Free Kicked by Celia Aaron Page B

Virginia. He used to be a miner, but the company closed his mine, and he’s been out of work ever since.”
    “What about your mom?”
    “She left when I was a child.” She shrugged, still keeping her gaze away from mine. “Long gone.”
    “So you’re on your own?” My mom couldn’t go a week without sending a passive-aggressive text, so I couldn’t imagine a life without her.
    “Something like that.”
    “Does it bother you?”
    Cordy dropped her gaze to the candle flickering at the center of the table. “I have a scholarship that pays my tuition. Dad calls every so often. I’m able to study and get some soccer time in, so I’m happy as I can be, I guess.”
    It wasn’t good enough. She deserved to be truly happy. I’d never met a woman like her. From the first moment I saw her in class, her head bowed shyly and her hands at war with each other, I’d wanted her. I’d had girlfriends in high school, dated a girl freshman year, had flings at parties. But none of them enthralled me like Cordy. Her quiet nature, the determination that burned in her heart, and her compassion drew me to her.
    People like Cordy didn’t exist in my world. The girls I grew up with either had enough money to be unrelenting bitches or they had an old money name with no actual money behind it, which turned them into schemers. Cordy was a breath of fresh air—one I didn’t even realize I was desperate for until I found her.
    “What about you?” She carefully buttered her bread with her knife.
    “What about me?”
    “Are you happy?”
    “I am when I’m with y—” I coughed into my hand to stop myself. Oh my God, Trent, too fast.
    She gave me a dazzling smile and her cheeks grew pink. Seeing that reaction made my chest warm and my heart race.
    Reaching across the table, she took my hand. “I’m happy when I’m with you, too.”
     

 
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    T RENT
     
     
     
    L ANDON’S SUCKER PUNCH STUNG just enough to enrage me. I rose and grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt, not sure if I wanted to show him what a real hit felt like or slam him on the ground.
    “Don’t fucking touch her!” He swung wildly, but I had fifty pounds of muscle on him, easy.
    I shoved him back, and he fell over a table and skidded into another one. The nearest students yelled and backed away, their pizzas toppling to the floor. I stalked toward him as he struggled to his feet.
    “Trent, stop!” Cordy pushed through the tables and stood between Landon and me.
    “Get out of the way. I’ve got this.” Landon brought his fists up and swiped his thumb across his nose.
    She turned to him. “Have you lost your mind? He’s the starting quarterback, all muscle, works out every day.”
    My chest puffed up a little more with each of her words, pride overcoming my anger.
    “Move.” Landon eyed me with no hint of fear.
    I would have respected him if I didn’t want to beat the shit out of him for trying to separate Cordy and me.
    “I can take him.” He advanced until Cordy was the only thing between us.
    “You can try.” I stepped closer, but Cordy put her hand to my chest.
    “Stop it, both of you! You’re being idi—”
    “Hey!” Mr. Sanpeggio rushed from the kitchen and into the main dining area. “What’s going on? Call the cops.” He motioned to a server.
    “We’re leaving.” Cordy’s voice was strong and even.
    “Outside! Go!” Mr. Sanpeggio waved his flour-covered hands at us.
    “Come on.” Cordy grabbed Landon’s forearm and yanked him toward the door. I followed behind, ready to drop him if he tried anything else. Turning back, I called, “I’ll stop by tomorrow and pay for any damage.”
    “Out!” Mr. Sanpeggio bent over and started righting the tables as the students finally relaxed. A couple had whipped out their cell phones after I’d sent Landon flying. Thankfully, they didn’t capture anything other than the standoff. It might make campus news, but not much more than that.
    The rain fell in