The nice thing about losing your future is that it makes starting over much easier. Marcus Williams is prepared to make it through the last two years of his degree with no expectations, no aspirations, and no connections.<br><br>But strategies can change, especially when you've got someone like Sebastian Lockwood staring you down on the line of scrimmage.

Audible

“No,” Marcus whispers. He looks down to avoid Sebastian’s piercing stare. “No, I…I can’t…” He tries to back away, but he stumbles.


Sebastian hurries to steady Marcus before he falls backwards. “Fuck,” he says. “You need to sit down. Let me get you water, or meds? You take those, right? Shit, where are they? Or maybe a cold compress? Or a heating pad? Are you too hot or too cold, I can’t fucking tell—”


“Stop!” Marcus gasps. He wrestles himself away from Sebastian and clenches his hands into tight fists. “I don’t need…I don’t…”


“You need something,” Sebastian insists. “I can help you, tell me what I can do—”


“Stop!” Marcus shakes his head violently as he staggers towards his bedroom. “You can’t do anything. No one can do anything. Just…just leave!”


Sebastian’s hands fall helplessly to his sides. Marcus manages to make his way to the bedroom. He slams the door behind him and slides to the floor. He draws his legs up to his chest and rests his head on his knees.


Chapter 35