Shit. I was totally zoned out. I look forward, seeing my teacher’s scowl and try like hell to focus on the lesson and not think about college and what my options are if I don’t end up going to school after this.

Because even if I do manage to get my college paid for, even if I can get out of this town and go to college like I desperately want . . .

I don’t know if I can leave him.

4. Kingston

FOUR

KINGSTON

“Kennedy, you gotta go. You’re going to get me in trouble.”

“Oh please . . .” She peers up at me with wicked playfulness in those pretty eyes, her hands working on the button of my jeans. “If you win, you can attribute it to before-the-game activities.”

She lowers the zipper, but I’m not feeling it. I don’t know if it’s because we never actually made up after our stupid argument, pregame jitters, or the fact that my teammates will be bursting through the doors of the locker-room any moment. “Kenn, I’m serious. Get up. You’re going to get your uniform dirty.”

Her bottom lip pokes out, and her eyes darken, but she doesn’t stop kneeling before me. “Kingston, are you fucking kidding me right now? You don’t want me to blow you? What kind of guy are you?”

“One who doesn’t feel like sitting on the damn bench if Coach catches us. Get. Up.” I’m dead serious because he’ll kick my ass. Not only for fooling around in the locker-room before the game, but also because Kennedy is his daughter, LeAnn’s, best friend. And he’s protective of her.

It’s too late though. The locker-room door flies open, and Bates and Dixon walk in, eyeing Kennedy still perched on her knees before me with my jeans open. Fucking great.

She finally starts to climb up off the floor as they wolf whistle and more members of the team walk inside—including Camden, who doesn’t look too pleased. Probably also worried about the coach seeing.

Thankfully, before Coach makes his appearance, I manage to put some distance between Kennedy and me, and she’s standing tall. Coach looks at her suspiciously as some of the guys around the locker-room sport wide grins. “Kennedy, what are you doing in here?”

“She grabbed my cellphone for me,” Camden’s deep voice answers instantly, and Kennedy eyes him curiously. Please just go with it, Kenn.

“Is that right?” Coach looks at Kennedy, who nods, and I let out a silent breath of relief that she’s not going to be a pain in the ass.