“I wasn’t thinking straight,” I protested weakly.
“Save it for Dante,” Noah said, his voice low. “You need to call him, or something.”
“Practice is still running.”
All three of us jumped at the sound of Coach Sutherland’s voice. Both guys were so big compared to me; I never saw him coming. Noah and Dustin stepped aside, and I saw the coach’s eyes narrow as he looked at me.
“Miss Cole?” He looked between the two players. “Are you lost?”
“I was looking for Dante,” I told him smoothly. “We meet for tutoring.”
He frowned. “Right. Ten’s off the field. One of these two will let him know you’re looking for him.” He looked at both his players. “Back to your spots, practice is still running.”
I lifted my hand in a wave as they both ran back to the field, and then realized I was still standing there with the coach.
“Do you usually chase your students around campus?”
“Um...” The question caught me off guard. “I was passing and heard the sounds of practice.” Not a lie... completely. “I thought I’d catch Dante—”
“Dante Spence is the quarterback for the Alabama Lions, practice and playing come first. Not distractions.” He scanned me once. “Do we understand each other, Miss Cole?”
My temper ignited. “I understand that your quarterback is in danger of failing a class and if he doesn’t maintainstandardshe becomes ineligible to play.” I held the dark stare steady withmy own. “I am sure if you want your quarterback on your field, Coach Sutherland, you will agree I’mexactlythedistractionhe needs to achieve that.”
I’ve heard the term ‘smiled like a shark,’ but I’d never seen it in person before. It was truly unsettling.
“You have a good day, Miss Cole.” Coach Sutherland turned and walked away.
I blew out a slow breath, trying to persuade my pulse to calm down. When I looked over at the field, hoping no one saw me face off against their coach, Dante was standing with his arms crossed and staring straight at me.
He held my stare for a long moment, and then he turned away. The dismissal was clear, and with a heavy heart, I left the training field.
* * *
“You’ve been quiet,” Bev said as she looked up from the cup of tea she was making.
“Have I?” I was curled up on our couch, watching reruns ofFriends.
“It’s Saturday, Savannah,” she reminded me. She shot me a glance. “I heard the football guys are having a party. Do you tutor any of them?”
I looked over at her. “Subtlety isn’t your strong suit, Bev.”
She came rushing around the counter and perched herself at the edge of the couch. “Savannah, please? I’ve never been to a football party, they’ll let you in.”
I wasn’t sure they would. “Maybe if I saw Noah first—”
Her squeal was deafening. “I won’t take long to get ready.”
She was already in her room. “Guess I’m going to a party,” I muttered as I pushed myself off the couch.
I didn’t know what to wear, so I chose black skinny jeans, a fitted white T-shirt, and my black leather jacket. I decided to put on some light makeup.
My door opened just as I was putting the tube of mascara down. I know my mouth dropped open.
“Holy shit, Bev...” I took in the short skirt — so short — the cropped black top that made her boobs look massive, and the knee-high boots. “You look...”
“Fuckable?”
Who the hell is this woman?I’d never met her. “Um... sure.” I looked her up and down again. “I’ve never seen you like, um,this.”
