Cocky Striker: A Hero Club Novel Read online

  By the time we’re showered and changed my stomach is growling.

  “Do you have to go back to school?” Ava asks as I slip her pink sandals on.

  I grab her little hands and bring them to my lips and kiss them. “I do, but we talk every day, don’t we?” She nods. “I promise this year will be over before you know it.” I know she has no concept of time, but I don’t know what else to say to her—she’s breaking my heart, I do know that much.

  Ava throws her arms around me. I fall down to my butt and hug her tightly to my chest. “Don’t be sad, love bug. In no time at all you’re going to come stay with Mommy and Coco for the week while Nana and Papa go on the big boat.

  During our week off in October my parents are taking a cruise, and Ava is coming to stay with me. She loves seeing where her mommy goes to school. I carry her out to the living room where my parents are waiting for us.

  The rest of the night Ava is super clingy and being whiney, which hurts my heart. When it’s time for her to go to bed, I watch her sleep for a long time.

  ***

  I follow Nicole into a little bar near campus. The bartender takes our drink order, not even bothering to card us; Nicole’s twenty-one so she’s safe, but I’m only twenty.

  Nicole knows I can only stay for one round, but I was so depressed when I got back from visiting Ava that she insisted she buy me a drink or two.

  This morning the clinginess was ever present, and Ava was being so naughty. When it was time for me to leave, she cried hysterically, and Dad had to pull her out of my arms. I held it together until I got back to school. Poor Nicole got to listen to me blather on and on.

  That’s when she suggested we go have a drink, which leads us to now. The bartender sets our pitcher of margaritas in front of us. Nicole carries the pitcher, and I follow her out onto the patio with our salt rimmed glasses.

  She pours each of us a glass, and I grab it and take a healthy sip. “Thanks for suggesting this. I knew it was risky going home because she was already clingy last night, but I missed her.”

  “Of course you did. I just can’t wait for her to come stay with us while your parents are out of town. She loves her Coco.”

  As we sip our drinks and switch to lighter conversations, the bar gets busier and people are filtering outside. I finish my glass and excuse myself and head inside to use the bathroom.

  When I finish, I wash my hands and check myself in the mirror. I tuck some loose strands of hair behind my ear. My summer tan is still dark enough that I don’t need to wear much makeup. I fish my ChapStick out of my pocket and quickly swipe some on before stepping out of the bathroom.

  I weave my way through the throng of people that have suddenly shown up. I head outside and see we have company at our table. Chance Bateman and another guy sit in the two vacant seats at our table.

  “Hey, short stuff,” he says with a smile. “I saw you get up from the table, and we decided to crash your little margarita party.”

  I take my seat. “How are you, Chance?”

  “I’m good, better now.” I roll my eyes because he’s so full of shit. “This is my best friend, Trey.”

  I reach out to shake Trey’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too. So I hear you and Chance met because he stole your parking spot.” I smile because I like this guy.

  “He sure did, and he showed no remorse too.”

  Nicole and Trey start talking because apparently they have a couple of classes together. They’re both majoring in kinesiology. While they chat, I watch Chance from the corner of my eye.

  He’s such a good looking guy, and he knows it, but he seems nice.

  “Tell me how things are going? How are your classes?” Chance grabs his bottle of beer and takes a drink.

  “They’re good, but hard. What about you?” Why am I terrible at small talk? Can he tell I’m nervous?

  He gives me a smirk. “They’re good. This next weekend we have a home soccer game; you should come watch us play.”

  I shrug. “Sure. Are you any good?”

  “Oh Jesus,” Trey says. “Nicole, do you want to head inside? Someone’s ego is going to take up all the space out here.”

  Nicole gets up and follows Trey inside, leaving Chance and I alone. “Don’t listen to Trey. He’s an asshole,” he says with a laugh. “To answer your question, I’m really good.”

  “Have you always played?”

  He nods and takes a drink of his beer. I find myself watching his Adam’s apple bob while he swallows it. I look away before he catches me watching him. “I’ve played as long as I can remember. I honestly just have a natural talent for it. My dad played, and he coached me through junior high.”

  “Cross country was my thing, and honestly I only run now for exercise or to clear my head.” I grab my glass and swallow the rest of my drink down.

  “Well, if you ever want…”

  “Chance, oh my God. What are you doing here?” A blonde girl in a skimpy sundress flops right down on Chance’s lap, and I don’t miss that his hand goes right to her thigh. “Come over tonight?” She completely ignores that fact that we’re sitting together and talking. Of course I’m no competition.

  I get up from my chair. Clearly I’ve been replaced, and why does that sting? It’s not like I’m interested in him, or am I? When I step inside, I find Nicole and Trey sitting at the bar looking like they’re in a deep conversation. I shoot her a quick text.

  Laken: Hey, I’m heading home. I’m beat. Thank you for getting my mind off of stuff. Please don’t tell Trey about Ava.

  It’s not that I’m ashamed or embarrassed that I’m a mom, but sometimes people ask questions I don’t want to answer.

  The bar is only a few blocks from our apartment, so we walk. Halfway home my phone dings.

  Nicole: I won’t say anything, but FYI—Chance was just in here looking for you.

  I ignore that last part because he was probably going to say goodbye to me before he went off with that girl, but of course he has every right to. We’re not a couple; we weren’t on a date.

  Once I get back to our apartment I let myself in. I want to see my girl, but after the meltdown she had earlier, FaceTiming with her could be real bad, so I opt to call my mom instead.

  “Hey, honey, what are you doing?”

  “Nothing. I was just out with Nicole for a little bit. I want to FaceTime Ava, but after earlier I don’t think it’s a good idea. Is she okay?” I kick my shoes off in my room and sit on the end of my mattress with my legs crossed.

  “She’s sitting with Uncle Jay watching Moana. I promise she’s fine. After you left, she laid down with Papa and took a nap. When she woke up, she was in much better spirits.”

  That makes me feel better—just a little bit. “Give her a kiss for me. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too, Laken. I say it all the time, but I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished.”

  We hang up, and I decide I need to go to bed and forget all about this sucky day.

  Chapter Five

  Chance

  I spot her up ahead. I haven't seen Laken since we bumped into each other last week at the bar. We’d been talking, and she was starting to relax around me. It was all ruined when Margot showed up and plopped her ass right on my lap.

  By the time I got her off of me Laken was gone. I’d asked her friend Nicole where she was, and she told me that she’d gone home. Margot only interrupted us because she was pissed that I didn’t go over to her place the day we’d ran into each other.

  Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to, bad, but there was something that kept me from walking out my door. Instead I watched porn and jerked off.

  I jog to catch up to her. “Laken!” She stops and turns, watching me as I approach her. “Hey, how are you?”

  “I’m good, Chance. How are you?”

  I hate this awkwardness. Normally girls just fall all over me, and I have to do no
work whatsoever. “I’m good. I wanted to apologize for the other night. We were having a nice conversation and were rudely interrupted.”

  Laken looks down at her feet and shrugs. “No need to apologize.” She looks up me. “I have to go grab some lunch before class.” She turns and walks away, but I’m not ready to be done with her yet.

  “Laken, wait up.” Again, she stops and turns, waiting for me to catch up. For a shorty she’s sure fast. “Let me buy you lunch?”

  “That’s seriously not necessary.”

  I nod. “I know it’s not, but I want to … please?” I stick out my lower lip and give her puppy dog eyes.

  Laken shakes her head. “Fine.”

  I refrain from pumping my fist in the air. I don’t think she’d appreciate that very much. We head over to a taco truck and both order carne asada tacos. I grab us a couple bottles of water and when our food is ready, I grab the tray, and we find a spot at a secluded table.

  I squirt some hot sauce on mine. “I wish I had my cock sauce.”

  She chokes on a bite of her taco. “Cock sauce?”

  I start to laugh. “It’s sriracha, but my dad has always called it cock sauce, and it kind of stuck.”

  Conservation is stalled as we both dig in. For a petite woman she can sure pack it away. Of course, I’m no dummy and don’t plan on telling her that. After we finish, I toss our trash and then come back to the table.

  “Thank you for lunch. It was delicious.” Her smile is shy and unsure, but it does something to me.

  “You’re welcome.” She grabs her water, and I try to avoid looking at her breasts as she tips her head back, taking a drink. I force my eyes up until they’re on her lips wrapped around the opening. “Ahem … so I know I asked you last weekend, but you should come to my game Saturday.”

  “It’s a home game, right?”

  “Yeah. We’re playing LA. You can see my fancy footwork,” I tell her as she stands. I follow suit and move to stand right in front of her. “Pretty please?” I can’t believe I’m begging, but I don’t care.

  Laken’s cheeks turn the most adorable shade of pink. Without thinking, I reach out and brush a lock of hair back behind her ear. Her perfect white teeth bite into her plump lower lip, and then she licks it, making my dick twitch. “Okay, what time does it start?”

  “Two o’clock. I’ll see you later.”

  “Yeah, I’ll see you. Thanks again for lunch.” She turns, and I watch her walk away. I’m only human, which means my eyes go immediately to her great ass. Before I can look away, Laken catches me staring at it.

  She shakes her head and continues on her way. Once she disappears around the corner, I head in the opposite direction.

  ***

  I take a drink of my water and try to catch my breath. We just finished our game, and we ended up tied two to two. Everyone played hard, but they were tough. We were just evenly matched.

  Scanning the crowd, I spot Laken and her roommate. She waves at me. I give her a smile and a chin lift. My parents are sitting on the bottom bleacher. I don’t miss my mom looking behind her and up at Laken. I’m sure they’re going to have questions, and before I look away, my mom whispers something to my dad.

  Coach McLaughlin excuses us to head to the locker rooms. I signal for Laken to come to me, and she climbs down the bleachers. “Hey!” She smiles up at me. “You’re really good.”

  “Thanks. Can you hang for a bit? I’ll be done in about twenty minutes.”

  Laken nods. “Sure.”

  I turn and run to catch up with my teammates. Once in the locker room I pull most of my clothes off, slip on my shower shoes, and make my way toward the showers.

  Trey grabs the stall next to me. “I’m fucking beat. That was a tough game,” he grumbles.

  “You played great, man. They were tough.” I scrub my scraped up, grass-stained knees until the green and red is gone.

  I wrap my towel around my waist and head back to my locker. After putting deodorant on, I grab a sleeveless t-shirt and throw it on. I throw on some basketball shorts and then my tennis shoes.

  I run my hands through my wet hair until it’s all slicked back. The tattoo that covers my left peck and runs down my left arm always looks darker when I’m sporting a tan.

  I pop a piece of gum into my mouth and throw my cleats and shin guards into my locker. I stay seated when Coach comes in and calls for all of our attention. “You played a helluva game today. LA is ranked number one, and you made them work for every goal they got. Chance and Scott, you gave your team a hundred percent. I want to see you all out on the field Tuesday at four.”

  He dismisses us, and I grab my duffle bag, throwing the strap over my shoulder. I rush out of the locker room and head out to where I asked Laken to wait. When I round the corner, I find her and her friend standing with my parents.

  Mom comes toward me first and wraps her arms around me. “Hi, baby boy. That was a great game.”

  I smile down at her. “Thanks, Mom. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Dad and I share a half hug/half backslap. “How are the knees? You went down hard.”

  “Ehh … nothing some ibuprofen and antibiotic ointment won’t cure. Are you guys hanging around for a bit?” I turn my head to make sure Laken is still there, and thankfully she is.

  “We thought we’d take you for a late lunch or early dinner.” He looks at Laken and then back at me, smiling. “Unless you have plans.”

  I start walking backward. “Give me a minute,” I tell him before turning and walking toward Laken. “Hey, do you have plans? We’re going to go eat—do you want to come with?”

  She looks at my parents, smiling, and then turns back toward me. “I actually have a paper I need to start doing research for. Thanks for the invite, though, and good job today.”

  Laken walks away and, as always, I watch her go.

  “She’s so pretty.” I look at Mom who is now standing next to me. “Is she your girlfriend?”

  I roll my eyes. “I don’t date, Mom. She’s a friend?”

  “Well, it doesn’t seem like you’re sure what she is.” Mom leans into me. “You should ask her out?”

  “Dad? Make her stop please.” Mom swats at me.

  “I can’t help it. She seems sweet, and she’s pretty—definitely not like the girls we’ve seen you with before.”

  I shake my head as we make our way to Dad’s SUV. It was a possibility that my folks would see Laken and then have questions, and that should’ve deterred me from asking her to come, but I really wanted her to see me play.

  Luckily Mom drops it for now, but I’m sure this won’t be the last time she asks me about Laken.

  After we go eat, they drop me off at my apartment. “Guys, drive safe.” I stand on the sidewalk waving as they pull away from the curb. My watch pings, and I see I have a text from Trey.

  Trey: Hey, bro, party at the house. Be there … or else.

  I head inside, setting my bag against the far wall.

  Chance: Right… I’ll be there soon.

  I quickly change out of my sleeveless t-shirt and shorts—I throw on just a plain white t-shirt and some red board shorts. After slipping on my black Converse, I grab my phone and keys before heading out.

  As soon as I cross the street, I can hear the music coming from my house. This year I knew between school and soccer I was going to be too busy to be a good fraternity president, so I stepped down.

  I’m still active with the Greek life and help Hunter, the current president, when I can. I step inside and move through the large house toward the kitchen. I find our fearless leader pouring a bag of ice into the cooler.

  “What’s up, brother?” We exchange faux punches. “What’s the reason for the impromptu party?” I ask.

  “No reason. We’ve only had a few parties this year so far.” He motions to the cooler. “Help me carry this out back.”

  We each grab a handle and heft the huge cooler outside
to the patio. Our brothers descend on us, grabbing beers. Hunter grabs one and hands it me.

  “How are you, Chance? I feel like we’ve hardly seen you.” We grab a couple of chairs and sit down.

  “Between soccer and classes I feel like I’ve had no free time.” I tip the bottle back and let the cold brew slide down my throat.

  He nods. “I hear you. Hannah’s been on my ass about planning our wedding, and with everything else I’m tapped.”

  Hunter’s the first of us to take the plunge, but Hannah is great, and they’re crazy about each other. “I’m sure, but I’m happy for you, man.”

  Our brothers filter in and out, and the beers flow freely. I’m feeling pretty damn good. Ladies have tried to stop by, but every once in a while we have a brothers only party. They’re usually like the one going on tonight; impromptu, casual, and fucking chill.

  After my fifth beer I decide it’s time head back to my place. I have class at ten and I have some homework to do when I get up. I say my goodbyes and make my way around the side of the house.

  Once I’m back at my place, I collapse on my bed. It doesn’t take long before I pass out.

  Chapter Six

  Laken

  “Is this seat taken?” I look up from my Kindle to find Chance smiling down at me. It should be illegal how good looking he is, and my body immediately perks up. I swear my nipples harden and butterflies take flight in my belly. I ignore it all, though.

  “I’m beginning to think you’re stalking me,” I say with a smile. Of course, I move my bag so he can sit. We’ve done this every day this week. He always tries to buy my lunch. Oh, who am I kidding—he doesn’t try, he just does it.

  I’m not sure why he’s interested in me. I don’t think it’s in a romantic way because he has never asked me out, even though I don’t know if I would say yes.

  “What are we eating today?” Chance surprises me by sitting next to me instead of across from me.

  My heart hammers in my chest as his woodsy scent wraps around me. “Um … I don’t know, whatever you want.”