Tutoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #1)(58)

“I’m not sure it’s that serious. We haven’t really talked about it.” A rough chuckle scrapes up my throat. “I mean, she’s barely dated anyone, and I’ve…”

“Dated everyone,” he finishes for me, smiling.

“Something like that.”

“She’s different. I can tell.”

“She is, but I’m still me.”

He shakes his head. “Uh-uh. I don’t buy it. If you messed around with her thinking I liked her, that only means one thing.”

“That I’m a shit friend?”

“Nope.”

“What’s it mean?”

He grins. “You really like her.”





24





DAISY





Sitting at the game by myself isn’t as lonely as I imagined. I’m in my Valley Hockey T-shirt in the student section. With so many people still on break, the arena is emptier than last time. I spot Gavin and some of the basketball guys in the front row. Good thing Violet isn’t here.

I text her to see how she’s doing, and she responds right away, Fine. Bored. How’s Valley and Jordan?

I snap a picture of him on the ice and send it along with another text asking when she’s coming back.

She doesn’t reply before the game starts, and I tuck my phone away and get lost in the action. I really do enjoy watching. Especially Jordan. He’s so fast and ruthless with every shift.

I talked to him earlier today to see how things went with Liam. He was vague, saying Liam had some stuff going on but that he was okay. I watch him now to see if I can tell any difference in him, but Liam rarely looks anything less than cool and collected. Even now, sweaty and tired, he’s put together in a way that I don’t find as intriguing as I once did.

I like that Jordan’s emotions play out on his face and in his body language, even in his words. He’s usually happy and playful, but when he’s mad or sad, you know it. He isn’t afraid of being exactly who he is at any given moment.

Valley wins, but there isn’t the same excitement as the last game I attended. I told Jordan I was coming, but we didn’t make plans after the game. They have another game tomorrow, so I doubt they’ll be partying tonight, but I’m still hopeful I might get to see him.

I move slowly from my seat and toward the doors. I linger outside, cradling my phone. I could text him, but I came to the game. Just like I came back to hang out with him, and I showed up at his dorm last night. It’s his move.

The crowd thins, and my fingers grow cold. I’m seconds from giving up when my phone vibrates with a text from him, Busy tonight?

Depends, I reply as my smile grows wide.

His response is one only I’d understand, Tree house, white panties, twenty minutes.

I rush home with butterflies in my stomach and a throb deep in my core.





It’s more like thirty minutes before I hear Jordan’s footsteps crossing the yard. He climbs up the ladder without calling up first. He has a plastic bag looped over one wrist as he steps up into my space.

“Hey,” I say, unable to keep my breaths from coming out like pants.

“Sorry. It took me longer than I thought. Had to make a stop.”

He drops down beside me. The smell of his soap clings to him.

“Congrats on the game.”

“Thanks.” He smiles and places the bag on his lap.

“To keep warm.” He holds up the bottle of Fireball before setting it down between us.

“In case we get hungry.” He tosses out three bags of chips, then grabs one of them back and opens it. He tosses several in his mouth and chews with a satisfied groan.

“We or you?”

“I got something for you too,” he says, and his lips hitch into a satisfied smile as he holds up a candy necklace.

“You remembered.”

“Of course.” He pulls out Fun Dip, too, and finally a bottle of water.

I go for the Fireball first, wanting the warmth and maybe some of its courage. “We’re supposed to just drink this straight?”

“I was in a rush to get here, babe. Mixed drinks were too many added steps.”

The endearment doesn’t go unnoticed, even if he said it without thinking. I laugh as I lift the bottle to my lips and let the dark liquor trickle into my mouth. It slides down in a trail of warmth. I pass the bottle to Jordan, and he takes a much longer drink before sitting back and finishing off his chips.

“Liam seemed okay during the game. Does that mean everything worked itself out?”

“Sort of.” He tips his head side to side. “I think he’s going to be okay. Thanks again for going to look for him with me.”

“Of course. Being there for friends is important. If it were one of my friends, I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on anything else until I knew they were okay.”

“I was worried, but I think I could have concentrated on something else.” His heated gaze holds mine. My heart gallops in my chest, and I reach for the Fireball again.

With a light chuckle, Jordan sits back, and we pass the bottle back and forth a couple of times. I pick up the candy necklace and remove it from the clear plastic packaging. I lift it to my mouth and bite one of the hard candies. Jordan watches with amusement.