Loving Kinnick (Rewritten)

Your Dad Has A Warrant Out For My Arrest

Before long, Miles was dragging me toward the bar where John promised free drinks on the house. I looked around for Chrissy but knew she would be with Tyler. I couldn't find her before Miles held a glass in front of my face.

John promised it's UV, which isn't strong and perfect for me. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I haven't drunk since the party. Miles must have noticed because he offered to take one with me. I grabbed the glass out of John's hand. Without warning, Miles clinked his glass with mine and yelled, 'go!'

The smooth liquid entered my stomach as early as it entered my mouth. It didn't burn like it used to. I slammed down the shot on the wooden counter, cringing at the taste, considering it's been two years since my last drink. I swore it would be my last, but I am here, so we both know it's not.

Kinnick leaned back against the bar top with his legs crossed over one another. He studied me with amusement. His eyes narrowed as Miles asked me to take another. I didn't want to be the drunk girl at Buffalo Wild Wings, but if the shoe fits, wear it.

"I thought you didn't drink," Kinnick spoke up.

I shrugged, throwing back another shot. The men around me roared with laughter, intrigued by state. Miles pulled me into his side, telling me we would be great friends. He grew on me more than I thought he would. He had my heart the moment he started telling jokes.

I couldn't help but notice the bartender who lingered by Miles. She hung on his every word, captivated by what John calls the 'Taylor Charm.' I understood, Miles is undeniably attractive. Women fell at his feet, but none of them wanted anything more than a one-night stand. He said it didn't bother him. I could tell by the saddened smile that it did. He swore someone would love him someday.

"Are you feeling okay?" Kinnick nudged me.

I let out a high-pitched hum because I wasn't sure. I'm a lightweight who doesn't handle alcohol well. The loose, muscle-relaxing feeling I have makes me giddy but extremely tired. I've only had two shots.

Kinnick gripped my waist, catching me by surprise. Suddenly, I was firmly planted on a barstool while he held me stable. He stared down at me with a grin. I could smell the alcohol on his breath mixed with the minty brush of the gum I saw him spit out seconds ago.

"No more for you tonight."

"Yes, sir!"

I saluted him. He found it humorous, to say the least. His laughter filled my ears, sending shivers down my spine as I sat there, letting the alcohol mix with the sensation. He didn't move from in front of me. It had something to do with him being afraid I would fall. He failed to understand that I felt fine.

"Are you kidding me?"

My head peered around Kinnick to see Luke. The boxer holding me still turned around. His muscles immediately tensed at the sight of our college's quarterback. I clutched his shirt for stability.

"What are you doing here?" Miles asked with disgust.

"I thought you were joking," Luke ignored Miles, stepping towards where I sat behind Kinnick. "You're not staying here, let's go."

"Back off," Kinnick placed his arm out in front of me.

Luke reached under Kinnick, grabbing my arm. I yelped in pain. Before I could blink, Kinnick had Luke on the floor. I stumbled off of my seat, pushing myself between them, but Miles wrapped me up.

"Kinnick, walk away," John warned.

"Bo, go," Luke ordered.

"She doesn't take orders from you," Kinnick scoffed.

"Learn your place," Luke snapped back.

Kinnick hit him without hesitation. I gasped at the sound of Luke's nose snapping on impact. Our team members hurried to get in between them, some of them grabbing hold of Luke. Most of them are holding back Kinnick. I thrashed in Miles' arms, attempting to get out, but his grip didn't budge.

When Kinnick showed no sign of struggle, his team let him go. John moved forward, placing his hand on the fighter's chest to hold him in place. Luke squirmed around, trying to break free from the men holding him.

"Next time I see you Carson!"

Kinnick laughed. "What are you going to do? I'll rock your shit again."

Luke's eyes landed on me as blood poured from his nose. "Wait until I -"

Kinnick smacked John's hand, shoving him out of his way long enough to get his hands on Luke. He didn't expect the boxer to sweep his legs out as he walked away. Kinnick dropped him instantly, climbing over his body. He fisted his shirt, placing his knees over his forearms.

"Wait until what?" Kinnick barked in his face.

People were leaving. Some watched with horror. I thrashed in Miles's hold, not able to hear Luke. Kinnick raised his fist, but John was snatching him off of Luke's body. I watched as my childhood friend scrambled to his feet, ready to fight again. One of his friends grabbed him by his jersey and moved him forward.

The grip on my waist fell. My eyes searched for Kinnick. I saw him walking towards the exit door in the back. I ran after him even though everyone asked me not to. A cloud of smoke drifted into the air, smelling like cigarettes.

"Are you okay? I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

He snorted, taking a drag of his cigarette. "It would have happened if you were here or not. How is your arm?

"It hurts."

He licked his bottom row of teeth, nodding. "I can knock him out if it will make it feel better."

I couldn't help but smile. "You're the worst."

"Possibly," he threw his cigarette on the ground, smashing it with his foot. "Let's go eat."

"Not until I know you are not mad at me."

"Why would I be mad?"

"You left me -"

"I shouldn't have done that, but I wasn't going to stay out there and listen to you talk to Luke."

"Why would I talk to Luke when I can talk to you?"

The corner of his lips tugged upward as he directed his gaze toward the ground. "How about we go celebrate, yeah?"

He shrugged. "The party doesn't start until I show up."

"Then let's not keep anyone waiting."

His hand rested on my lower back, guiding me into the building as he gave me a sense of warmth and safety. Everyone's eyes were on us as we walked into the room together. I heard someone telling me Chrissy left with Luke - something about Luke telling her dad, and not allowing her to stay. I failed to believe we were allowed to stay after everything that happened.

Kinnick told me not to worry about Chrissy leaving; he assured me he would give me a ride home. He patted the seat next to him, encouraging me to sit next to him instead of across from him. Something shifted in between earlier and now. His arm was around the back of my seat, and just like that, I felt untouchable.

"Here are your drinks!" The waitress sat down a tray of shots. "Your food will be out in fifteen."

Under one of the shot glasses, a white paper with a smiley face and sloppy handwriting waited for him. Kinnick pulled the note out, and from what I could tell, it was a number. From across the restaurant, I saw our waitress looking at Kinnick with a seductive smile on her red lips.

He ripped up the paper, "I'm good, thanks!"

"Are you going to get in trouble?" I whispered into him as I leaned into his side. "For telling someone I don't want to fuck them?" He stares up from the ripped paper. "No."

"For hitting Luke."

"Maybe, I should clear my schedule."

I looked at him with confusion. "Why would you do that?"

"Just in case your dad has a warrant out for my arrest."