Fiction/Young Adult/Football/Discrimination
What Does Sex Have To Do With It
Chapter Eight
The dinner with Skyler went okay. We grabbed meatball hoagies from the sub shop down the street and ate at the playground over by the park. Skyler kept getting annoyed with how much Maddox was texting me, but he didn’t make rude comments like usual. In fact, Maddox was the one throwing emoji pouty faces once he learned I was out eating with Skyler. These two, mainly Sky, were like Dr. Heckle and Mr. Hyde. I never knew who I would be dealing with when we were together.
“Lis, wait up.” I almost fell on my ass trying to keep up with her as I attempted to balance myself while walking in a pair of her low-heeled ankle boots. I was the forever-wearing sneaker type of girl. They go with everything, right? I think I’d only worn a shoe with a heel like three times in my entire life. I wore them to three homecoming dances, my freshman through junior years, then kicked those bastards off as soon as I got to the dance.
“C’mon, Sam, hurry up.” Elissa strutted gracefully in her three-inch stilettos like they were a natural part of her body. “The party is pounding already. Don’t you hear it?” The sound of a badass bass echoed through the night air, and Elissa picked up her pace.
This was the first big party of the year. Everybody that was somebody was going to be here. I wasn’t a direct invite but tagged along with Elissa. She knew the host, Shane, pretty well. They’d dated the previous year but broke up, remaining good friends. He lived on a farm outside of town, and prior parties had no trouble, meaning no cops, no fights, and no accidents.
We finally made up the quarter-mile driveway. There were cars packed in like sardines from where we found a spot up to the main lot. There had to be about two hundred people here so far, and it was still early in the night.
“Issa.” I heard a girl call out Elissa’s name from the shadows.
Elissa grabbed my hand and pulled me along at a faster speed. I focused on keeping my balance but failed miserably.
“Bea.” Elissa forged ahead and pulled a red-haired girl into a hug, with me still tagging along. “Sam, this is Bea. Bea, this is Sam.”
“New girl. Football player, right.” Bea had a contagious smile and was more warm and welcoming than most of the people I’d met since moving here.
“Yep, that’s me.”
“I’ve heard about you, and not from Issa either.”
“Who?” Now Bea had both mine and Elissa’s attention. Elissa was more intrigued than me.
“A certain quarterback.”
“Maddox?” Elissa squealed, mentioning his name.
Bea nodded that she was correct.
“Huh?” I was baffled. Yeah, I texted Maddox every so often, and we’d met twice just to hang out and practice, but nothing was going on romantically with him.
“Bea goes to Northside High, and she’s Maddox’s younger sister,” Elissa explained how Bea would know him.
I wanted to clarify the friendship that I had with her brother. “Oh, wow, okay. Nothing is going on between us. We just hang out and happen to like playing ball.”
Bea put her arm around my shoulders. “That’s not what I heard. Seems you got the interest of both celebrities.”
“Skylar, too? Damn, Sam, you have both their attention.”
“And girls.” Bea threw Elissa a ‘you know who’ look.
Elissa stood tall and proud. “They’re bitches, Sam. Whatever they do, we’ll have your back.”
“Who?” Great, all I needed were more people to be on my shit because of two guys, ones that I’m not even sure I like. Especially, Skyler, I’m always on his hit list when the rest of the team is around. But we do get along well when we practice alone. Ever since Maddox was at the field last month, Skyler has taken it upon himself to stay if I don’t go home after regular practice.
“Well, Maddox has his following at school. But since he’s mentioned you, he hasn’t been as active with his groupies. In fact, I’ve heard that he turned down a quickie with Cassie.”
Elissa’s mouth dropped open. “No way. Those two used to go at it like rabbits.”
Bea nodded. “She’s on the warpath now, and I think you might be her main target.” Now her focus was on me.
“Why me? I don’t want Maddox or Skyler.” I hated all this petty girl shit. That’s why I never really had a bestie or a boyfriend. I stayed clear of drama, but now it seemed to follow me wherever I went here.
“Are you sure about that?” Elissa put her arm around my shoulders. “I’ve seen the secret looks that Sky has been giving you when he doesn’t think anyone else is watching. And I’m sure Kortni’s noticed too. And even though he plays for the enemy’s team, you like hanging out, Maddox.”
I let out an exaggerated sigh. “It’s not like that. Maddox and I, well, we have common interests. As for Skyler, fuck, Kortni can have him. He’s just my quarterback, teammate, pain in my ass, whatever, but nothing is brewing behind closed doors.”
Elissa, Bea, and I walked towards the party that was in full rage. It looked like there were people here from both schools, some of the guys had baseball caps with falcons, and some had bears, the mascot of Northside.
Elissa nudged me in the side. “Don’t look now, but hottie alert at three o’clock.”
Even though she said, don’t look, I did. Skyler was standing off to the side of the wrap-around porch as we climbed up the front stairs. The house was a large two-story log cabin with enormous windows in the front. I could see the home’s front room was already packed with wall-to-wall people.
“Sam.”
Uh-oh, I knew that voice, as did everyone else. As soon as Maddox called out my name, all attention was thrown our way.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.” Maddox came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. He pulled me close to his chest and nuzzled at my neck. I could smell the hint of beer on his breath.
“You’re drunk.” I wiggled my way out of his reach.
“Nope. I only had one…or two…maybe three.” Maddox tried to grab hold of me again, but I pulled back.
Bea stepped in front of Maddox. “You need to go away.” She waved her hand for him to retreat like a dog. “I think Cassie was looking for you.”
Maddox scrunched up his nose like he caught a whiff of a foul scent. “That shits over, Bea. You know my heart belongs to Sam now.” His lazy half-smile slid my way.
Bea shook her head. “Ain’t happening, big brother. I just met her, but I can already tell Sam is way too sweet to get caught up in all your drama.” She took my hand and led me away from the gathering crowd.
I glanced back over my shoulder. Skyler’s eyes met mine. I quickly looked away and tried to forget about the glimpse of irritation once Maddox slurred out another ‘I love you, Sam’ as we walked away.
Two hours later, I was feeling a bit tipsy. Not overly intoxicated, but not exactly sober.
Would my dad totally kick my ass for this?
Fuck yeah, he would. Not only mine but the rest of the team pounding down whatever alcohol they could get their hands on.
Whisky shots.
Jello shots.
Beer from the keg.
Cans of beer.
Tequila.
Rum and coke.
Basically, it was a no-holds-barred at this party.
NO! I didn’t drink all of the concoctions.
Okay, maybe a sip of each, but not the whole damn drink.
“I’m feeling…” Lissa stumbled as we maneuvered through the house.
“Drunk? Happy? Dizzy?” I kept rattling answers off before she had a chance to tell me.
“Horny.” Lissa’s lips tilted upward in a grin. “Yeah, I think I want to find someone to fuck.” She laid her head on my shoulder. “You’re so lucky, Sam. You have like the whole football team, plus Maddox and Skyler chasing after you.”
‘Nope. Nope. No, I don’t.” We began our trek down the stairs to the gameroom. A few girls, not sure who they were, edged past us. I heard a few comments—the usual bitch, slut, whore type deal—but I was too concentrated on the stairs and not falling on my ass to give a rat’s ass. “Maddox and I are just friends, and Skylwr and the rest of his douchebag team totally hate me.”
We finally made it to the landing without significant stumbles or broken bones. The room seemed like it stretched out forever. There were leather sofas situated in a semi-circle with a huge-ass motherfuckin TV on the wall. I’m talking like the massive flat screen took up almost the entire wall. It looked like someone was playing one of the newer versions of Madden Football on it. Sucking bad, but then again, I’m sure so would I in this state of mind.
There was a full-size pool table, along with air hockey, a table set up with beer pong, and a huge ass stereo system complete with banging speakers and thumping bass. I saw another group of sofas with a small gathering. Of course, it was all the hoes—females, that is—that always hung around the sports teams.
“Lissa. Sam.” Bea called our names and waved us over to the crowd situated around the large wooden coffee table.
‘Where the fuck have you been?” Lissa plopped down beside Bea. She patted the spot beside her, signaling for me to sit down. I attempted to sit gracefully but ended up wobbling around like a freakin weeble toy. My ass hit the ground with an ‘oof’ and I noticed all eyes were on me, particularly those of Skyler, who I hadn’t noticed sitting here before.
“I’ve been here, there, and everywhere.” Bea sounded a bit tipsier than she did two hours ago. “Let’s play a game.”
“Like what?” The skinny, blond-haired guy beside Bea questioned.
“Which girl can deep throat the longest.” Devon licked his lips as his eyes scouted around the group.
“You’re fuckin disgusting.” Bea wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. And I would have to agree with her, as that was my thought on his suggestion.
“I say,” Cassie, followed by Kortni and two of her girls, Kate and Brie, sauntered over to where Skylar and Devon were seated. “We can play ‘Never Have I Ever,’ Cassie said, sitting down by Devon and motioning for the others to take a seat.
Kortni squeezed in between Skyler and Devon. Sky looked over my way, and I held his gaze for a few seconds. He glanced over at Kortni, sneered, and scooted his ass a few inches away.
“That’s so middle school.” Bea seemed to be the spokeswoman in our group.
“Are you afraid, Beatrice?” Cassie said Bea’s name with as much disdain as she could muster.
Bea sent an evil glare Cassie’s way, one that would send most running and hiding. But Cassie did a classic smirk that seemed to irritate Bea even more.
“Fuck, no.” Bea leaped up, stumbling over Lissa and almost falling on her. “I’ll get the shot glasses.”
“I got the bottle.” Devon waggled the bottle of whiskey in the air. He looked back and forth between Cassie, Kortni, and Bea, who’d just returned with a stack of small plastic one-shot cups. “Fuck, we might need two bottles.” He grabbed another half-full bottle from the table.
“I’ll start.” Cassie filled up all ten of our cups with some sort of cheap whiskey. “Never have I ever failed a test.”
Nine cups were emptied with the question.
“Really, Cass, you’re telling me you never failed a test.” Lissa was the first to notice that Cassie was the only one who didn’t down her shot.
“I never failed. I always did extra credit to bring the grade up to at least a ‘D.’” She smiled proudly at her academic success.
DeAngelo fake-coughed. “Or sucked a dick.”
Cassie glowered at him but didn’t refute the comment.
“I’ll go next.” Kortni leered over at me as if the question would pertain to me only. “Never have I kissed a guy.”
‘Fuck you, Kortni.’ I needed to hold my head high and just take the drink. Would I look like an ass? Uh, yeah, dumbshit. You’re almost eighteen and have never been kissed by a boy. The thought of kissing a guy and my eyes betrayed me to glance over at Skyler and Maddox. Both were looking at me with tense stares as they waited to see what I would do.
I picked up my cup and tossed back the shot. Fuck, I’m gonna be wiped out if they keep asking questions like this.
After I set my cup back down to get refilled, Skyler, Maddox, and the rest of the guys picked up their glasses and emptied them.
Kortni looked pissed at what they did. “What the ‘F’ guys? Why did you take a shot?”
“Uh, I don’t think any of us have kissed guys.” Maddox filled up everyone’s cup, including mine. “Well, maybe, Sky?” Whose only response was a middle finger projected Maddox’s way.
I knew what had happened. The guys were standing up for me.
Maybe?
They seemed to be on my side by not giving Kortni and the girls the responses they wanted.
“My turn.” Some girl I didn’t know—maybe she was one of Bea’s friends—offered to go next. “Let’s keep this going. Never have I ever kissed a girl.”
“Oh, so not fair, Hannah.” Bea picked up her filled cup. “You have a girlfriend.” She threw back her shot and let out a sigh from the burn. “Girls.” She looked at Cassie and Kortni. “Drink up.”
Cassie and Kortni looked at one another, and Kortni nodded. The girls leaned into one another, their lips met, and their tongues wrestled with one another. The guys in the group moaned at the sight of two girls making out with one another. After a few moments, Cassie and Kortni broke apart with satisfied smiles on their faces.
“Damn, a few more seconds, and I was going to join you.” One of the junior varsity wide receivers, the younger guy in the group, rubbed his crotch and drooled like a dog as his eyes wandered up and down Cassie and Kortni’s bodies.
Cassie looked at him with disgust written on her face. “Only in your dreams and my nightmares.”
The rest of the girls, including me, took our drinks and got them refilled before the next question. My head was beginning to feel cloudy. I felt myself swaying back and forth. How I was feeling right now was as drunk as I’d ever been.
‘Oh, please, someone ask a question I don’t have to take a shot.’
“Okay,” Hannah said, focusing her attention on Maddox. “Mad, it’s your turn.”
Maddox didn’t look too enthralled to be the one thinking of a never-have-I ever question. “All right.” His gaze fell on me. I tried to send a telepathic message to him to pick a question I wouldn’t have to answer. “Never have I ever,” he glanced at me once more with a small smile. “Scored a touchdown.”
“Awww, that’s not fair.” Kortni finished her cup before anyone else. “Not all of us are wannabe guys.” Her smirk was sent my way.
Cassie and several other girls, including Lissa, downed their drinks and got refills. None of the guys had to drink on this question.
“Bea.” Kortni motioned for Bea to take her drink.
Beatrice flipped her off. “I’ve scored a TD. I used to play with Mad and the guys all the time.”
Cassie rolled her eyes at Bea. “You’re a freak just like her.” I knew the comment was thrown my way. Cassie’s hate shone through as she glanced from Bea to me.
“Shut the fuck up, Cass.” For the first time since we started, Skyler spoke.
I sneaked a glance at Maddox since Cassie was his on-and-off girlfriend, and Skyler just told her off. But it looked like he was keeping neutral in the spat.
Cassie glared at Skyler, who showed no signs of backing down to her stare. “Of course, you would stick up for her. Sam is probably fucking the team at halftime. Damn, she’s probably doing the home and away teams.” Cassie looked so proud of herself with the comment.
I couldn’t believe she thought I was sleeping with the football team, my teammates, the ones I spent grueling, sweaty hours with being tackled, bruised, and disenfranchised by the whole team. Okay, not the entire team. I mean, Lee and Tye are my friends, but most others still stay clear of me unless we have interaction on the field. I had to stick up for myself. I couldn’t let everything think I was hoeing around with the guys I play ball with.
“Nope. Nope. Nope. I’m a virgin. I’m not sleeping with anyone, especially the guys on my team. And Maddox. Yep, not sleeping with him either.”
There, I spoke my mind. I came right out and told everyone I was a virgin. I let everyone know I wasn’t the hussy they thought I was when I was around the guys.
Never been with any guy.
Never been kissed.
Oh. My. God. I just let everyone know I was a loser.
I lifted my eyes. Everyone was looking back at me. Most looked amused by my sudden outburst. Both Skyler and Maddox had the same sexy, irresistible smirk on their faces, one that I wanted to kiss off of both of them. They looked teasing, yet I didn’t feel intimidated by their manner.
Ugh, what the hell is wrong with me? Why was I thinking about kissing either one of them? Our relationships are strictly football, nothing more, nothing less.
Lissa’s hand squeezing mine brought me back to the moment, one where I wasn’t looking at both Sky and Mad’s lips, wishing they were on me. “That’s good to know, Sam.”
“I can see why you’re still a vir-“
“Okay, next. Lissa, go ahead. You can start.” Bea interrupted Cassie before she got out what we all knew she would say.
“Alrighty.” Lissa was way too excited to be the one calling out the next question. “Never have I ever played strip poker.”
Yep, another shot for me. And the questions kept coming.
‘Never have I ever hooked up with someone to make someone else jealous.’
Another shot.
‘Never have I ever been walked in on by my parents.’
And another.
Keep lining up the glasses because I’ll be here all night doing shots
After shot
After shot
‘Never have I ever had a friend with benefits.’
That was a Skyler question—another one I had to drink to. I could barely get a grasp on my shot glass. It kept moving away.
Swaying out of my reach
Back and forth
Side-to-side
“Yeah, I think she’s about done.” Bea’s voice sounded so far away.
My hand swung forward. I was reaching out, trying to find the body that belonged to Bea’s voice. My eyes wanted to close. They felt so heavy.
Maybe they were already closed. I couldn’t see anything.
A hint of panic hit me. Maybe I was blind.
I would never see anything again.
I wouldn’t be able to play football.
I would have to learn Braille.
“Lissa,” I called out in fear for one of my only friends. “I think I’m blind. I can’t see anything.” Well, I could see a little bit, but it was all a blur. “Not completely, but everything is fuzzy.”
I heard her light chuckle like this was a fucking joke.
“I’m serious, Lis. I don’t feel right.” I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t hold me. I sank back to the floor. “Now, I can’t walk. How am I going to explain this to my dad? How will I be on the team?” For the first time in a long time, I felt tears roll down my cheeks. God, I was such a mess.
“What a fuckin loser.” I recognized that voice belonging to Cassie. I didn’t have the energy to argue back with her right now.
“Shut the fuck up. Not everyone is a hoe-bag drunk like you every weekend.” Skyler’s whispered words quieted Cassie up.
“I got you, little runningback.” I would recognize the voice and scent anywhere. Strong arms scooped me up in bridal style.
I curled into Maddox’s chest and breathed deeply. “You smell so good. I mean, you and Skyler are two of the most delicious guys I’ve ever seen.”
I felt Maddox’s chest rumble as he softly chuckled. “Delicious. I’m guessing that’s girl-code for hot.” He popped me up higher in his arms. “I’m the one delicious, so you say, but Sky, he’s not even close to this level.”
“Fuck you.” Skyler’s snarky remark came from the side.
“Okay.” Shit, I should’ve kept my mouth closed. I mean, I would like to screw them if they asked nicely. But I didn’t want the whole party to know I thought Sky and Mad were totally irresistibly sexy.
“Not you, Sam, my cousin.”
“Sky, where are you going.” Kortni’s whining and annoying voice sounded like chalk scratching across a chalkboard to my ears. “I’m sure Maddox can handle her.”
“It’s your fault Sam is like this. All those fuckin questions you guys threw out, knowing she would have to drink.”
“It’s not our fault, Sky. She’s a fuckin loser who’s never even been kissed.” Kortni’s shrill voice sounded out over everyone else’s.
“I’m done.”
“Whatever, Sky. You always say you’re done, then come back for more.”
Kortni was acting like the bitch she usually is. Why did Skyler have to be with her? He could have so much better.
I felt us going up a set of stairs. I knew both guys were still by my side. Maddox was still carrying me, and the sound of Skyler’s breathing was close to my ear. A door creaked open, and a soft bed was soon underneath me.
“I got this. You can go.”
“Yeah, right. I’m not leaving you alone with her, Mad.”
“Like I would try anything with a totally drunk girl. I don’t need to. I can have any girl at this party, including Kortni.”
“Feel free. We’re done.”
“Yeah, sure. I don’t like sloppy seconds or someone who’s done all the guys on both teams.”
“Like Cassie, right.” Skyler threw in a jab like Maddox had just done to him. “What’s your deal with Sam?”
Okay, I had to try and stay awake for this. My brain wanted to shut down, but I wanted to hear what Maddox had to say.
“I like her. We have a lot in common.”
“Bullshit. You don’t like anyone unless it’s a benefit for you.” Skyler sounded awfully pissed.
“Aw, Sky, You jealous. Afraid I might take your new toy. You know she doesn’t like you, right. She said so herself.”
“Yeah, whatever. I know you’re using her. Kinda weird, Sam comes to our school, her dad’s the head coach, you wiggle your way into having her trust you, then what, Mad, what are you after? Playbook? Coerce her into trading team secrets."
“Nah, we don’t have to cheat to beat your team. It’s all-natural, bro.”
“Fuck you. We’re gonna take you guys down this year. Have you seen how awesome she is?”
“Oh, wait a fuckin minute. Is that the almighty Skylar claiming his girl runningback is awesome? I thought you didn’t like her. That’s what the boys and Sam have been tellin me.”
“Never said she wasn’t good.”
Really, Sky, that’s all you can say about me?
“Maddox.” A voice sounded out from somewhere out of this room.
“Fuck, Cassie. Go tell her I’ll be out later.”
“Told you, I’m not leaving my runner here with you alone. I’ll get Lee and Tye to watch the door so no one will bother her.”
I heard the door click shut from whomever just left.
Aww. I don’t wanna take Lee and Tye away from all their fun. I tried to call out to the guys, but my mouth didn’t want to work with my brain.
I felt myself falling further into the darkness. My eyes didn’t want to open. I just wanted to go to sleep.
“Sleep tight, little runner.” A soft kiss was placed on my forehead, and a blanket was curled in close around me.
I needed to know who tucked me in. I couldn’t distinguish if it was Maddox or Skyler.
Why did they have to be so freakin alike?
Who was the one who really cared?
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