Love, Bets and Football

2.0

Racheal’s Pov

*Warning. Harmful acts mentioned ahead. Read with precaution.*

“Cain West Stuart is a dirty bug. A roach that should be squashed and wiped off the face of this sweet earth. It doesn’t deserve him.”

“Hmm. Yeah, sure. What did he do this time?” Kayla asked in a bored tone as we both made it to an off-campus restaurant for both our lunches.

“Didn’t you hear?” I narrowed my eyes at her. Gossip and rumors never went past her. She wasn’t a social butterfly for no reason.

“No. Enlighten me.” She said, glancing at me and then going back to scrolling through her i********: feed as we both made it to our usual spot, a cozy table in a corner, perfect for our private conversations.

I eyed her in suspicion, but nevertheless, kept talking. “Apparently, he f****d Celine and then threw her out like she was some w***e. The poor girl has been bawling her eyes out. He didn’t even order her an Uber.”

“That is horrible. But first things first, Celine is a harlot. She’s probably gone through the entire football and hockey team. Second, Cain West is not a gentleman, and everyone knows that.”

“That may be true, but that doesn’t give him the right to be an asshole though. If only the gods could entirely rid us of the likes of him.”

“What did that guy ever do to you?” Kayla asked, giving me a sideways glance as she waved a waitress over to take our orders. She took our usual orders, Kayla opting for fries and honey glazed chicken legs. I ordered for a double cheeseburger and a diet coke.

“Exist.” I smirked. Kayla rolled her eyes.

“Ouch. If I didn’t know your story already, I would be asking you to tell me what caused you to have such vehemence towards the poor guy.”

We both placed our plates on our usual table, and then we were digging in. I watched as Kayla took some fries and popped them in her mouth.

“He’s not a poor guy. He’s a demon walking in the flesh of a human. That’s what he is.” I said, taking a huge bite out of my food and a large sip of my drink.

Kayla just shook her head at me. “You know, it’s been proven that sometimes love and s****l attraction can be mistaken for hatred.”

I chocked. Literally. How dare she say that?

“What did you do to the poor girl?” A deep male familiar voice inquired. Instantly, I knew it was Davie. “Are you trying to kill her?”

Coming to my aid, he thumped my back repeatedly with sound whacks, until my air holes were completely free and I could properly breathe again.

Davie was the third party in our trio, and he was the most feminine straight male I had ever met. When Kayla and I had just met him, we thought he was gay and didn't even believe him when he told us he wasn't.

That was until we both walked on him f**king his girlfriend. I would rather not go into details, but that was the most masculine we had ever seen him. He had the most beautiful amber eyes that I had ever seen, a splash of freckles on his face and a very handsome face.

"Oh no. It's just the usual. She's drooling over Cain again." Kayla pointed a fry at me and then proceeding to much on it.

"Aahhh. I see. She's at it again. Isn't she?" Davie arched a brow in understanding. "I must agree with you on this one. I'm starting to believe that she secretly likes him."

I glared at the two of them. "You guys are starting to sicken me."

Davie pulled me into a side hug as I began to push me away but he tightened his grip until I gave up. "It's okay darling. We wouldn't judge if you started to like him like that. If you know what I mean."

Davie wiggled his brows.

"Ugh. I hate you guys."

Kayla and Davie both doubled over in laughter as I continued to glare at them. Fine. Let them laugh all they want and make fun of me, but that didn't change the fact that I hated him. I would never fall in love with the likes of them.

"Don't be mad at us, Racheal. We are just playing with you." Kayla explained although I could tell she was holding back laughter.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes at them. "You guys always do this to me."

"I promise we won't do it again."

"Don't care. Let's all go to class. Lunch hours are done."

****

"Hey sweetie."

"Hi mom. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great. How's school going for you darling? It's been a while since we last spoke. I was getting worried about you."

"I'm doing great, mom. I've just been so busy lately."

And it was true. Between working late night shifts and attempting school during day, I always got back home tired. It had almost a month since I had last spoken to her.

" Are you doing okay, mom? How's therapy going?"

There was complete silence before she replied, "I'm trying but it's so hard. There are times when I miss your father too much but I can't do that to you and your brother. Not again."

"Mom. . ."

She hushed me before I could interrupt her.

"I promised that I wouldn't be selfish again. So, please don't be so hard on yourself. Okay?"

"Sure, mom. I promise. Take care of yourself too."

I sighed as we both ended the call.

My mom was currently a patient at a neighbouring Mental Hospital that was only a three hour ride from here. Between balancing classes and late night shifts, I only had time to see her once every two weeks in a month.

Lately though, I had been trying so hard to make ends meet that I had resorted to phone calls, even when I missed her terribly.

I was only seventeen when my dad and I had been involved in an accident with a drunk driver. While I had hardly gotten any injuries, my dad had passed away on the spot due to an injury to his brain.

Mom, who had been waiting outside had witnessed everything and it was one of the things that had led to her heavy depression.

To make matters, the drunk driver had successfully gotten away, and the police never caught them.

As soon as I was discharged from the hospital, we held his burial. Things only went down a spiral. Mom put on an upfront for us, but deep down she was suffering.

First came the smoking, and then there was the beer and the wine that I somehow always found missing from the pantry. And when that wasn't enough, came the cutting.

Only that I was too late. On a fateful Thursday evening, I walked on her, lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of her own blood with her wrists deeply cut.

The fear and panic I had felt from losing another parent. . .

I shuddered, pulling myself out of those memories.

All of that was behind us now. My mom was healing and so was I. We were both being strong for each other and there was nothing to be worried about anymore.

Classes soon came to an end, and I found myself speeding through the hallways as I aimed to make it to my dorm. I was heavily thankful that I didn't have to work tonight since it was my day. This only meant one thing. Sleeping in. Gosh, I was so looking forward to it.

"Racheal."

As soon as I heard him calliing, I sped up, trying to ignore him and brush it off like I hadn't heard him. That wasn't working though he kept on yelling until he was catching up to me.

"Racheal."

And I thought I was fast. I fought down a groan as I faced him. What did he want now? I hope it had nothing to do with my brother.

"Hey Uncle Carter. Didn't hear you calling."

Uncle Carter arched an eyebrow at that. Yeah, neither of us believed that lie. I didn't sound convincing at all.

"Fine. What is it this time?"

He grinned, happy that I was willing to hear him out. "I need a favor."

"Nope." I turned to leave but he blocked my way.

"I promise it's nothing like last time."

"Really?"

"Yep."

Crossing my arms, I waited patiently. "Well, let's hear it."

"I'm giving you a job on the team. Can you take it?"

I eyed him skeptically, surprised that he was even offering something like this. First of all, he was highly protective of me which meant he wouldn't let any of the boys on the team near me.

Second, I was suspicious I hadn't heard the rest of it all. Uncle's favors always came with a string attached.

"Well, how much will you be paying me then?"

" One thousand and five hundred grand."

My brows were surely touching my hairline right now. That was 10x more than he usually paid me for any of his previous favours, although he said he was giving me a job on the team. Now I was highly suspicious.

"Is there something you are leaving out?" I asked. He's offer was a little generous and too good to be true.

"Well, you won't be working on the team immediately. I need you to look after someone. He's injured."

"And who may that be?"

He looked left and right, anywhere but at me. He was actually avoiding my gaze. I narrowed my gaze at him. "Well...."

"Um...I... you know..." Uncle stammered, scratching the back of his head. "It's Cain."

"Great deal, but I'm out. I'll not be doing such a thing."

I didn't waste time as I headed for my room, but of course, my Uncle wasn't giving up. He kept on following me.

"Come on, Racheal. You're the only one I can trust with this job."

"You know how I feel about him. I don't understand why you even came to me in the first place."

"That's because I know you are the only girl whose pants he won't try to get into. So please just take the job. It will only be temporary and as soon he's back on his feet, you'll be free of him."

Uncle had a valid point. Cain was a manwhore, but even without trying, he had girls throwing themselves at him all the time. However, I wasn't going to change my mind.

"Sorry, Uncle. It's still a no."

"Please, Racheal." I could tell uncle was growing frustrated, but I wasn't planning on caving. " I know you hate him, but you're the only I trust to be strict with him. Look, if it makes you feel better, I'll pay and extra five hundred in cash. Please?"

Ugh...I hated when he begged. It was my weakeness.

"Fine. But if that motherf**cker does anything funny, I'll punch him in the face."

"Oh, thank you so much." Uncle was practically grinning like he had just won the lottery. I felt my own lips twitching but I contained my smile.

We both parted ways, but as soon as I got to my room, I got a text notification. It was from my uncle.

UGH....... UNCLE

"Pack a bag. You're going to living with him."

Gosh. I was definitely done with doing favors for him.

Only two days later, my uncle and I both stood outside Cain's door, waiting to be let in. As he soon as he set his eyes one me, the smile faded from his face, and he was back to what he did best. Glaring.

I glared right back at him.

"What are you doing here, missy?"

"Obviously, I'm your new 'nurse', dipshit."