I’m in the middle of watching a video of a cat riding a skateboard when my phone dings, letting me know I’ve received a text.
The moment I see Nina’s name, a rush of nerves flutters through me. I bolt up to a seated position and click on her name.
Nina: Good news! He said he would do it! Meet him tomorrow evening at six at the library. He said if you’re late, he’s leaving, so make sure to be there on time. Sorry about him in advance, he can be a little bit prickly. He just takes his job very seriously and wants the people he works with to do the same.
A smile, so wide it hurts, spreads across my face. “Fuck yes.”
Me: Thank you so much! If I wasn’t gay, I’d totally marry you right now.
Nina: Don’t tempt me, big guy. Why are all the good guys gay?
Nina: You know what, don’t answer that. Just good luck and have fun!
She texts me her brother's number in case I need to get in touch with him for any reason. I quickly add it to my phone, listing him as Blake.
I’ve never met Blake before, so I have no idea what he looks like. Whatever, that's tomorrow's problem.
Right now, I’m going to sleep and get a good night’s rest so my mind is clear for tomorrow.
I’m glad I didn’t immediately go into panic mode.
Let’s just hope Blake doesn’t see me as a hopeless loser and is willing to take time to work with me. I sure as hell plan on giving it my all. I can’t let this chance go to waste.
Chapter 2
Blake
I toy with the rim of my coffee cup, eyes locked on my textbook, despite the fact that the words in the book aren't what I’m focusing on. I should be doing my computer science work, but all I can think about is the encounter I had with that guy earlier today.
Why did he buy my drink? He didn’t know me. He could have just ignored it and let me go back to my car to grab my wallet. He didn’t have to pay for me.
Relax, Blake, it’s just a coffee. You’re overthinking it.
Yeah. Overthinking is what I seem to do best.
It’s not my fault that I feel like every good thing that happens in my life comes with ulterior motives. You tend not to trust the things around you when you’ve spent your whole life being bullied and getting your ass kicked.
College hasn’t been much better. At least the campus is big enough for me to avoid the asshole bullies who followed me here.
It doesn't help that my sister is best friends with half of them. Not that she knows what her football buddies have done to me.
She’s my little sister, I should be the one protecting her, not the other way around.
When I realize I’m not going to get anything done right now, I sigh heavily and slam my textbook shut, tossing it to the side.
I stare down at the now cold liquid. I’m not sure why I still have the thing, it’s been two hours since the coffee shop.
I should throw it out, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to toss it. Seems rude to waste something someone else paid for.
Glaring down at the contents in the cup, I grumble before closing my eyes and downing the rest in three gulps.
I gag a little, shuddering. “Nasty.” I get up and toss it into the trash nearby before packing up my things to leave.
Stupid dude with this stupid overly sunshiny smile. It’s not normal to be that happy, or that nice. Sorry, but I’m suspicious of it.
I just wanted to wallow in my pity after Luke Wilkins cornered me in the dining hall and demanded I tutor him. He thought he could threaten to kick my ass if I said no.
This isn’t high school anymore, and I vowed after I graduated that I wouldn’t allow people like him to push me around. They can threaten me, hit me, I don’t care. I’m done.
