Slow Play (The Rules #3)(7)

“Why are you asking about him?” I glance over at Kelli and she sends me a look. “Are you interested?”

“No,” I say firmly. Honestly. That little pep talk in my head did the trick. “He’s cute. But he’s not my type.”

“That’s never stopped anyone before,” she says dryly.

I glance up to meet her gaze. “I’ve had my fill of cocky rich boys,” I tell her. “He’s the type who’s all talk and no action.”

Kelli laughs, so loud she immediately clamps her hand over her mouth. “He’s a lot of talk and action,” she says once she drops her hand. “At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

Yikes. I don’t need to hear this. Doesn’t help that I haven’t had sex in what feels like forever. When your personal life falls apart all around you, you tend to forget about satisfying your needs. Not that any guy I knew prior to the collapse of my family’s life would’ve touched me after everything that happened. I quickly became a pariah by association.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

“Not seeing anyone at the moment?” Kelli asks after we’re quiet for a few minutes.

I press my pencil so hard against my paper the lead point breaks off. “I’m trying to concentrate on school.”

“We all say that when we’re not getting any action.” I glare at her and she sticks her tongue out at me, making me laugh. “You should come out with me tomorrow. It’s Thirsty Tuesday.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be Thirsty Thursday?” I ask.

“Tomorrow is Tuesday,” she says slowly, like I don’t get it. “And my favorite bar does Thirsty Tuesday and Thursday. A double whammy.” Her face brightens. “It’s Ladies’ Night tonight. We should go.”

“It’s already so late…” My voice drifts. I was really looking forward to snuggling up in my bed and watching old Friends episodes on Netflix tonight. Or maybe Sex and the City.

“What, have you turned into an old lady? Come on.” She nudges me with her elbow.

“Yeah, come on. Ladies’ Night is the best.”

The deep male voice makes us both jerk our heads up at the same time. My heart falls to my stomach then immediately starts to pound when I see who it is.

Tristan Prescott.

“Are you sick? What are you doing in here?” Kelli asks incredulously.

“I have a paper due. And I’m supposed to include a real, actual book in the bibliography.” He holds up a book. “The professor is trying to teach us about the value of living without the Internet.”

Kelli snorts. “As if. Funny you should appear. Alex and I were just talking about you.”

I kick her under the table. Hard. She mutters a curse and sends me a glare as I smile serenely at Tristan, who is blatantly checking me out.

I feel warm under his gaze and blatantly check him out in return. He has on jeans and a navy blue hoodie. His hair is windblown and his jaw is covered in scruff. He screams sexy. My oversized black sweater and ratty jeans don’t scream sexy. More like they scream I don’t care. Well, the sloppy bun on my head and lack of makeup also scream I don’t care.

Great.

“Talking about me, huh?” He smiles, his gaze directed on me. “That’s promising.”

“She wanted to know if we’d ever…”

I kick Kelli again and this time she curses. Loudly. “Shit, Alex, that hurts.”

“Shut up,” I mutter.

Tristan starts to laugh. “That was a mistake,” he tells me, his gaze never straying. “The kiss. No offense, Kel.”

“None taken,” she answers quickly.

“You should go out tonight,” he says as he stuffs his hands into his pockets. “My treat.”

“The drinks are half off,” Kelli says. “That’s why he’s offering.”

“I shouldn’t.” I wave a shaky hand toward the statistics book. “I’m nowhere close to being finished.”

“I’ll help you.” He pulls out the chair closest to me and settles in, then tugs the book toward him. “I took this class.”

“You fail it?” Kelli asks.

“I got an A,” he says easily, snatching the paper out of my hands and glancing it over before lifting his gaze to mine. “I can help you. Both,” he adds.

“That would be great,” Kelli gushes as she scoots her chair closer. “Alex and I are totally lost.”

“You don’t mind?” he asks me, his voice quiet.

I stare into his blue eyes, the earnest expression on his face. Is he trying to make up for his earlier slip at the party? Helping me with this shitty class would be awesome, but will I be able to concentrate with him sitting this close? What if he wants to keep helping us? I mean, why would he want to torture himself with statistics. Maybe he’s some weirdo who actually likes math.

“I don’t mind,” I finally say, my voice soft. “We really need the help.” Heavy emphasis on the word we.

“I’d be glad to help,” Tristan says. “But you have to come with us to Ladies’ Night afterward.”

“He likes to pick up on all the ladies,” Kelli adds.

“Shut up, Kel,” Tristan mutters. “What do you say, Alexandria?”