You win

Westerman - all of it

I rush down the steps, my eyes darting through the crowd mixed with dancing, drinking, making out, a little bit of everything, searching for a glimpse of a heated brunette.

"What happened?" The voice behind me jolts my irritation as I turn to look at Alix.

"Are you happy now?"

"It was just a game; I'd never want her to feel bad—"

"Like hell, you didn't." I interrupt, my tone sharp. "I think you forget I know you, Alix; you want to bullshit me and everyone else here, fine. But don't try it on my girlfriend."

Her face falls slightly, and I turn to make my way out the apartment pushing past the hive of people and down the flight of stairs to the lobby. I scan the area, gazing over the family in the seating area, then to the rotating glass doors where two girls are walking in. I then spot Del on the other side standing by the side of the road.

In a matter of seconds, I'm by her side, watching as she taps her foot impatiently on the cement, her thumb extended for a cab. 

"What are you doing?" I ask, my voice cutting through the ambient noise of the street.

"Isn't it obvious?" She doesn't even bother to look at me, her tone clipped and sharp.

"I can take you back to your dorm."

"I'd rather not," she replies shortly, dropping her arm as a cab approaches. 

"Then I'll pay for the cab." My words make her turn on her heel, her eyes piercing into mine.

"What is wrong with you?" 

"Is that a rhetorical question?" My gaze locks onto hers.

Instead of humoring me, she reaches for the door handle, her fingers curling around it. She pulls it open slightly, but I push it back closed, leaning in closer. 

"Lady, I don't have all day," The cab driver tsks, his annoyance clear.

"I brought you here, and I'll bring you back," I say, my voice low and insistent. She exhales sharply, turning to face me. I'm close, too close, leaning over her with my hand braced against the top of the cab door, my arm creating a barrier over her head.

Her eyes flash with annoyance, lips pressed into a thin line. She's tense, every muscle coiled, as if ready to spring away from me. 

"As you said, Stephan, I'm not actually your girlfriend, so you don't actually have to care." Her voice is steady, but I can see the irritation in the way she narrows her eyes, the slight flare of her nostrils. She's trying to keep her cool, but her frustration radiates off of her, along with her warm perfume.

I stay put momentarily watching her, my hand still resting on the door. Her breath quickens, the rise and fall of her chest more pronounced.

"Goodnight, Delezar." My voice rests monotone as I step back, and she turns abruptly, opening the door and slipping into the cab. I shut the door then turn making my way to the parking lot towards my car.

+++

"Listen up ladies." Coach Truman speaks as we're all panting with sweat dripping down our bodies whilst huddled around, some standing others on one knee on the grass.

"Our next match will not be easy, and not because the other team is better because no team is better." That earns a couple nods. "Because it"s the Dowflounzy tournament-" Truman's cut off by some cheering and nudges between the team.

Dowflounzy isn't known for its actual tournament, it's a small town and everything about it is mediocre, the field, stands, snack bar, the last update the place has seen was probably over a decade ago, but it's infamous for the motel, it's the one away tournament the cheer team comes along, and girls + dungy motel always ends in the same floozy tradition.

That is, if your single, otherwise its given that you bring your significant other in order to keep regrets minimal and relationships from falling apart, nonetheless ending in the same way. I exhale at the thought of being with Delezar, if last night is a preview of how this away tournament will go were certainly fucked, the last thing I need is for our relationship to look problematic in front of the coaches and my parents.

"That being said, I expect you all to stay focused, and for the love of God, bring condoms. I don't need another Tanner situation." Truman finishes, rubbing his temples with an old, wrinkled finger before walking away. In response, we huddle together as Demarcus calls the chant.

"UFN on three, 1...2...3..."

"UFN!" We finish in unison, then head off to gather our things and hit the locker room.

"You planning on staying loyal for Dowflounzy?" Kevin Leonard speaks up, a towel around his pale freckled shoulders, sweat dripping from his ginger hair. There are only two things I know about Kevin: he's a big bench warmer—QB2—and has an even bigger mouth.

"I am," I state, opening my locker and putting my things inside.

"Smart move. Sofia Delezar's untouchable." He leans his back against the locker, and my eyes narrow at his comment.

"Or maybe she knew better and had no interest in fucking you," Demarcus interjects, opening his locker and putting his things in.

"Well, she's certainly riding it hard enough to keep this guy's head from turning." Kevin snickers. In a matter of seconds, my forearm is against his chest, slamming him against the locker with a loud clang, the room falling silent.

"Say that shit again." 

"Westerman, a word." Truman's voice carries through the room, and Kevin pushes me off walking away. I turn my eyes to Truman, who stands unimpressed outside his office.

I head towards him as he leads me inside, shutting the door and blinds behind him. I take a seat in the leather chair across from his desk.

"About that—" I start.

"I'm not worried about whatever that was. The son of a gun can't keep his mouth shut," Truman states while settling into his leather wheeled chair at his desk. "I didn't bring you in to give you shit this time. In fact, I wanted to say I'm impressed. Fundamentally, you're excelling. You've always been strong on the fundamentals, but beyond that, you participated in a fundraiser for female athletes, and I haven't seen your name in the press for the wrong reasons. I'm impressed."

"Thanks, co—"

"I want it to stay that way," he cuts me off, leaning forward, his eyes piercing into mine. "Dowflounzy is this Friday, and I expect your reputation to remain as it is now. No excessive partying, and keep the girls to a minimum, especially ones from other teams." He pauses, his gaze unwavering. "Especially girlfriends from other teams."

Not my proudest moment, especially when the guy found out and made it his life's goal to see how many times he could tackle the shit out of me on the field.

"In my defense—" I start.

"You didn't know, yes, I heard." He finishes for me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Well, I actually have a girlfriend now." His eyebrows lift slightly, as if trying to determine if I'm joking.

"Hm," he muses, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers. "She's doing you some good."  He nods. "This unlucky lady go here?" He smiles, and I lightly roll my eyes.

"Yeah, she's actually the women's soccer captain. So—"

"Sofia Delezar," he finishes my sentence. "Amazing young woman, keeps Dean Richard on his toes," he states. "Anyway, you're free to go."

I get up from the chair, and as my hand reaches for the gold knob, Truman speaks again.

"Word of advice, Westerman, don't fuck it up. All of it."

A/N: Another chapter! Thanks for the comments; they give me motivation to write. Anywho, comment and vote! <333