Yet another reason to hate the man.
“So, how did the quiz go on Friday?” I ask Carter.
He sighs. “Not well. I got a B.”
“That’s pretty good, Carter. I bet it was the highest grade in the class.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?”
“I was getting A’s on my quizzes up until a couple weeks ago. It seems like since I started tutoring, my grades are actually going down.”
I scoff. “Are you blaming me for your B? Even though it’s an impressive grade in that class?”
“Yes. I am. You don’t take this seriously. You treat me like I’m the bane of your existence. You’re supposed to be helping me, not hurting me.”
I take a deep breath before I respond. Carter has a point. I haven’t been treating Carter the way I would my other students. It’s not fair of me to let my bias against football players, and Carter in particular, affect how I tutor him.
“You’re right. I want to help you, and I need to do better.”
“What is your problem with me anyway?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay. Whatever, I’m not pushing it because I genuinely need help with this work. It keeps getting more difficult, and with football practice and shit…”
I nod. “I get it. I’m here to help you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I deserve that. But I promise. I’m going to take this seriously. I’ll treat you like all my other tutoring students. But Carter, you need to take it seriously, too. You haven’t exactly been the easiest student.”
Carter laughs. “You make a good point. Let’s make a pact. We’ll both work hard at this tutoring thing and hopefully I won’t keep getting B’s on my quizzes. Midterms are in two weeks and I’d really like to get an A.”
“You’re really smart Carter,” I say, even though it pains me. It’s true. He wouldn’t have made it to this level of math if he wasn’t. I meant it when I told him I was impressed with his being in the class. “I think you can get an A if you work hard. If we work hard.”
Perhaps I’ve misjudged Carter. What he said to me freshman year sucked, but does it mean I have to hate him for the rest of time?
I take a second to admire Carter’s physique. He’s an attractive man.
I force the thought from my mind. Carter has never apologized for what he said to me. Well, I guess it was something he said about me. Actually, technically, it was something he said that could have possibly been about me.
Regardless of the context, it was awful. I can’t just forget him without an apology. He probably still feels the way he did back then. I refuse to be with someone who made me feel the way he did.
Even if I am weirdly attracted to him.
Ben is right outside. He’s the one I need to focus on. Ben would never make a crass comment about women while sitting next to someone doing that very thing.
“What did you get on your midterm for this class?”
I blush. “An A.”
“Of course, you did.”
“It’s not my fault I’m good at math.”
“I am, too, but it doesn’t come easy to me.”
I take a step back. Why were Carter and I standing so close together?
“It doesn’t come easy to me. I work hard to get the best grades.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Yes, you did. You wouldn’t have said it if you didn’t mean it.”
“I’m just frustrated by that B.”
“Sure. Let’s just go.”
I grab the bag I prepared and stomp out of my office. So much for a truce. My previous assumptions about Carter were obviously correct. He thinks nothing of me. I’m a tutor, and that’s it. I’m not even a person with feelings.
I can’t let it bother me. I’ve heard these kinds of things my whole life. I get good grades, so it must come easy to me. That’s not true at all. I spent a good amount of last semester in tears as I struggled through my most difficult math classes. The only reason I did so well is because I was willing to put in the effort.
Carter and I head out to the green in front of the academic resources building. On a warmer day, it would be covered in students lounging on blankets. Since its mid-October in Connecticut, only a few stragglers are around. I’m glad I remembered to grab my jacket. It may be hot in the tutoring center, but it’s cool out here.
My favorite donut truck is parked right next to the green. I usually eat an apple cider donut every day. Carter’s comments earlier ruin my appetite. I might have even treated him to one if he hadn’t been such a jerk.
Once we find a safe place, Carter and I run the experiments. All we have to do is put weights on springs and measure how far they stretch. Carter will figure out the energies involved and stuff on his own. I keep things cordial like I promised I would, but I don’t go out of my way to be extra nice to Carter.
“This is really helping me, thanks, Trina. I knew you would be a good tutor if you tried.”
“Right. Well, I’m glad it’s helping. We have a couple more to do.”
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I force them away. It doesn’t matter how often I hear things like this, they always hurt me. Carter’s implication that I wasn’t a good tutor before this, even though we made some real progress last week.
The problem is, my dad made a similar comment on Sunday. We were having a lovely family dinner when he brought up how I don’t usually make an effort to connect with my brothers. He said we could be really close if I just tried harder.
I thought my brothers and I were close. We send each other funny memes all the time. I come home every weekend. How can my dad say I’m not making an effort?
“Are you okay?” Carter asks.
I blink. “What?”
“You just disappeared for a second.”
“Oh. Sorry. A lot on my mind. I think we’re about done here, though. We’ve finished all the experiments for homework problems.”
Carter checks the time on his phone. “I still have ten minutes left in my appointment. I thought you said you were going to take this more seriously.”
“I am. When I started as a tutor a couple years ago, they made us do this training. It taught us to keep things to one subject during a session so we don’t overwhelm our student. I don’t want to move on to the next chapter since we just nailed this one.”
“Oh. That actually makes sense.”
“We’ll move on next week, unless you feel like you still need to work on this chapter after you finish the homework.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Thank you.”
“Great. I’m going to get back to the tutoring center, then. I’ll see you next week.”
“Yeah. I’ll see you then.”
I turn and leave before Carter can say anything more. He’s already hurt me enough.
It’s silly I’m letting a couple stupid comments ruin my day. Yeah, what my dad said on Sunday hurt my feelings, but I need to move on. He’s wrong. My brothers and I have a great relationship. Carter is wrong, too. I am a good tutor and I try really hard to be. I work hard at everything I do, and that’s why I’m successful.
Nothing comes easily to me.
With a deep breath, I walk into the tutoring center. Ben is sitting at his desk and he grins when he sees me.
“You’re back a little early.”
“Yeah, I guess I should’ve planned a few more experiments, but I think it was good we focused on just one thing today.”
“Like the training says.”
I smile. “Yeah, exactly.”
“Are you okay, Trina? You seem a little off.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little tired I guess.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re not good to anyone if you’re too tired.”
“I know. I’ll be better.”
Ben stands and puts a hand on my arm. “Trina, what’s going on?”
�
��I don’t know. Just feeling like a bad tutor, I guess.”
“You’re the best tutor here. And I’m not just saying that. I’d say it in front of all the other tutors. You have the highest success rate. That’s why I trusted you with Carter.”
“You trusted me with him because I’m the only one who has taken the class.”
“True, but still. Whenever I have a math student, I think of you first, no matter what. You’re amazing because you make an effort with everyone. Even Carter, now that you’ve gotten over your hatred for football players.”
I laugh. “I haven’t. I can help Carter and still hate him.”
“Sure thing, Trina. If you say so.”
I do say so. Because if I don’t hate Carter, then I’m not exactly sure what my feelings are for him.
That scares me more than anything else.
Chapter 8
Carter
If it were up to me, I’d spend Friday night in my apartment alone getting ready for tomorrow’s game.
Because it’s not up to me, I’m at a football party instead.
Tomorrow is homecoming, which means the campus is going insane. A few of my teammates live in a house together and they host parties every Friday night. I don’t get how they can all get trashed on Friday and still play their asses off on Saturday. I’m pretty sure Coach knows about the routine but he doesn’t say anything as long as we keep winning. If it starts affecting our record, that’s when he’ll intervene.
“Carter!” one of the wide receivers, Mason, calls out. He claps me on the back, spilling beer on my shoes. I wore a shitty pair of Converse because I knew this would happen. It always does.
“Hey, man, how’s it going?”
“Great. You ready to win tomorrow?”
The entire living room explodes in cheers. I don’t recognize ninety percent of the people here. The entire bottom floor of the football house is filled to the brim with random students.
I should have stayed home. I would have had a much better time.
The quarterback couldn’t stay home, though. That would’ve been crazy. I wouldn’t live it down for weeks, if not months. I’m supposed to be the life of the party. I don’t think anyone realizes how miserable I am at these things.
“It should be a good game.”
“Yeah, man!” Mason yells. “Do you need a drink? You look like you need a drink.”
I hold up the open beer can I’ve been carrying around for an hour. I haven’t so much as taken a sip from it. I carry it for a prop.
“I’m good, man.”
“Alright, come find me when you finish that. We’re doing shots!”
Mason is too drunk to remember this declaration. Even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t go find him. I don’t do shots. I don’t even drink.
I don’t get the appeal of alcohol. I partied a little my freshman year, but my focus is on football. I don’t like how the alcohol makes me feel the next day. I won’t be at my best if I get drunk tonight. Somehow, my teammates manage it just fine. My body isn’t built to party. I’m too much of a homebody. I suppose if I’d had more practice over the years, things would be different. I gave up after my freshman year when I realized I had more fun in my dorm than out at a party.
I make my way over to the wall. This is my favorite place to be when I go out to these things. I’m more of a people watcher than a participator. From this position, I can see pretty much everyone in the open living and dining rooms, plus part of the kitchen.
My mind wanders to Trina. I’ve never seen her at a party that I know of. She may just go to other parties, especially if Ben is right and Trina has a thing against football players. She probably wouldn’t be caught dead in the football house.
I don’t really know much about Trina, but what I do know, I like. She’s passionate about math just like I am. She’s genuine. She has a beautiful smile. She knows what she’s talking about when it comes to tutoring. I could see her becoming an amazing teacher in the future.
Despite not knowing much, I still can’t stop thinking about her. Something about Trina has me intrigued.
My mind flashes to the hurt on her face when I said everything comes easily to her. I never should have said that. It’s obviously not true. Even before my whole speech about the two of us putting in more effort, Trina had clearly put some thought into Tuesday’s tutoring session. She got springs and weights and planned a little field trip.
I didn’t realize how much a change of scenery would help me with my homework. I think even doing the worksheets outside would have made a difference. Seeing the work in practice with the springs definitely changed my understanding of the concepts.
I’ll have to tell my professor about this. I didn’t this week, but we’ve been busy with learning as much as we can before midterms in a couple weeks. If he tried to implement some of Trina’s ideas, I think the class would have an easier time with the work.
Maybe on Tuesday I can talk to Trina about coming into my class. I’ve heard about tutors being embedded in classes. We should have one of those, and Trina would be perfect for the job.
If she even listens to me. Beyond my stupid words, Trina seemed off on Tuesday. I want to know what was going on in her beautiful head. I wish she trusted me enough to talk to me.
I shake my head. Trina and I aren’t friends. I shouldn’t be so hung up on her. She doesn’t like me.
I push off the wall and make my way to a small group of girls.
“Hi, how’s it going?” I say.
“Good. How are you?” one says. She bats her eyelashes at me. I feel bad, because I’m not here for that. I’m on a mission now.
“I’m well. I was wonder, do you know someone named Trina Garrett? She’s a senior math major.”
The girls all shake their heads. “No, sorry, never heard of her.”
I ask around a few more people, but no one knows Trina. It was worth a shot. I knew she wouldn’t be here, but I hoped I might meet someone who could tell me more about her.
Maybe I’ll show up at tutoring early on Tuesday and ask Ben a few questions. Although, they seem to have this weird flirting thing going on. It’s possible they’re already dating, and my thoughts about Trina are ridiculous.
“Hey, Carter, you enjoying the party?” Dennis asks. He’s got a grin on his face that says he knows I’m not having a good time.
“Yeah, it’s great.”
“I heard you’ve been asking around about your tutor.”
“I’m just curious about her.”
“Oh yeah? You’re not interested in trying something more with her?”
I’m shaking my head before he finishes the sentence. “No, that’s not it at all. You know I don’t have time to date anyone. I don’t even have time for one-night stands.”
Dennis laughs. “You know, other people make it work. Look at Candace and me.”
On cue, Dennis’s long-term girlfriend slips under his arm. He kisses her cheek like the happy, lovey couple they are. It’s sickening and adorable at the same time.
Dennis and Candace met during orientation as freshman and they’ve been together ever since. We all have bets going on how soon after graduation Dennis proposes. He wouldn’t do it before, but I have my money on graduation night as the big day.
“You make it work somehow, but I don’t think I could. Everything has to be about my schoolwork and football right now.”
“Wait, Carter’s got a crush?” Candace asks.
“No, I,” I start to say at the same time Dennis says, “yes, he does.”
“Who?”
Candace’s eyes are wide with excitement. Great. Now she’s involved. Candace is a hopeless romantic, so she’s going to want Trina and me to get together.
“Her name is Trina Garrett. She’s Carter’s tutor.”
“Trina! She’s amazing.”
“Wait, you know her?”
“Of course, I do. I’m a math major, too, remember?”
“Sometimes I forget,” I say. Canda
ce and I don’t share any classes. She’s going for accounting, so she takes courses that reflect her desired job.
“Well, Trina and I have two classes together this semester.”
“Really? I thought she was in general math classes, not accounting.”
“She is. I’m taking a couple upper level classes this semester. She’s going to be an undergraduate assistant next semester, too. I’m trying to get into the class because she’s that good.”
Dennis laughs. “She hates football players, so she has a thing against Carter.”
“I’ve heard that, actually. A guy tried something on her a couple years ago. She already hated football guys for some reason, but that pushed her over the edge.”
Damn. That explains why Trina doesn’t like football players. “Is it a guy still on the team?”
“No, I’m pretty sure he graduated last year.”
“Good. I’d kick his ass.”
“Because you don’t want anything more with Trina.”
“I don’t. I’d kill any of my guys who harassed a woman.”
In fact, when I was a sophomore, I got a guy kicked off the team when he had two complaints against him. Our organization will not be known for hiding harassers as long as I’m a part of it.
“What else do you know about Trina?” I ask Candace, changing the subject.
“She’s driven. Hardest worker I know. She’s also incredibly nice. To everyone except football players, apparently. I know she gets paid to tutor in the tutoring session, but she does a lot in our classes off the clock, too. She’s crazy close with her family. She’s a homebody and doesn’t party. That’s pretty much all I know.”
Damn. She sounds like the kind of girl I could fall for. It’s a good thing I know how to control myself. I won’t even try and sleep with her once. We’ll keep things platonic, no matter what.
“Maybe you should give it a shot. She sounds like someone you’d like,” Candace says. Dennis nods along with his girlfriend.
I wave them off. “No, it won’t work out. Like I said, I don’t have the time. Besides, she hates me, remember? And, she’s my tutor. Coach would kill me if I got involved with her. She’s the only one at the tutoring center capable of helping me with the class I’m in. I can’t risk getting kicked off the team for some girl.”
Jock Blocked: An Enemies to Lovers Sports Romance Page 5
