He pointed to two columns of colored boxes with names listed in them.
“After warms-ups, we separate into the indicated groups. If you don’t remember what squad you were assigned to, you will run back here, figure it out, and run stairs until I see fit to let you stop. Do you understand?”
There was a chorus of, “Yes, sir.” The sound vibrated the walls.
“One other thing. Farrow,” he deftly pointed at me, “is a member of this team, and you will treat her as such.”
“Yes, sir.”
That time I was ready for it and didn’t jolt where I stood.
“Furthermore, she is a lady.” Coach pointed to me. “You boys will also treat her like you would a little sister. Hands off. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.”
Before he could dismiss us, one joker spoke up. “She can borrow my cup if she needs to.”
He gestured at his crotch. That got a round of snickers. But then everyone seemed to wait on something, and I decided it was me.
“Thanks. I guess yours is small enough for me,” I teased.
That got a rowdy ruckus of laughter. “Little sister has jokes,” the guy said good-naturedly.
“And the jokes on you,” someone else said from my right.
When the day was over, my muscles ached, and I was drenched in sweat. Morning warm-ups had been almost comical. All the guys were used to the commands called out to do certain moves or stretches. I’d done my best to keep up and not look like a total idiot. Thankfully, no one called me on it. I guess they expected I wouldn’t know. But somehow I didn’t think my pass for ignorance would last long. I’d have to get Cooper or August to teach me.
For the second time that day, someone nearly scared me out of my skin as I pondered what to do about a shower. I stared at my locker as if it had the answers. I turned slightly to see it was Bryant who had come up behind me.
“The time is coming when Banks will get tired of screwing you, and what will you do? How many dicks will you have to suck to keep you on this team?”
My answer never came because an arm thrust forward out of nowhere. A tightly balled fist caught Bryant in the jaw. He fell back with such force, I might have screamed. But I covered it with my hand, and it came out more like a squeak. Then Shepard was moving forward, clearly not done. I reached to stop him, but he was too fast.
Thankfully, our teammates were faster. Shep had his arm cocked back when two guys pulled him off a moaning Bryant.
“What the fuck is going on?” Coach appeared and took in the situation.
“Connelly, my office. Byrant, see the doc.”
Coach briefly glanced my way. The steel in his eyes almost had me apologizing. I dropped my gaze to the ground afraid the guys would be pissed at me.
As the crowd disbursed, Billy appeared.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I snapped.
I shouldn’t be angry at him, but his last name was Banks. Who else thought I was hooking up with him?
“What happened?” he pressed.
Though his expression was sincere, how else could Bryant think we were together in that way? The fact was Billy had talked to Kevin about me. What else had he said? Who else had he talked to?
Instead of answering, I questioned him. “Did you tell anyone we hooked up because that’s a lie.”
I hadn’t yelled the words. It had been more like a stern whisper. Still, Billy glanced around.
“I haven’t said anything about you like that.” I glared at him. He lifted his shoulders. “It’s no secret I’m into you. But that’s it.”
Too bad the lockers were open without doors. I had a strong desire to slam something in his face because I wasn’t sure if I believed him or not. Instead, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
I was more worried about Shepard and what the coach was saying to him. If he got kicked off the team for defending me, I would never forgive myself. I knew Shepard needed football to remain in school.
I shoved the door open and left the locker room not knowing what to do until I found out from Shep what his consequences were.
Now for the third time that day, I found myself clutching my chest as I nearly walked into someone outside the locker room door.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said.
Her smile was pleasant, framed in a pretty face surrounded by wild corkscrew curls. Though she appeared around my age, she was buttoned up in a suit holding a leather portfolio like she was an executive in some big time corporation.
“No, I’m sorry. Though I’m glad it’s you.”
That stumped me. “You’re waiting on me?”
“Yes.” She reached out a hand. “My name is Tori. I’ve been sent by the President of the University as the Freshman ambassador to welcome you to the football program.”
My mouth rounded and let out an “oh.”
“I’m sure you can guess you are making University history, and we want to ensure everything is going well so far and you aren’t feeling uncomfortable or harassed.”
My first thought was Bryant and his mocking words.
“No, everything is fine.” I managed a placid smile as I forced out the lie.
Her grin kicked up a notch. “Do you mind if we walk?”
She held up a hand to indicate for me to head toward the middle of the long hallway. I followed, curious as to where this conversation was going. It wasn’t until we were on the escalator headed down that she spoke.
“Our school doesn’t discriminate on any level including race, gender, and sexual orientation, which is why we have opened
