Offside (Pro-U Book 2) by Ali Parker Page B

but her mom was the head of the dance department. She had plenty of money and a reputation to uphold.
    "When I decided I didn't want to dance anymore."
    "When was that?" I gave her my attention as she glanced over her shoulder.
    "When I was six."
     
    *
     
    "All right, so graduation is next week, but because of all the shit Lucas is having to do for the Cavs, we're going to try and plan the party for mid-June." Aubrey twirled the straw sticking out of her Coke and glanced down at the table.
    I was still having trouble swallowing Layla's latest excuse for the bruise on her cheek. A wayward softball that smacked into her at practice earlier that day. What the fuck was going on? I didn't know her well enough to ask, but I was going to pull Aubrey aside and see what she knew. Surely she wasn't so wrapped up in all of the stuff around Lucas that she'd failed to see something was happening in her best friend's life.
    "Mid-June works." Lucas walked up and wrapped Aubrey in a tight hug from behind. "Ladies. How are you?"
    Jayce Moore joined us and pulled up a chair beside Natasha, giving her a warm smile and lifting his fist. "How's the best point guard in the world?"
    "Ready for basketball season to start." Natasha smiled, but I could tell she was uncomfortable. Aubrey and Professor McCraven had a good relationship, which caused an automatic discomfort between Aubrey and Tasha. It was almost like the two didn't know what to say or not say around each other.
    "I hear you. I can't wait to start playing baseball again." Jayce gave her a toothy grin and turned to Layla. "What happened to your freaking cheek? That's not from the pole thing, right?"
    I glanced over at Aubrey and Lucas as they spoke softly to each other and kissed a few times. Why couldn't I have that in my life?
    Lucas glanced up, and my cheeks burned as embarrassment raced through me.
    "Sorry." I smiled and glanced down at the table.
    "No biggie." He moved up between me and Aubrey and put his forearms on the table. "I heard what you did for Jacob."
    "What?" I glanced around to make sure no one else was paying attention. "How did you hear about that already?"
    "I'm close with Coach Billows, and they were all in the hockey office earlier today trying to put together the timeline and evidence of what the fuck happened. I'm so damn glad we didn't come to that party. I swear someone in that Omega House is a rat."
    "Really? You don't think it was just another fraternity trying to fuck with them?" Aubrey asked and slipped her arm around Lucas' back.
    "I don't think so." He brushed his finger by his lips. "Jacob has enough shit to deal with. He doesn't need to add anything else to the mix."
    "Then maybe he should be a little more responsible with who he's choosing to take to his bed. Right now, it's like a free-for-all." I took a drink of my water as Lucas smiled like he knew something.
    "You like him."
    "I do not." I stiffened. "I just think it's silly for you guys to sit around here and talk about how great he is all of the time when he's a whore and a half."
    "And do you know why he's a whore?" Lucas glanced from me to Aubrey. "Do you, baby?"
    "I do." Layla raised her hand, bringing everyone else into the conversation. "His mother married a great guy when he was ten, cheated on him and left Jacob there when he was twelve. He's never seen her again, and he has no clue who his real father is."
    "I thought his dad owned this place?" I lifted my hand and moved it around, referring to the pizza parlor we were huddled up in. The idea of Jacob's mother abandoning him stung me. I understood all too well what being left to fend for myself was like. Where my mother was still physically there, she was mentally miles away. Her liquor made sure of that.
    "No, it's his stepdad. He's loyal to the man because Mr. DeAngelo raised him like he was his own son." Jayce threw in his two cents. "Where I don't really agree with Jacob's treatment of women, I can respect him taking care of his father