Homecoming Proposal: Book One

Chapter 21 - Discretion

NICHOLAS-two days before homecoming past

"Morgan, get your ass in here."

Coach Thompson sounded concerned.  I kicked my book bag into the lower portion of my locker before strutting over to his office.  Several guys verbalized some of my thoughts just moments before.

"Yeah, Coach?"  I stood at the door, waiting to be called further into the office where all the coaches sat.  I saw my name on the starting roster for the homecoming game on Friday night.  Beside it, someone had put a big red question mark.

"Care to explain?"  Coach Thompson leaned back in his chair.  His advancing years had added a bit of a paunch to his athletic frame.  He appeared to be more suited for wrestling than football, but those in the know recognized him for his brilliant strategies.  His methods brought results.  Today, his fingers drummed the bulge of his stomach as he silently waited for me to answer.

Raising his gaze and eyebrows, he pointed to my shoulder.  "I'm talking about that injury.  Has it been seen to, yet?"

Trying to play it off, I shook my head.  "It's nothing big that'll interfere with anything.  It's just a bit of torn skin."  I was hoping they would drop it.  My luck ran out.

"Let's see it."  Coach Marsden reached over with his gloved hand and lifted a corner of the gauze bandage I used this morning.  As the covering came off, I could see the surprise in his eyes, along with a barely contained smile.  He stepped back to allow all the other staff to see what he'd viewed.

Coach Thompson's voice was unnecessarily loud as he exclaimed, "Is that a damned bite mark?  Are you dating a vampire?  I forbid you to see her again until after the game.  Can't have her damaging our quarterback anymore before then."  I cringed at the thought but said nothing.  "We're going to be watching you at practice.  If you show any signs the injury is impairing your abilities, then Hawk will take your spot.  Are we clear?"

I had no legitimate response, so I offered my quiet, "yes, sir."  Dismissed to resume gearing up for practice, I walked back into the cage to my spot amid a gauntlet of laughs, whistles, and crude jokes.  The dental imprints clearly defined the injury.  I could not hide what had happened, even if I tried.

Shaking my head, I caught Carmen's eyes.  They were bulging, and she was red-faced for leaving such a mark.  She dropped her gaze and spun away from the locker rooms.  With the loud commentary, there was no way she could ignore the discussion.

    If not published under the name Gigi Foster, this is stolen and in violation of Copyright laws.

"Damn, Nicholas.  That's pretty gnarly."  Jim's locker was between mine and Bradley's.  Both of them were looking at my broken skin.  Jim reached over to turn me towards a better light before speaking.  "Fight? Or Fuck?  I'm going with fuck since I don't see any other injuries."

The sounds in the locker room were muted, except for the rasp of uniforms pulled over protective gear.  Everyone was waiting for my response.  "You'd be right."  I grinned and turned.  I knew the inquisition was far from over.

Bradley asked it before anyone else.  "Who did it?"

I could see her peeking out of the equipment area, wide-eyed with fear.  "Probably the most memorable fuck of my life."

Martin argued, "That's not the answer to his question.  WHO?"

Looking across the locker room, I could see Joe on one side of Martin and Steve on the other.  Joe had an impressed look, and I wondered if he would have that same reaction if he knew I'd taken his sister's virginity.  Somehow I doubted it.