She takes the menus and walks away to get started on our order.
“Thanks,” I say, reluctant to give him any more ammunition.I don’t need him adding a ten-dollar wrap and six-dollar coffee to the list of things he’s already holding over my head. But all I’ve had to eat today was the few bites of the frybread Mountain shared with me. So if I don’t eat something, I’m going to be passed out on the floor soon.
“No problem.” Alex sits up and reaches for a straw. Using his teeth, he rips the end of the wrap to remove his straw in a taunting manner. “It’s the least I can do.”
“You’re disgusting,” I bite out, picking up the glass of water on the table.
Alex laughs and it only pisses me off. He sticks the straw in the glass, balls up the paper, and tosses it on the table.
“You weren’t complaining last night.” He leans in further. “In fact, you seemed—”
My spine stiffens. I want to throw something, maybe even punch him in the face.
“Enough,” I blurt, shifting my gaze around. “Keep your voice down.”
He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay. I’ll chill.”
“And just so you know. Last night will never happen again.”
I wait for one of his smart-alecky retorts, but he only smiles.
“Now, even though you didn’t hold up your end of the bargain. Let’s get started. I’d like to not waste any more of my time on you than I have to.”
“Ouch.” He flicks his wrist, feigning hurt. “And what are you talking about? I told them to back off.”
Pulling my textbook from my bag, I let it fall on the table with a soft slap. “And you were a complete asshole about it.‘I know she’s a bitch but lay off’?You call that helping? How do you expect them to listen when you can’t stop being a dick toward me yourself?”
“Okay. Maybe the bitch line was uncalled for.” Alex holds hishands palms up with a tilt of his head. “I apologize. But, I did tell them to stop.”
“And they didn’t listen,” I quip. “I mean I came to you because you’re the captain, but if you can’t even get your team to listen to you, then this was useless.”
Alex frowns, and for a moment he seems really confused. “What do you mean?”
“While you were taking out your frustrations on the pucks, one of your guys cornered me in the locker room.”
“After I told them to back off?”
I nod, short and clipped.
Something flickers across his face. Pure anger. And something closer to… regret. He sits up straighter, dropping his phone on the tabletop. “Who? Did he hurt you?”
“Ryker. No, he just wanted to intimidate me.”
His jaw ticks. “I’ll handle it.”
For some strange reason, I believe him. I don’t know why, but I do, even though everything in me tells me not to.
“Good.” I pause, contemplating my next thought. “Because now, I want something else.”
His brow twitches, that grin forming again. “I’ll be happy to.”
“Eww. Not that, asshole. Information.”
He doesn’t blink, only leans forward, curiosity etched into his features. “You’re going to have to narrow that down.”
I take a breath, bracing myself. “I need to know why I’m here.”
He shifts. “What do you mean? You’re tutoring me.”
