She smiles. “You know I only went to like one game at the beginning of the year.”
“Yes, but what a game it was! That was the first football game of the season. But you’re too busy studying all the time to get to any games.”
“Well, I have this thing called college classes I have to attend and study for.”
I shake my head. “All right. I get it. Well, I’d love to have you come to a game soon.” I yawn. “I need to get ready for bed.”
She yawns next. “Oh great. You got me doing it now.”
“That’s because it’s almost eleven,” I remind her. I head into the bathroom to change and get ready for bed. A few minutes later, I pull out my History of Civ. Book. I make it about thirty minutes before exhaustion hits me. “I’m calling it for tonight,” I tell her with a yawn. “Night.”
“Night, Tessa.”
The next morning, I manage to get a few hours of study time in before Slater texts me that he’s on his way. I close my eyes and stretch my neck. I’m in the bathroom brushing my hair when Evie texts.
Evie-wear a sports bra
I stare at my phone a moment before texting back.
Me-uh why do I need to wear a sports bra?
It takes her a minute to respond.
Evie-just trust me
“Well, that is not the least bit helpful.” I text her again.
Me-again, why do I need to wear a sports bra? I try never to wear one of those horrible contraptions.
Me-ever
Me-I have no plans on running for my life today, and that’s the only reason I would need a sports bra
Me-???
“Come on, Evie.” I put down my phone to finish doing my hair. When I hear it ding, I look down.
Slater-I'm here
“Aw, fudgesicles.” I race over to my drawer and dig through it until I find my barely worn sports bra. I tug it on and then find one of my Barracudas t-shirts and sweatshirts to throw on instead of the cute shirt I was going to wear. I run out the door, only to have to run back inside and to the bathroom to grab my phone. A quick glance shows my bestie has not texted back yet. By the time I get outside, I’ve managed to compose myself...sort of. That is until I nearly run over the tall soccer player standing only a few feet from the door. I jerk to a stop. “Slater. Hi.”
He glances behind me. “Where’s the fire?”
I glance behind me as well, though I’m not really sure why. “Oh, well. Yeah, no fire. Ready?”
He blinks down at me. “You okay?”
“Of course.” I smile brightly; I think a little too brightly because he narrows his eyes at me. “Is your truck this way?” I start towards the parking lot. He catches up to me in seconds. As soon as we get to his truck, he opens the door for me, and I hoist myself in. He closes my door and makes his way over to his side. I use those few precious seconds to find my calm again. When he climbs in, I take a deep breath and regret it instantly. The scent of his cologne and that scent that is all him hits me hard. I don’t know exactly what it smells like, but it reminds me of home...which is odd. Maybe my brother wears cologne like that? I snort to myself because my brother could never smell as sexy as Slater Thorne does.
“You okay?” Slater asks in a deep voice.
I glance over at him. “Perfect.” He starts the drive off campus. “So, you ready for your playoff game Friday night?” He nods. “Are you nervous?”
“Nah.”
I glance over at him and grin. “Who am I kidding? The great Slater Thorne doesn’t get nervous before soccer games.”
The corner of his lips tugs up. “I used to.”
