It would be rude to show up with nothing for him, so I ordered one for both of us.
After I’m done paying and have the drinks in hand, I head toward the library.
I hope he’s not upset with me about yesterday. Maybe I overstepped, but I felt like it’s the least I could do to pay him back for everything he’s doing for me.
His car didn’t need too much work, simple upkeep repairs. But nothing needed to be ordered or replaced, so I didn’t mind losing a few hours’ worth of work. When I told my father why I didn’t charge Blake, he understood and was actually supportive. He’s grateful that Blake is helping me out, and said what I did was a good way to pay him back.
I just hope Blake agrees. The last thing I need is for him to think that I think he’s some kind of charity case. I don’t. I know he could have paid for it himself, but I just didn’t want him to.
And honestly, I kind of like being able to do this for him.
He’s been so down on his luck lately with everything going on with Mickey. I wanted to do something nice.
Speaking of Mickey, that asshat didn’t look my way once at practice. I did notice the nice black eye this morning, though. When people ask, he said he was so drunk at the party that he fell down and hit his face. I guess that's less embarrassing than getting punched in the face by a teammate for picking onsomeone smaller and making homophobic slurs. That wouldn’t look too good on him. Not that he has much of a reputation to keep.
Knowing he bullied Blake in the past makes me want to walk right up to him and punch him in his stupid, smug face again.
Blake might not be a ray of sunshine, but he’s a good man. There’s no reason Mickey should have been messing with him. He’s one of those assholes who gets a thrill from bringing everyone around them down, making them feel smaller so he can feel bigger.
I know I told Blake that hurt people hurt people, but I don’t give a single fuck what Mickey’s reasons are. It shouldn’t have happened in high school, and it sure as hell shouldn’t be continuing in college. We’re supposed to be adults. He’s not going to get far in this world with his ‘I’m top dog’ shit.
Someone is going to bring him down a peg or two someday, and god, I wish I could be there to watch it.
When I get to the library, I find Blake in the same spot as last time, and I can’t help but smile.
He’s sitting on one of the black couches, legs crossed, a textbook lying in his lap. One elbow is on his knee, his head resting in his hand, and the other is holding a pencil as he nibbles on it.
His brows are creased, face contorted in a mask of concentration. He looks so hot right now.
“Hey.” I step forward, getting his attention.
His head snaps up, and fuck me, his blue eyes. I could get lost in them for days. “Oh, hey.” He takes his glasses off and rubs at his eyes before putting them back on. “Sorry, got kind of lost in reading.”
He closes his textbook and places it in his bag.
“For you.” I hold out the coffee, taking the spot next to him.
He eyes up the coffee cup like it’s going to bite him.
“What is it?” he asks cautiously.
“It’s coffee.” He snorts. “Or, should I say, a latte.” I grin.
He rolls his eyes, but I see a small smile on his lips. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I know, but I wanted to.”
“Why?” He narrows his eyes.
“Blake, just take the coffee. I’m not offering you a million dollars with no explanation. It’s just a drink. I was getting one for myself and thought I’d grab you one too.”
“Thanks...” he says slowly, but takes the drink from me. “Really, you didn’t have to.”
“I know.” I smile. “So, what are we doing today?”
Blake takes my textbook from me and finds where we need to be.
We sit there for the next hour, and I try my best to concentrate, I really do. But it’s like he’s some kind of magnet. My eyes keep drifting toward his face, watching the way his lips move as he speaks, his low voice a lot more soothing than it has any right to be.
