Page 92 of The Backup Plan

Me too. Here for it.

Marshall

You’re always here for the drama.

Hayden

It was a joke.

Cameron read the exchange and snorted with laughter. Every spare minute, he’d been with Avery any place they could find some privacy. Stolen moments in their rooms between classes and roommates, another practice room, and an impromptu make-out session in the studio—fully clothed, but pressed against a wall and gasping—left him sprinting for weights each day with an ache in his groin.

He wore his game-day compression shorts under his workout gear on the days he couldn’t chase her out of his head for a few hours. An inconvenient bulge would be harder to hide than the scratches on his back, but it was the sweetest misery, and fueled him every time he threw.

“You’re chucking it this week,” Glamis said. “Have I seen you throw that far before? Have you, consistently?”

“Nope, Coach. I’ve taken the weights up a notch. I like the fire.” He took a snap and dropped back, then aimed at the right post. He hit it halfway up.

“Take it back ten yards and do it again. Tuck your hips more and watch your right ankle. You’re rolling it out a little.”

The ball clanged against the upright, closer to the crossbar.

“Drop it in the center of the end zone.”

Cam winced when the ball bounced ten yards from its target, but Glamis nodded his approval. “Getting there. Keep this going, and maybe we’ll switch things up when we plan for Tennessee in two weeks.”

In the haze of satisfaction, Cam almost forgot who he’d see in Knoxville.

Cameron

I’m here, you clowns.

Marshall

Where have you been?

Cameron

Ball. Adding a few yards, and it feels good.

Marshall

Well, since I won’t see you on the field, get it, buddy. Nice to see you in a good mood.

Hayden

No, it’s not. My misery should be shared.

Cameron

What are we miserable about, Hammy?

Hayden

The only thing there is to be miserable about. Women.

Cameron

*Clutches pearls* You? Never.