He Makes Me Weak

Chapter 2

Damian

I watch her disappear from sight and take in a ragged breath. Shit. She touched me. I let her touch me. How did that happen. No one ever touches me. Her brother is watching me and I throw him an easy smile. "So where are y'all moving from?" He doesn't look like he buys my distraction but luckily he goes with it.

"California. Dad needed some space and a new place to get it. So me and Soph volunteered to uproot our lives and move with him until he gets on his feet. I'll be leaving in a few months. The draft and stuff. So I'm sure I'll be seeing you around myself. Do you play? Cause you sure are a big son of a gun. I could use a line backer your size. Damn." It takes me a second to realize he's talking about football. I didn't realize who he was until now.

"Holy hell man. You're Eli Norwood. I didn't even recognize you at first. I never expected to meet a first round draft right down the road from my house today. Man, you're already a legend." He laughs at me and shrugs. "I'm not one yet. I just love the game. It's always been my refuge. It saved my life." That is something new to me because I've read plenty of things about Eli and I've never read anything bad or dark about him.

"Well I'm happy for you man. That's a huge honor to be drafted. Football was never something that interested me as far as playing, I watch it but I've never played. I got my size from wrestling. That's as close as I'll come to playing a sport." He laughs and nods his head. "I knew you did something because I've never seen anyone your size outside of the locker room. You do it professionally?" I shake my head and he looks at my arms. "Never?" I just shake my again head not letting him know the truth.

"What does Sophie do? She a professional cheerleader or something?" I say it as a joke and he looks at me like I've grown two heads.

He can't keep the laughter at bay but manages to speak anyway. "You've just met her. Do you think she's a cheerleader?" I shake my head and laugh along with him. "She's the most awkward person I've ever met. And I'm usually the one the titles goes to. I'm not a huge people person surprisingly." I look over at him and see he's looking at me like he wants to question me but doesn't.

He scratches the back of his neck and looks up at the stairs. "That may be why you were comfortable with her. Soph is a psychologist. That's why she's so awkward. Most of her patients are so screwed in the head they don't notice how awkward she is. Works perfectly for her and it's always what she wanted to be and makes her happy so it makes me and dad happy. She's damn good at what she does too. You'd never know she was shy if you ever saw her interact with a patient. Even outside of work. She's a force to be reckoned with. She's been recognized by a lot of corporations and magazines for being so young and successful."

Damn. The most awkward girl I've ever met in my life is capable of all of that. I really don't stand a chance with this girl. Wait, what am I saying. I don't want a chance with her. She's not what I need. I don't need someone digging into my brain. I like no one knowing my secrets. No one is ever going to know me that deeply. I'll make sure of it. I start heading towards their door to depart.

"She sounds like she's amazing at what she does. Good for her. Well, it was nice meeting you Elijah. I've got to get down to my shop. Since I don't wrestle for anything but fun I had to find me a real job that pays my bills." He smiles and nods.

"I understand completely. One of these days when my body is too wrecked for me to continue, I'll be doing the same thing. Until then, I'll give football everything I have. Then I'll pick up a hobby like fixing cars or something. Just to keep me busy." I'm already out the door when I turn around to look at him again.

"Well that's exactly what I do. I own a shop just on the inside of town and I fix cars for people and fix up old cars for people to race and show off. It's been a refuge for me like football was for you. Can't imagine not having oil and other questionable liquids from vehicles on me daily. Whenever you get tired of ball come see me. Anyway, I'll see you around man." I jump on my bike and give him a small wave as I shoot out of their driveway.