Hey did I leave my bag?
Me
Yes. I have it
Gavin
My hero! Can I swing by and grab it?
Me
I'll bring it to the quad. You need it for practice?
Gavin
Nah just homework stuff
But thanks Doc you're the best
I shove the papers back, but the damage is done. I can't unsee it. Can't go back to thinking he's just some pretty face who happens to be good at sports.
He's smart. Really smart. And kind. And those fucking thighs...
No. Absolutely not. You don't have time for this.
But I'm already walking to the quad, his backpack over my shoulder, trying to ignore how it smells like his cologne.
He's waiting by the fountain, changed into jeans and a hoodie. The sunset does ridiculous things to his hair, all golden and?—
Stop it.
"My savior!" He bounces up, reaching for the bag. Our fingers brush. "Seriously, thanks. All my stats homework's in there."
"Stats?" I hear myself ask.
"Yeah, for my sports psych minor. Fascinating stuff about performance prediction and—" He catches himself, rubbing his neck. "Sorry. I know it's not exactly quantum physics."
"Statistical analysis is crucial for psychological research," I say, then want to kick myself.Idiot, could you sound more pretentious?
But he lights up. "Right? Like, everyone thinks psychology is just feelings and talking, but there's so much math. Correlation coefficients and regression analysis, and—" Another neck rub. "And you totally already know all this."
"I didn't know you knew it."
There’s a flicker across his face. "Yeah, well. Dumb jock, surprising depths, et cetera." It's self-deprecating, but there's an edge underneath.
"I didn't mean?—"
"Nah, it's cool. I get it." He shoulders his backpack. "Anyway, thanks again. See you Thursday?"
He's walking away before I can fix it. Can explain that I'm not surprised he's smart; I'm amazed I'm attracted to a jock… who's also smart. That the combination of intelligence and kindness and physical presence is fucking with my head in ways I'm not prepared for.
"Gavin!"
He turns.
"You're not dumb," I blurt out. "I never thought you were dumb."
His smile is slower this time. Softer. "Thanks, Doc."
