She’s going to be the most difficult, though. When she sees me, her smile falls. The same thing happened when I got here last week. Trina would much rather spend her entire day talking to Ben than helping me with my schoolwork.
“Hi, Trina. Hey, Ben.”
Ben stands and claps my hand, giving me an awkward bro-hug.
“Great game on Saturday!”
“Thanks. Were you there?”
“I was. I go to almost every home game. Football is my guilty pleasure.”
Trina’s face sours. “I didn’t know that.”
“I didn’t want you to think poorly of me.”
“You’re allowed to like whatever you want.”
“True, but…”
Trina laughs. “Seriously, just because I don’t like football doesn’t mean I think everyone should hate it.”
Ben gives Trina an odd look. She fixes him with a hard stare. According to Candace, Trina’s dislike of the football team is a well-known fact. Why is she acting like it’s supposed to be a secret from me? Sure, Ben shouldn’t have told me, but since he did, none of this matters.
Apparently, Ben didn’t tell Trina I know. I haven’t mentioned anything to her because I’m trying to win her friendship fair and square. I also kind of want her to admit her bias to my face. That will probably never happen, but a guy can dream.
“We should get to it then,” Trina says to me. To Ben, she smiles her best smile and says, “I’ll talk to you later.”
I hate that it bothers me that Trina has a crush on Ben. He has one on her, too. Ben isn’t as obvious about it, but it’s clear in the way he looks at her. His eyes follow her as she walks to her office. It’s a great view, so I can’t blame the guy.
The last thing I need is a distraction. Dating is exactly that. I’ve seen guys fall apart on the field because of relationship drama. That will never be me. I’m happier staying single.
We won the game on Saturday, but it was a close one. We barely held off the other team from scoring in the last quarter. We only won by one point.
Coach is nervous. It’s our second game of the season, but that doesn’t matter. Any close call is a risk we’re not able to take. He has practices scheduled all week to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
That happened without any distractions on my part. I was perfectly clear and I played one of the best games of my career. The other team was just as good as us, and that’s why it was so close.
Imagine if I did have girlfriend troubles. Then I’d have an extra layer of worry that I can’t afford to have. Coach would never forgive me for letting some girl distract me from playing the game. It would risk my entire career, too. If I’m going to make it to the NFL, I Have to do it on my own. No girlfriend is going to prevent me from achieving that dream.
Friends aren’t a distraction, though. I have plenty of those. They’ve never caused me to almost lose a game. I can be friends with Trina without running the risk of ruining everything.
“How was your weekend?” I ask when we get to her office.
“It was nice. I got to see my family.”
“Do you see them a lot?”
“Every weekend. I grew up not far from here.”
“Nice. I’m from Rhode Island. I don’t get to go home a lot because of football, but my parents come to every game.”
Trina smiles. “That’s great. Isn’t it nice to live close to family?”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine it any other way. I don’t know where I’ll end up next year if I get drafted to the NFL, but my parents are considering moving to wherever I am. They both work from home, anyway, and I’m their only child.”
“That must be nice. My parents aren’t as unattached, so I want to stay close by for grad school. Eventually, I want to teach at a university in Connecticut or Massachusetts.”
“Rhode Island is nice, too.”
Trina laughs. “True. And there are some great schools.”
“Including an Ivy.”
“I’m not sure I’m cut out for the ivy league, but it could be interesting.”
“You could probably teach anywhere you want. You’re really talented.”
She blushes. “Thanks, Carter. That means a lot.”
“I’m sorry about what I said last week. I know you work hard for your grades. You obviously care about tutoring and you’re really good at it. I shouldn’t have been so rude.”
Trina leans back, surprised. “Oh. Thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.”
“I really mean it. I was frustrated last week, but now that my head is clearer, I can see how much help you’ve given me in just a few sessions. Last week especially. Those experiments made the concept so much easier to understand. I got an A on the quiz.”
“That’s great! I knew you could do it.”
“I couldn’t have without your help.”
“Well, then, let’s get to work. We’ll have to stay in the office today, but I have another little field trip planned for next week’s lesson.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Trina comes over to my side of the desk as we work through some of my homework problems. This week’s concept is a continuation of last week, so it’s not as difficult for me. Trina shows me some tricks for figuring things out when I can’t go to a field with a spring and a weight.
As we’re nearing the end of the assignment, I turn slightly and find Trina is sitting extremely close. She sees me noticing her and pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
Sparks fly between us. I know we both feel them. Trina’s eyes get wide and her lips part just slightly.
I lean in to close the distance between us, but Trina pulls back.
“This is some great progress,” she says. “We’re set up to do some practical learning next week. There are only about five minutes left in your session today. Any questions for me?”
I have about a million, but none that I should be asking right now. Trina clearly wants to pretend that moment of heat never happened. I should, too. Friends don’t kiss each other over homework assignments.
“I think I’m good. If I have any, I’ll write them down for next week.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
I pack up my things and leave Trina’s office. Technically, I’m supposed to go work out like I do every week. Dennis won’t be there because he has some meeting with his advisor. Instead of working out alone, I go for a walk to clear my head.
Why did I almost kiss Trina?
And why do I wish she hadn’t pulled away?
Chapter 11
Trina
Every so often, the panic sets in.
It has been three days since Carter almost kissed me during our tutoring session. I have no doubt he was leaning in to press his lips against mine.
I’m glad I pulled away. It was the only right thing to do. We may have had a normal conversation and Carter may have genuinely apologized for his comments last week, but those things don’t mean I’ve forgiven him for the freshman year incident. It also doesn’t mean I’m prepared to date someone on the football team.
I gather my things from my tutoring office and head into the waiting room.
“Good day today, Trina?” Ben asks.
“It wasn’t bad. I don’t have any Friday regulars, so I only had a few walk-ins.”
“That’s good.”
“How was your meeting?”
“It went alright. I think the tutoring center will be funded again next year. I’ve even convinced them to add an extra math tutor to the staff. We’ll need to people to do all the work you’ve been doing.”
I laugh. “Come on, I’m not that good.”
“You are that good. I’ve been impressed with you since the day we met.”
I blush. Ben is the one I should be thinking about. No matter how much I remind myself of this, my brain keeps wandering back to Carter. As much as I’m sure it was a good idea for me to pull away, I also wish I hadn’t.
“Thank you, Ben.”
“I
mean it. Are you doing okay? You’ve seemed a little off this week. Still a rockstar, but I’ve noticed you’ve been a little antsy.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m great,” I say too quickly.
Ben studies me. “Did something happen I need to know about?”
“No, seriously. Everything’s great. I’m a little stressed with school and stuff, but I can handle it.”
“Remember what I said. Don’t burn yourself out.”
“I won’t, I promise. I’m taking the weekend off. I’m not even going home. I decided to stay and veg out in my apartment.”
“That sounds like the perfect plan. I wish I could do it.”
“You lecture me about burnout, but you’re the one taking meetings on weekends!”
“I have classes during the week, or I’m here. Weekends are the only days I have free!”
“Still. You need to be careful, too.”
Ben nods. “You’re right. This weekend is tough, but I think I might take your advice and take next weekend off. I haven’t had a full weekend to myself in… I can’t even remember how long.”
“Same.”
“But wait, don’t you have plans tonight?”
“I do, but then Jamie is going home in the morning, so I’ll have all day tomorrow and Sunday to enjoy myself. Jamie won’t be back until Monday. She doesn’t have class until the afternoon.”
“She played her schedule smart this semester. Well, I should let you go. I hope you enjoy you’re weekend. Try and get some rest for me.”
I laugh. “I will. See you on Monday!”
It’s already six. The tutoring center closes at nine on Fridays, and sometimes I’ll work until close, but today I had an earlier shift. Jamie has another ice-skating competition just ten minutes from campus, and I wanted to make sure I could go.
I quickly stop at our apartment and change into something less business casual. I choose a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and a sweatshirt. It gets cold in the ice rink. Plus, it’s pretty chilly outside. That tends to happen in October in Connecticut.
The drive to the ice rink is short. I get there with plenty of time to spare. Jamie’s mom and sister are already in the stands.
“Trina! It’s so good to see you again,” her mom says, hugging me. We saw each other at Jamie’s first competition a couple of weeks ago, but Trish always treats me like she hasn’t seem me in years.
“Hey, Trin,” Jamie’s older sister, Megan, says. “How’s school?”
“It’s good. How’s doctor school?”
Megan laughs. “It’s hard, but I’m surviving.”
I chat with Trish and Megan until it’s Jamie’s turn to skate. This competition is only for singles, so I don’t get to see her beautiful partner routine again. The singles routine is amazing, too. I love watching Jamie move. She has a natural talent for figure skating.
Trish, Megan, and I sit on the edge of the bench as we wait for Jamie’s scores. Two eights and a nine. That’s the highest Jamie has scored this year.
The three of us jump up and down, screaming and hugging. Jamie looks up at us with a bright smile on her face. I’m so proud of my roommate. She works so hard on these routines, and it’s nice to see her rewarded for it.
After the competition, Jamie changes, and the four of us go out for a late dinner at our favorite on-campus restaurant.
“Thank you for dinner, Trish,” I say when we’re finished. I always offer to pay my share, but Jamie’s mom never lets me. It’s become our own little tradition.
“Any time, Trina.”
Jamie says her goodbyes to her mom and sister. Normally, Jamie would follow them home in her Prius, but she has to meet with her dance group tomorrow morning. She’ll be leaving right after.
“You were amazing, Jamie,” I gush.
Jamie blushes. “Thanks. I’m glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know I love your competitions.”
“I know. And if you had math competitions, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
I laugh. “I appreciate that.”
We continue to chat as we walk back to our apartment. We’re almost there when three guys start in our direction.
Unfortunately, I recognize the one in the middle.
I never saw Carter on campus before I started tutoring him. Why is he everywhere all of a sudden?
My body gets tense, but Jamie doesn’t notice. She’s friends with one of the guys with Carter.
“Hey, Jamie,” the guy says. “What’s up?”
“Not much. Trina and I were just heading home.”
“Nah, that’s lame. Come to the football house with us. It’s party time!”
“I don’t know…”
“You should come,” Carter says, his eyes on me.
Jamie looks at me. Her eyes are pleading. We rarely go to parties, but I know Jamie has been feeling up for a celebration lately. While she enjoys staying home and watching movies most of the time, she does like the occasional party.
“Fine, we’ll go,” I say.
Jamie grins. “Great!”
Instead of continuing our walk to our apartment, we turn and follow the guys to the football house. The party is in full swing when we arrive.
My nerves are getting the best of me as we walk into the football house. Parties always stress me out. Seeing how happy Jamie is makes it worth it, though.
“I need a drink,” I shout in my friend’s ear.
“Let’s go to the kitchen.”
We walk away, leaving Carter and the other guys to mingle in the living room. I’m glad to be away from the guy I might have a crush on.
“So, what’s the deal with you and Carter?” Jamie asks. “I thought you hated him.”
“I do!”
“Then why do you both look like you want to bang each other?”
“We do not.”
“You definitely do.”
I bite my lip. “I think we almost kissed on Tuesday. During tutoring.”
Jamie squeals. “I knew it! You two will totally end up together.”
“Absolutely not. We’re not right for each other.”
“Come on, Trin…”
“Please just drop it, Jamie. Maybe I’ll be his friend, but I’m not dating him.”
“Fine. Let’s go dance.”
Jamie hands me a beer and I follow her back into the living room. The music is loud and I chug down the beer. Since I don’t drink, the one cup is enough to give me a slight buzz.
Over the course of an hour, Jamie disappears to refill our cups three times. I guzzle mine until I’m feeling okay with being at a party. My anxiety disappears after about the third beer.
“I’m going to talk to that guy,” Jamie says, nodding towards an attractive man in the corner. He doesn’t look like a football player, so I approve.
“Okay. I’m going to get another drink.”
“Be careful, Trin. Come back to the living room after so I can keep an eye on you.”
“Fine, Mom.”
I may roll my eyes, but I do as Jamie says. Well, first I fill my beer, drink it, fill it again, and I do a shot with some random guys in the kitchen.
I’m going to regret this tomorrow. Tonight, though, I’m feeling good.
Back in the living room, I glance around for someone I know. There aren’t any familiar faces, but a couple nice non-football guys come over and dance with me. I’m having a great time moving to the music when someone I do know, unfortunately, approaches.
“Hey, Trina, how’s it going?”
I blink up at Carter. “Great. Bye.”
I turn to leave, but I trip on something and nearly topple over. Carter grabs me in his giant arms. Crap. Why does he have to be so attractive?
“I think it might be time for you to go home.”
I open my mouth to argue, but even in my drunken state, I know Carter is right. I may not want to listen to him, but I should go home. My head is spinning.
Jamie is still in the corner talking to
her guy friend. When she spots me, she laughs.
“Oh, Trin. Let’s get you home.”
The guy looks disappointed. “No, I’ll be okay. You stay. Get laid.”
Jamie laughs again. “I can miss one night of sex to bring you home.”
“I can take her home.”
Jamie and I both look at Carter. I had forgotten he was following me around.
“Really, I can get home alone.”
“You can barely stand. I haven’t been drinking. I’ll walk you to your apartment.”
“Is that okay with you, Trina?”
Though she was ready to leave and take me home, Jamie still begs me with her eyes to let Carter do the honors. She’s ready to get lucky with this guy. She also doesn’t appear to be drunk at all. How did I get drunk and Jamie didn’t? Unfair.
“Okay, fine, football can take me home.”
“Text me when you get there,” she says.
“I will,” Carter and I say at the same time.
Jamie puts her number in Carter’s phone. It’s probably for the best. I can form coherent thoughts, but I’m not sure I can type sentences. Everything is a little blurry right now.
Carter and I don’t talk as we walk the few blocks to my apartment. He stays close, making sure I don’t fall into traffic or anything. It’s actually kind of nice. I find myself inching closer to him with every step until our arms brush as we walk.
“This is me,” I say when we get to my building. “Thank you for walking me home.”
I throw my arms around Carter’s neck and hug him. As I pull away slowly, I glance down at his lips. Without thinking, I press mine against his in a drunken kiss.
Carter hesitates at first before pulling me hard against him. This only lasts a few seconds before he pushes me away.
I grin at him. “Want to come inside? Jamie won’t be coming home tonight.”
“I’m sorry, Trina, but that’s not a good idea.”
I pout. “Come on. Why not?”
“Because you’re drunk and I think you’ll regret it in the morning.”
“I’m not that drunk,” I lie.
Carter chuckles. “Goodnight, Trina.”
He kisses my cheek and ushers me towards the door. Carter doesn’t leave until I’ve entered the building. From my room, I glance out the window and see him texting someone. It’s probably Jamie.
Jock Blocked: An Enemies to Lovers Sports Romance Page 7
