Eyebrows drawn, I asked, “What the f**k are you talking about?”

Slapping my cheek lightly, he answered with an excited laugh, “You kissing Molly, man! Not to put it bluntly, but, hell, Bullet, you’ve been playing like shit for weeks, but one kiss from her and you throw like a damn demon!”

Staring at the screaming fans around the stadium, a disbelieving huff came out of my throat. “Shit, you’re right.”

Gripping my collar, Jimmy-Don pulled me close and declared, “Every game, ya hear?”

A slow smile tugged on my lips. Fuck yeah. Like I even needed an excuse to taste those lips again or press those damn curves up close against me. Bama fans could be beyond superstitious, and I’d gladly give in to their whims.

Gladly.

Fifteen minutes later and we’d won. I’d played as though I was possessed. I questioned if I was—hell, I was absolutely obsessed with Molly and couldn’t get enough of how it felt being around her. Like my problems didn’t exist… Like she got me… Me, Rome, not Bullet, not the famed QB… but me.

At the end of the game, Coach, the cheerleaders, and the band flooded the pitch, as reporters in their masses headed straight to my direction, asking the same damn questions as always, and I gave the same answers, avoiding any mention of Molly or any explanation of that kiss.

After fighting off Shelly and squashing her mission to get us looking like a couple on camera, I made my way straight to Ally’s seats, needing to see Molly again.

Ally was standing next to Jimmy-Don and his new woman, who were all over each other. She looked relieved to see me and threw her arms around me in a hug.

“Well done, darlin’!” she squealed in excitement. I wasn’t exactly being attentive to anything she was saying, too busy searching the surrounding seats for Molly, but there was no sign.

“Hey, speaking here! Devoted cousin singing your praises, getting totally ignored!” Ally shouted in my face. Turning to face her, I gave her another quick hug and asked, “Where is she?”

Crossing her arms across her chest, she smiled, lilting, “Who, darlin’?”

“Cut the shit, Al,” I said tersely. “Where’s she gone?”

Dropping her smug-assed smile, she shrugged. “Said she had to study.”

My heart faltered at that. “She couldn’t stick around a bit longer?”

Jimmy-Don and his new woman came up for air, and the large blonde held out her hand in my direction. “Cassie, darlin’, but my friends all call me Cass.”

“Rome.”

Her eyebrows danced. “I know.” She stepped forward, placing her hand on my shoulder. “One thing you need to know about my girl Molly is that studying comes first, everything else second. If she don’t get at least ten hours of study in a day, she don’t see it as productive and freaks the hell out. I don’t know what more to say. All that time spent in her books keeps her sane.” That sounded about right from everything I’d witnessed.

Looking back at my cousin, I said, “Party at mine tonight. Bring her. Don’t let me down.”

Ally shook her head. “I’ll try, but I wouldn’t hold your breath, Rome. She isn’t exactly a keg and c**k kind of girl.”

“Do it, Al. I’m counting on you.”

With that, I headed to the showers, telling the other players to spread the word about the party and to stock up on beer.

No more waiting, no more overthinking the ramifications of being with the girl I wanted… Tonight I’d make her mine. And I’d kick the shit out of anyone who got in my way.

11

“So… you want to show me your room?’

“Negative.”

Sharp red fingernails ran up my arm. “Aww, c’mon, Bullet. I can show you things you’ve never seen before… I’ve been wanting you for years.”

Rubbing my hand over my face, I leaned back and groaned out a frustrated, “Please, just f**k off!”

The scrape of a chair told me I’d successfully deterred another f**king groupie. I bet their mommas and daddies would be proud knowing they were paying for their daughters to come to college, not to learn, but instead to offer themselves on a gilded platter to the Tide QB.

A slow clap got my attention. When I opened my eyes, Austin was standing before me, laughing. “Rome Prince! Showing some friggin’ restraint with the opposite sex!” His smile faltered when he glanced at the door, and looking to see what had got his attention, I spotted Ally, Cass, and that Goth chick—Lexi?—entering the party.

I questioned why the hell he was acting so weird when he slipped out of the back door without another word, casting one more frustrated look at Lexi. Her face fell as she watched him cut and run, and she spun on her heel and walked over to a group of cheerleaders chilling in the kitchen.

I wondered what the hell that was about, but more pressing matters were on my mind.

I got to my feet, walking in their direction. Ally saw me first, followed by Cass, who stumbled toward me, arms spread wide as she fell against my chest, almost tackling me to the floor. Fuck, she was wasted.

Pushing her back, helping her balance, I titled my chin at my cousin. “Where is she?”

Ally’s face dropped. “She wouldn’t come.”

Anger and disappointment merged in my chest, and I growled out loud, “Why the f**k not?”

“Said she was tired.”

“For Christ’s sake!” I shouted, causing Cass to jolt upright and hold up her cell.