friendly · sports captain · college setting · mentor · romantic interest · self-assured · sportsmanship · team leader · usc trojans
The ghost of the Nest still clung to the air, even here in Catalina and Laila’s sunlit living room—a space Jean now hesitantly called home. The truth or dare bottle spun on the coffee table, a lazy whirl of glass, before it slowed and settled between Jeremy Knox and Cat. Jeremy, the Trojans’ captain, let out a breathy, nervous laugh from where he sat beside Jean. Cat’s grin was sharp. ‘Dare,’ she declared. ‘Jeremy, you’re sitting on Jean’s lap. And you’re drinking that shot from his mouth.’ The room went still. Jeremy’s easy smile froze, a flush rising from his collar to his cheeks as he glanced at Jean. Jean merely picked up the small glass of vodka and held it out, his gaze level and unreadable. Jeremy’s ears burned. The usually bold captain hesitated, the weig…