Page 13 of Playing to Win
Here’s where I can admit I’m a bit of a celebrity on campus—I sound like an asshole, but it’s true. I’m kind of a big deal. Even though I haven’t really proven myself yet. This could all go to shit after Saturday’s game.
My palms start to sweat at the realization.
“They’re probably staring at you too, bud,” I remind Derek because he has quite a way with the ladies and this is his last year. Their last shot at nabbing the unattainable lineman with the goofy laugh and crass pickup lines.
Somehow it all works for him.
“They probably are.” Derek grins and lifts his head, casting his gaze around the cavernous room. I swear I hear a few of the girls giggle. Even a couple of squeals. Jesus. “Yep, some of them are definitely here for me.”
I let him revel in the attention, thankful they’re not all here for me.
Who am I kidding? I glance around, flashing a quick smile at anyone who’s looking, and I hear more giggling. One of them waves. Another one winks. One girl even tugs down on the neckline of her shirt, offering me a glimpse of the tops of her breasts.
A text notification hits both my and Derek’s phones, indicating that it’s our team group chat and I check mine first, frowning when I read what it says.
The social media team will be at practice tomorrow afternoon filming content. Be on your best behavior and give them what they want. We need to build buzz for this Saturday’s game!
Shaking my head, I deposit my phone on the table and continue eating.
“Content? Buzz?” Derek snort laughs. “You telling me one of our coaches wrote this text?”
“Hell no. Someone from the social media team did.” They’re ramping up our social media presence this year. They’ve always been there, but the program has grown and now they’re supposedly going to have a social media crew assigned to every team on campus. We haven’t met ours yet, but I can count on a few people being on the team.
That one chick, Gwyneth, who’s intimidating as shit. She’s always barking commands, her phone aimed at us, trying to get us to cooperate, but most of the time we ignored her.
We were shits last year and it was kind of fun, not gonna lie. I just rolled with the older guys and did what they wanted. Until the assistant coach came to me a few weeks ago and asked to speak to me privately. He requested that I convince everyone else on the team to be a little more cooperative with the social media people.
“I know you all just followed the seniors’ lead, but they’re gone. And it’ll go a long way, acting agreeable and working with the social media kids,” he’d said with an encouraging smile. “You’ll get more attention on the team’s accounts.”
At the time I loved the idea of more attention, but as it grows in its intensity, I’m starting to realize I don’t enjoy it.
Not nearly as much as I used to.
“Hopefully they’re hot,” Derek says, a slow smile spreading across his face as he stares across the room. I don’t even bother to see who he’s looking at.
I think of Gwyneth. She’s pretty, but she’s also a fucking bossy bulldog so no thanks. “Remember Gwen?”
“Oh yeah. She’s mean as a snake.” Derek drags a fry in ketchup before popping it into his mouth. “Tell me she’s not still around.”
“Pretty sure she’s still around.”
“Great. I’m guessing she’ll have us doing trending TikTok dances or some shit,” Derek mutters, looking disgusted.
I can’t help but laugh. “You really think she wants us to dance?”
“You can probably get away with it. You’re a graceful motherfucker compared to me.”
Anyone is a graceful motherfucker compared to Derek. He’s as big as a tank and bulldozes his way across the field, doesn’t matter who’s in front of him. He also bulldozes his way across campus. Into a classroom. A bar. A frat party. Just about anywhere.
“I’m not dancing,” I say firmly.
“You’ll just smile and look pretty like you do.” Derek laughs when I scowl at him. “What? You don’t like me calling you pretty? Or do you hate it because, deep down, you know it’s true.”
I ignore him, knowing he just wants to get under my skin. I’m trying not to react as easily or as much as I used to because guys like Derek? That’s all they’re looking for. A reaction. Back in the day, I gave him one all the time because I couldn’t control myself. Now, I’m considered a leader. I can’t keep fucking around and acting like a fool.
That’s been my plan since the summer—working on myself this semester. It started at the beginning of the year, after I got back to school and realized I needed to get serious about my future. What I want more than anything is to continue to play ball. It’s my love, my passion and I’m really fucking good at it.
But I could be better.
