* * * *
“I have to say, besides your little game yesterday, I really enjoy hanging out with you.” Zade held up his coffee and clinked my mug. “You make me laugh.”
“Oddly, that was cute. Thanks, Zade. I don’t want to boost your ego, but I generally enjoy your company.” I observed him over the mug and swooned. His hair curled from sweat and he hadn’t shaved for the past week. The combination of the shaggy hair and hazel eyes was enough to make a nun question her decisions. “You are a pleasant surprise.”
“How so?”
“Moving here, hours away from my parents and hometown and only knowing Greta is scary. Knowing I’m putting all my eggs into one basket is even more so. I don’t have a backup plan. Do or die.” I sighed, running my hands through my hair at his rapt attention. “I consider myself bold and hardworking, but I’m still a lonely small fish at a huge place. I’m a year behind all of you. I hate it. But meeting you, and your roommates too, made it a little less scary.”
“Glad to be of service. You know I’m not complaining you’re here, but what made you come here now as opposed to last year?” he asked and the familiar sinking of my stomach returned.
“Personnel training, actually. I want to work with athletes and rehabilitation.” I realized again that our lives were intertwined. He smiled and I didn’t have to ask to know what he thought. I forced myself to ignore our compatibility—again. “I told you my dad is a coach. He wanted me to get a steady, consistent profession. When I told him I wanted to come here, as opposed to the community college he coached at, he said no. Him and my mom…they didn’t want me to fail. I didn’t have a good track record. It’s hard to blame them.”
“What… Why do they think that?” His brows drew together.
“I wasn’t the best in school. I got average grades. I hated the bullshit classes.” I played with the napkin instead of his meeting his eyes. It made admitting my shortcomings a little easier. “I had to work twice as hard to be average and we don’t come from money…and I had to get a job and save up for a year to come here. If I do well this year, I can come back.”
There.I’d said it. I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my palms. I hated admitting my weakness. Ihatedit. I wasn’t the smartest. I knew that, but I worked hard. I dared to open my eyes, as Zade had yet to respond. I saw him staring right through me, as though he saw into my damn soul. I shivered. “Zade?”
“I had no idea. I just… I can help you study. If you want.”
My heart skipped a beat at his offer but I shrugged it off. “Enough about me. What about you? We never got around to discussing your major.”
“Sports management.” Smiling, he leaned back in his chair. He softened his tone, his voice sounding like honey and lust. “I have more questions for you and answer them honestly.”
“Hmm. I’m nervous, but I’m in. I’ve asked you enough questions during our runs.”
“That you have.” He grinned, the lines reaching his eyes. “Okay, favorite sport besides baseball.”
“Hockey,” I answered without thinking about it.
“Team?”
“Black Hawks.” I showed him the logo on the back of my phone and he chuckled. “I’m a bit of a tomboy, if you haven’t noticed. I’m an only child and took on the role of both kids. I played football and hockey, took dance classes and played the guitar. I have subscriptions to all sporting channels.”
“Fuck.” He ran his hands over his face, sighing into them. “I asked you that day in Target and I’m close to asking you to marry me again.”
“Nah, I’m good. Plus nineteen is a bit too young for that, don’t ya think?”
“Sure, but damn, woman, you’re killing me. Okay, next question. Rock or rap?”
“Rock, no question asked. The more classic the better.”
“Give or receive.”
“Wow…that sounded sexual.” I searched around us, making sure no one heard him ask. He blushed, the lightest tint of red appearing slowly at the top of his cheeks. It damn near made me want to grab his face and kiss it. “Zade,” I scolded him.
“Uh, damn. I meant, like presents.” He shook his head, closing his eyes. “Do you prefer to give someone a gift or receive one?”
“Now I feel like a schmuck.” I used his word and it got a small smile out of him. “I think I enjoy giving presents and seeing the joy on people’s faces, but I wouldn’t say no to a present. I don’t think anyone would, really. Well done with a tricky question.”
“You answered it well enough. Next one, this one is a make or break one.” He leaned closer and I met his eyes. “Dogs or cats?”
“Dogs. Forever.”
“Good. Favorite movie?”
“Remember the Titans.”
