Matti Williams

I was sweating when I woke up. Naomi's tiny body curled up against me. Her hair was laid out everywhere. I had awoken before my alarm was due to go off in five minutes for practice. I was fucking exhausted.

I didn't want to go to practice.

I wanted to stay in bed with the brunette all day long. We stayed awake until 4:15, so around an hour and ten minutes ago we fell asleep. We talked about loads of things.

Such as our middle names.

Mattison Joey and Naomi Jade.

We talked about our favorite foods, when we took the training wheels off of our bikes, and our first kisses. Everything. I had never let a girl get this close to me—I didn't have time for women unless it was getting under their clothing.

I learned that her favorite thing to do as a kid was washing dishes. She felt like she was the boss of the damn kitchen. I was envious, maybe if my parents had shown me more love like hers had, I would've been the boss of a kitchen too.

She told me about her school experience. She played soccer until she was twelve and most of the time she stopped in the middle of the field to admire the flowers instead of running after the ball. She liked winter over summer because the moon came out faster and stayed longer.

She hated sweating, but she loved swimming.

Her biggest fear was spiders but she loved picking up caterpillars when she was a little girl. Hence why she got the butterflies on her neck. She said that all of the caterpillars that she had shown love to when all of the other little girls would scream in fear of them, were going to be with her forever—as butterflies. Because the kids didn't stick around long enough to see them develop into the beautiful life that they had turned into.

I felt like that had a double-meaning.

We talked about her grandparents, how they had been high school sweethearts. She showed me pictures of the three of them together, I of course commented on what a GILF, Liz was. Naomi Jade didn't like that very much. I got smacked with a pillow a few times.

But at the end of it—we both fell asleep with smiles on our faces and our hearts full.

I had felt content—complete.

If I had planned to fall for Naomi like I had, I would've changed so much since when we started. She was not a part of the plan. I was crazy for her. My mind set was always football and nothing but football, I was only ever committed to football.

Instead of plays and stats in my head, I was now stuck daydreaming of the colors that would look pretty on her fingernails.

She had made me a better person. I hit Pete at practice the other day, and I apologized. Who the hell am I? I didn't apologize to anyone.

I was developing compassion. I was developing empathy, and emotion. She was unlocking a side of me that was underdeveloped because of the lack of love I had in my upbringing.

So she fell asleep first and I listened as she breathed. I played with her hair until I fell asleep because it wasn't just Matti anymore, it was going to be Naomi and Matti.

I was so blinded by my ego but I'm so glad I smacked her with that door on opening day.

I untucked my arm from the covers and reached to turn off my alarm before it went off. I slowly slid out of the bed, trying my best to not wake the sleeping beauty. I stood up and stretched. I continued to watch her.

If someone would've told me at the beginning of the semester that I would have a girl in my room—in my bed, asleep, I would've laughed my ass off. She had me reconsidering everything. Including my stance on girlfriends—I wanted one. I wanted a relationship with her.

But this stupid idea of friendship that she had, I had to respect it.

We're doing things the right way this time.

I walked over to my closet and dresser. I pulled out two outfits and shoved one into my practice bag before walking to my bathroom and getting dressed. I smiled as I saw her toothbrush in my holder.

I was becoming domesticated.

I was usually a clean boy, but my counter was spotless, the sink had been wiped, and my mirror was clean without a spect of usage.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I threw on my clothes, and exited the bathroom—ready for practice. It was 5:45. I shut off the bathroom light and walked towards my bedroom door to leave. But I cracked the door open and instead of walking forwards, I turned around.

I walked back over the bed and loomed over her tiny body that was being swallowed by my bed. I leaned down and moved the hair off of her forehead, before laying a kiss upon it. I grabbed the covers and pulled them up to her chin. I smiled at her and turned around to walk out of my bedroom door.

I had felt a woman's love.

I walked down the stairs and saw the boys standing around the counter top. They looked dead. "Reese, buddy did you even sleep?" Caden asked as he groaned. We all chuckled. Griff held out the protein shake in his hands for me to take. I thanked him before snatching my keys out of the drawer.

"Who's riding with me?" I asked as Griff nodded. "We're going with Blake," Caden pointed to himself and Reese as I nodded. I saluted them and then headed out of the kitchen, Griff following behind, his footsteps heard on the hardwood floor.

I opened the front door and watched as the moon was still bright. The keys jingled in my hand as I walked toward Camille, who I had gotten back. She was looking sexy as fuck with her snow tires on.

I chuckled at the thought of Naomi driving the Beemer. Her dream car, eh?

I shook my head and opened my door, "Ay bro, you ain't going to open my side?" Griff commented as I let out a laugh. "Do you look like Naomi?" I debuted as he chuckled and opened the passenger side.

I threw my bag in the back and hopped in. I started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. "So, you and Naomi are good then?" Griff cleared his throat. "Define, good." I speak as I change gears.

"You and Naomi are like Nat and I." He reinstated. I clicked my tongue, "We're getting there." I spoke as he grinned. "I have to show you something after practice." I raised my eyebrows as I looked over at him. The streetlights make his face glow.

"Uh, why can't you just show me now?" I ask as he chuckles. "That would ruin the surprise bro." He states. I raise an eyebrow, "But now you have me on edge." He laughs.

"The golden boy will just have to wait." He teases as I groan.

The drive to Beaver takes about five minutes. It could be less if you hit the right amount of green lights and no pedestrians. I flash my face to the guard as he opens up the gate. I drive up to the player parking and park.

Griffin and I grab our bags and walk to the stadium side door entrance. It was strength day, so that means lots of focus on throwing for me, lots of catching and passing for him.

I could already hear Caden's complaints about his legs hurting after kicking practice.

Walking towards our locker room a voice clears behind me. "Williams—a word." The coach's voice speaks out. I pivot on my feet. "I'll catch up with you later, Griff." He nods at me as I walk towards the coaches office.

I close the door behind me and he gestures for me to sit down. "Your dad called me." He says as I raise my eyebrows. "About her." He finishes as I roll my eyes. "Not shocked." I respond as he chuckles.

"I don't care what you do outside of practice. Just don't let her affect your game play. You already let—" I cut him off. "Nope. Ohio State was a shitty game. We knew it would be, our offensive coach line up isn't that great." I speak in defense of Naomi.

He puts up his hands to silence me. "I agree. I have hired someone to replace Smith for the offensive head position." He speaks as I sit back intrigued. "Well, I haven't hired him yet." I nod for him to continue.

"You'll be the judge to see if he gets hired or not actually. I trust your judgement better than mine in some cases, and this is one. I can't have a good quarterback if I don't have a good offensive head. So what do you say?" He asks as I nod. "Yeah. I agree. If you have enough trust in my judgement, then why not. Who is it?" I ask as he chuckles.

"Ben Black—" I cut him off.

"You're hiring him?" I exclaim as he claps his hands together. "He would be great for the team. That guy is a fucking ledgend!" I continue as he nods. "Yes. But just because you're a fan doesn't mean he's the best guy." I shrug.

"He can't be that bad. So what, everyone gets high sometimes." I rebuttal as the coach stares at me. It wasn't a good stare either.

"Anyways, he will be in this week. Alumni day is Saturday. Your last game. I'm going to try to suck in all of my emotions, so if I cry it's not because I actually like you, it's because I know my team is going to struggle next year without you and Griffin." He jokes as I chuckle.

"You'll be a fine coach. Especially with Black on the line." I speak as he nods, no smile on his face. He clears his throat. "Alright. Go get ready for practice." I nod and reach over to fist bump the old man. I walk out of the office and to the locker room.

Our locker room is pretty decked out. Massage chairs for therapy, ice baths, flat screens, the whole nine yards. Being a D1 school meant that you got top of the line everything. I basically have a closet full of Penn State clothing for free due to being an athlete.

For it being 6:15 in the morning our locker room was fucking rowdy. Hoots and hollering could be heard before I opened the door to go into the actual room. Walking in, all eyes were on me—as per usual.

I nodded towards everyone and smiled at the freshmen because they needed more nurturing than others. For example; Reese did not fucking need to be nurtured.

As I walked to the Captain section, Caden and Reese were grinning at each other. "Why are you two looking at eachother like that?" I asked and slapped the back of their heads. "Their gonna sword fight each other after practice," Blake cut in as Griff and I let out loud laughter.

"You're just mad because I got more action than you did at the bar last night." Reese smirked at Blake as Blake just chuckled. "You had a two-some and one of them left, sounds like you weren't doing the job right." Blake called him out as Griffin let out an awkward whistle.

"You're such a bitch, Blake." Reese squinted his eyes at him as Blake just smirked and shrugged. "Alright, let's calm down." I cut in and turned towards my locker. I opened the door and tossed my bag in the bottom. I froze when I looked at the top and saw a tiny black box.

I looked around to see if anyone was watching before I reached up and grabbed it. Slowly opening it, a wide grin appeared on my face. A voice cleared.

"Surprised?" Griff's voice asked as I shut my locker door. We both stared at each other and chuckled. "Yo, what. Congrats my man." I say as I brought him in for a hug. "When are you gonna ask her?" I ask as he nods.

"Well, I was planning before the game on Saturday." He says as I smirk. "So. You're going to be a hubby?" I tease as he laughs. "That's the plan my dude." He smiled.

"You're the only person that knows. Well, besides her parents, but you're the only one that knows." He says as I make a gesture as if I were locking my lips and throwing away the key.

"I would be honored if you were my best man," He chuckles as my mouth drops open. "Are you serious dude?" His eyes were glowing, glossed as he nodded. I brought him in for another hug. "I would be honored." I commit.

I tap his back as he taps mine.

"That's a lot of skin to skin tapping going on over there." Blake says as we pull apart and laugh. "Blake, when are you gonna get a girlfriend?" Caden asks as we all turn and look at Blake.

He was now scowling at Caden but Reese was getting a kick out of it. "Are you guys kidding? He can't pull himself away from the mirror for two seconds, let alone love someone else." Reese said as we all laughed.

"I don't need one." He denies it as Griff and I look at him. "You'd like it once you got a taste for it." I say as he rolled his eyes at me. "There isn't a girl on this campus for me." He shrugs as I raise my eyebrows.

"I wasn't looking and Naomi wasn't either. It just happens." I shrug as Blake chuckles, "I've been through almost every girl here. Let me correct— I've been with every girl here. I don't think there is anyone here for me." He says as we all shut our blue locker doors. I throw my towel over my shoulder and tuck my gloves in my back pocket.

"She'll come when you're not expecting it dude." I say as he mumbles something. I just walk past him, exiting the locker room and start heading for the field.

Griff walks next to me—helmet in hand. "Between me and you," I say as I look around to make sure nobody could hear. "Coach pulled me into his office to tell me he's hiring a new offensive coach." I say as he nods.

We continue to walk, our cleats making loud clicks with every step we take on the cement.

"Who is it? Do you know?" He speaks in a hushed tone. I nod, "Yeah. He's hiring Ben Black, you know Black Ice." I admit as Griffin coughs.

"He's hiring him?" Griff struggles to speak in between coughing. "Yeah. Awesome right? He's going to be great for the team." I was really excited.

"Coach said he'll hire him if I give him the approval, hell I think I'm going to give him the green light now. He's loyal, he's compassionate, he's a real leader, you can count on him—" Griffin lets out a snort. "He's pretty fucking awesome." We approach the turf. Griff slaps my shoulder pads and starts sprinting off.

I take off after him. "Don't say anything to anyone. Not even Mrs." I say. He chuckles, "Don't worry dude. My lips are sealed. Do me a favor though, do your research on this guy before you hire him. You might be surprised at the information you find." He says and jogs ahead to the rest of the running backs.

I jog off to the Quarterbacks, "What's up pussies?" I ask as I slap their asses. Show time.

Naomi Black

I wake up to a body collapsing on top of me. "Get off." I moaned as my boobs were being squished, my piercings digging into my boobs. I felt kisses all over my face and hands tickling the sides of my body.

I squealed as the covers were ripped off of my body. I opened my eyes as the body removed itself. "Morning," Matti said as I groaned. "What time is it?" I ask before rolling over on my stomach. He laughed, "10:15."

"Okay. Leave me alone." I state as he chuckles. "I've been up since 5:30. Wake up." He speaks softly as I shake my head face down on the pillow.

It was quiet for a second before his cold hand was placed under my shirt on my warm back. I squirmed, "What the fuck! Were you in the Arctic?" I yelled as he laughed. "Wake up." He kissed the side of my face. He walked out of the room as I laid there.

I was not a morning person. I wanted to sleep.

I groaned and sat up. I looked around as the sunlight peeked through the curtains. I was laying in the middle of Matti's bed. My hair was a mess, I felt it. I scratched the back of my neck and crawled over to my bag. I grabbed my shorts and pulled them on. My feet were cold on the dark hardwood.

I walked into Matti's bathroom. I went pee, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. I exited the bathroom and walked down the hallway. My quiet footsteps were barely heard by the noise of the rowdy boys. I walked into the kitchen to see Nat, Griff, and Matti. Nat and Griff were eating a healthy breakfast—it looked so bland and untasteful.

"Morning sunshine," Nat says as I stretch in the doorway. Griff laughs, "Your hair—" Matti cuts him off. "Is amazing." I let out a laugh as I looked at Nat's plate. Spinach, tomatoes, and eggs.

"Can't you guys ever eat real food?" I tease as Nat shrugs. "I'm sorry you're a child that likes to eat Cocoa Puffs." Griff teases. I shrug as I turn to see what Matti was doing but he was holding out a bowl of Coco Puffs to me.

Awe.

I grab the bowl out of his hands and go to sit on the bar stool next to Griff. "How was practice?" I ask before I take a bite. They chuckle, "Ask Reese, when we left he was still dry-heaving." Griff says as I giggle.

"Finn and Sloane are still knocked out in Caden's room. Sleeping like rocks." Nat says to me as Matti chuckles. "I would hope so—those therapeutic beds do wonders." He speaks as my mind mentally explodes. "That's why I never want to leave your bed!" I exclaim as he closes the fridge he was looking in. He speaks over his shoulder, "I'm sure that's why you never want to leave my bed babe." Nat snorts.

"What's so funny?" Blake asks as he walks in the room. His eyes meet mine, "Oh." I roll my eyes and take another bite. "Can't you two get along for one second?" Matti asks as I shrug. "I don't have a problem with him." I say as Blake glares at me.

"Hug it out then," Griff buts in as my neck snaps to look at him. "Great idea," Matti claps his hands as he gestures for us to hug one another. I groaned and looked at Blake who wasn't looking that impressed either. I stand up from the stool and walk over to Blake. His tall figure was looming over me. I looked up at him and smiled as he looked down at me. He looked back up at Matti.

He looked back down at me and sighed. He reached for me and brought me into a big bear hug—lifting me off of the ground. Matti and Griffin started cheering and Nat groaned. Blake set me down on the ground and stared into my eyes before smirking.

I walked back over to my cereal and watched as Matti and him looked at each other. Blake