Curveball- Strike Zone Series Book two

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Nate

      The tension in the room just exploded around us. Dad has that demanding effect on a room. Running my hand over my face, I looked nervously at Kayleigh. When I feel her hand grip mine under the table, I know she's supporting me. Linking my fingers through hers, I breathe slowly. Her support could change with what I have to say, but I don't think it will. Kayleigh is the only person I know that wouldn't judge me in any way.

     "Yeah, I guess I need to explain." I agree, knowing it's time.

       Looking around the table, all eyes are on me. Kayleigh strokes her hand up and down my arm, soothing my nerves encouraging me to speak. Everyone stays silent waiting for me to spill my news. Looking across the table at Reese and Dillon, Reese nods to me, Dillon just gives me the same supportive look he's always done. They'll stand by me too. Everyone at this table will.

     Taking a deep breath, I begin. "Back in college, senior year, I was having some trouble with my game. I tried to pull myself out of my slump but nothing was working. When the scouts came out to see us play, I knew I had to do something. I asked around and I did... I ended up doing something illegal to get an edge. It was the only time I did it, I swear. I never did it again, but it got me drafted. I know it was wrong. I was playing like shit and.... I needed to get recruited to a team."

Memory
      The scouts are set to come out this season to start the recruiting process. I've not been playing well lately and I know if I don't do something my career is gone. I made a call to our team trainer. He was the only one I knew that would have access to what I needed to get an edge. If I don't do this I'm screwed.

     "This is gonna make you great! I promise, Nate. You won't regret it." He said as he prepped the needle. "Now listen, after a few doses you might feel a little aggressive but don't worry, it's nothing serious. You'll definitely be stronger, hit harder. Your muscles will get bigger, huge! Nate, you're gonna have chicks coming for you, man!"

      "I just want to get drafted." I tell him as I squeeze my fist open and closed, getting a vein ready for him.

      "Yeah. You don't need help with the girls, do you? You're dating Carla though, right?" He asks, thumping the side of the vial.

      "Nah, we're not dating. Carla and I are just friends." I correct him and see him look behind me. I turn around and see Carla standing there. An emotion is there on her face, one I haven't seen before. and quickly vanishes with a smile on her face.

     "Hey, Nate." Her sweet voice filled the silence in the room. "I thought we could grab a drink."

     "Sure, we're almost done here." I say and nod to him to finish up. Carla stayed off to the side of the room, playing on her phone while he gave me the shot.

     "Remember what I said about aggression. If it gets bad, we'll lower the dose." He said softly, so Carla couldn't hear. "Be careful with her, man. I don't think she's what you think she is."

     "She's fine, man. No worries." I assure him, believing that Carla is harmless.

       We walked out of the dorm together and headed for the corner Burger and Brews we hung out at. Carla and I ate, drank and had a great time. Later that night, after we had sex, did I find out just how wrong I was about Carla.

     "Look, babe, I took these earlier." She holds her phone and scrolls through the pictures of me getting the injection. "They turned out great!"

      "No! Carla, you have to delete those now! Do you know the trouble I can get into?" I felt the panic swarm over me. Doesn't she know what those photos can do to me?