Gates.

"He transferred," I deadpan her.

Transferred to best cyber security school in the world Damn I'm going to miss him. He helped me out with many scandals that could have gone wrong.

"Whatever."

Wearing the biggest boyish grin. "What's the worse that could happen."

"You are not putting your diseased dick in my best friend!" she threatens, only for me to laugh.

"Who said I wanted to do that, I just want to get to know her," I defend with a grin.

"The answer is no" she ends.

"For now." I tease.

"I said no! She is too good for you!"
She furrows her eyebrows, struggling to get up. I get up with ease, reaching to help her up but she swings her hands away from me.

"Get your dried cum fingers away from me," she squeaks, leaping back.

I throw my head back and laugh at her feistiness. "What's with the hostility." I'm answering my own question, because she's probably been cold turkey too.

She huffs, folding her arms and walking away from me. She walks over to Marcus, who caves and clasps on to her waist.

Marcus two plus two, two plus two!

Her eyes grow four times bigger at his barbaric actions and crinkles her nose. He leans in her ear, whispering to her, only for her to turn away like a submissive brat. I chuckle, looking down and knowing it won't be long until they are humping like dogs at the house again.

My phone dings once again, making me groan and jiggle through my pocket. I look at my phone too see three more messages from Ava.

Ava: Are you still working out?

Ava: let's meet up 🍆

Ava: [image]

Damn, she gets on my fucking nerves.

I walk out the weight room, only to find Ava pinned up against the wall in tiny outfit. She curls her finger at me but remains still.  I cross my arms over my chest and she huffs, stomping her foot.

"Jaylan, why haven't you been answering my texts?" She huffs, folding her ups and pushing up her breasts.

Just looking at her doesn't spark the interest I once had. Her face isn't the one I'm beating my meat to and even this outfit doesn't awaken the cobra.

Oh shit.

"Because we aren't in a relationship," I deadpan, watching her take four strides to me and whining under her breath.

"Can't we talk about it?" Ava lightning her eyes for me.

"Ava you made it clear you were done with my games, so why hold on," I remind her.

She cranes her neck and batts her eyelashes, trying to pull the innocent card on me, but I'm not buying it right now. Now that I've seen real, pure innocence, Ava's game turn me off.

"I wasn't thinking straight," She traces her hand over my left arm over the rose. I flick my hand back, knowing I dont like anyone to touch my tattoos without permission.

"What do you want?" I grumble.

"You," she begs with her lower lip puffed out.

Before she could start her whole rant on how much she does for me, Coach T perfectly taps my shoulder with his red and yellow clipboard.

"Good morning you two. Mind if I steal this man?" Coach T smirks at Ava, who is trying to look very innocent.

"Of course, Coach Tyree," Ava smiles, pushing some of her blonde hair over her shoulder with the innocent act.

I internally roll my eyes and look at Coach T, mouthing, 'thank you.'

"Call me later, Jaylan." She purses her lips, spinning her cheer shoes. She walks down the hall, switching her non existent hips, but the ass I thought would do me in doesn't have the effect on me anymore.

Thank God.

"You really got slow down on these girls especially that one," Coach T begins.

I chuckle, shaking my head and we start walking to his office.  We enter and my eyes scan the plaques of awards and former bad seeds whose photos should be burned down but Coach T believes in second chances.

He believes in me.

"You knuckleheads doing arms and upper body today?"

"Yes Coach," I nod, welcoming myself to sitting down on this couch, stinky and all. Coach T eyes me and I smugly grin. He logs into his computer as I grab the soft basketball pillow sitting here, tossing it up.

"You get your tutor yet for Statistics?"

"I did," I grin and he side eyes me

"Don't play with your future," he says knowing about my tendencies of being a fuck boy. He isn't dumb, especially getting constant harassment of my behavior from hurt jersey chasers who didn't believe me when I said one night only.

"I'm not, I promise," I vouch, tossing it up again.

I will admit it's been hard to stay out of trouble but I have been trying to cut back with PJ shit because what he is asking for is a lot and he has to remember im doing him a favor and not the other way around.

"I'm glad you are in here, Under Armor reps have been harassing my ass about you doing some deals for NCAA and school merch." He takes a large envelope off his desk that's buried withing other scattered papers. How does he keep his shit together?

My heart tugs when I took the envelope in his hands.

"It's a good opportunity, Jaylan and I know you have been looking." Coach T says with a fatherly tone. He softens his eyes at me, knowing my choices haven't always been the brightest.

I swallow thickly, not just as the reminder of my mistakes but an opportunity that I move forwards from them. "Thanks Coach,"

His face breaks into a smile and he extends the envelope. "Anytime, Jaylan,"

I look at it in my hands, thumbing the postage stamp  and knowing that this envelope holds my escape from PJ.  My heart thumps faster in anticipation and a small thrill rushes through me.

I should tell -

The single thought sobers me hard. I swallow again, this time at the dryness that chokes my throat tight. The postage stamp amount numbers, $1.11,  blur out of focus as I close my eyes.

My heart squeezes thinking how my mom would tell me how incredible and special this opportunity would be and how she would just make a dinner randomly over something like this. Naturally anyone would reach into their phone to call their parents but for me... I just had me.

Edited by: still_just_me