by Carly White
“You’re Chloe right?”
I was actually surprised he knew who I was. We were from very different social circles obviously. “Yeah, that’s right. You’re Nick, our hometown hockey champ.”
He nodded. “Yeah, something like that. What the hell happened?”
“Well Johnson should stop messing with my friend is all. He knows she has a temper and that’s what happens. I suppose eventually that the girls on campus will get the hint.”
He kind of chuckled and I snuck a look at his face. Nick didn’t seem too bothered by it all, even with a black eye starting on his face. I was worried about how I was going to get bailed out, figuring in my head how many more hours I had to work to make it up. “That’s kind of harsh isn’t it? I thought you were the voice of reason, like the smart, quiet girl that helps people.”
I had to laugh a little. That is how everyone seen me. “Well I did help someone, my friend.”
“Yet I hate to see that she is not here as well.”
I could see how that would be hard to get through, but I really wasn’t upset. I was glad that she got away. “That’s good. I have to get bailed out some way.”
“I guess that is one way to look at it.”
“So why did you get involved?”
“Some guy pushed me and that was it. I am always down for a fight.”
“That’s because you are a hockey player. I don’t know what it is that they give you. Just tell me Nick, is there kool-aid involved?”
I thought the reference would go over his head, but it didn’t.
“Haha, there is not kool-aid, but a man feels more alive when he is engaged with something that makes his blood boil.”
“Is that so?”
“You two pipe down back there. You have already cost me a mountain of paperwork.”
I hadn’t even noticed the cop sliding into the car until he spoke. “Sorry officer. You know, you could always let me and the lady go. Save us all a whole lot of trouble.”
“That’s enough Zandowski. I’ve seen you too many times to count. You got bail money on you?”
“Of course. So you see Sir, there is no real point to this. Why don’t you just take the bail money and we can save us all some hassle.”
I tried to get him to shut up, nudging him with my shoulder. He couldn’t just try to bribe a cop, it would only make it worse. What I hadn’t expected was for the cop to mull it over and then get out of the car. I figured it was going to be something else, not him walking over to Nick’s side and opening the door. “Five hundred is about how much bail costs for this offence.”
Nick moved his back to him to get the cuffs off and he fished five bills out of the back of his pocket. “Here Trevor, thanks for that.”
“No problem.”
As Nick got out of the car, he looked back at me and then the two talked for a few minutes. I was more surprised when he handed the officer some more money and then he came to my side to let me out. The policeman unlocked my cuffs and told me I was free to go.
“What, why?”
“You’ve made bail miss.”
“Thank you Sir.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank Nick for getting you out.”
I turned to thank him, but he was gone back into the throng of people and I was left to walk home. I had lost my phone in the scuffle and now there was a ten block walk because Lianna had took off with the car. I swore that she better not be with that damn man or I was going to be pissed. This wasn’t my first fight or arrest because of Lianna and I doubted it would be the last, but just once I wished that it wasn’t because of Johnson. What was it, what hold did he have on her? I really didn’t get it.
There was also the thought of Nick and how I would pay him back. I couldn’t have that hanging on my head and I told myself I would figure out a way tomorrow. I just needed to get home, take a shower and forget about the whole damn day.
Chapter 3
Lianna was home when I got there and at least she was alone. “Where the hell have you been Chloe? I’ve been calling the cop shop for an hour and they said that you never came in. Your phone was answered by some chick that said she found it on the floor.”
I sighed, not answering her as I walked towards the bathroom. There was a mixture of liquids on me, beer and wine, maybe a little vodka by the smell of it.
“I’m getting in the shower. We can talk in a minute.”
Truth was that I really didn’t want to talk to her. It wasn’t because I was really mad, but I was still trying to process what was going on. Nick had surprised me in several ways, but mostly that he had bailed me out. I knew that he gave the cop some money, but I didn’t know how much or why he did it. The fact that he even knew who I was surprised me but that he was so nice and funny was the biggest surprise of all. I always took him for an idiot, like I did most of the jocks. But it seemed that I was wrong about him.
When I got out, Lianna was looking guilty. “I’m sorry Chloe.”
“No you’re not, but I still love you. What happened with Johnson, did you talk to him?”
More guilty looks and then her eyes flicked to the bedroom door. “Don’t tell me he is here.”
I knew he was, she didn’t have to say anything else. I couldn’t believe her sometimes, though I could. “Whatever Lianna, I’m going to bed, you two have fun.
And they did, for several hours while I lied in bed thinking about Nick. He was cuter up close and when I realized that he had a good sense of humour. His dark eyes looked right into me and his brown hair was short and spiky. It was his body that had disarmed my senses though. I had a thing for meatheads, I wasn’t going to deny it, but a smart and funny one was hard to find indeed.
Ignoring the sounds of pleasure in the next room, I ended up going for a walk. It was dark and quiet and I was left to my thoughts. When I got back to the house, it was quiet there as well and I was finally able to get some sleep. Johnson was gone in the morning, but Lianna was glowing.
“So it’s on again huh?”
“I think he is the one Chloe. I know you think I am crazy, but he is the one.”
“I hope you guys figure it out then because you two are a bit ridiculous.”
“Well I didn’t ask you to jump in.”
I just gave her a look. Of course she didn’t have to ask. I wasn’t going to let her get jumped by other girls though, could I?
“Look, I’m sorry Chloe. You know I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“It’s all good Lianna. I know why you did it.”
“So you are not mad at me?”
“Not really. It’s not like it’s the first time or anything. This is not our first rodeo, is it?”
“Guess not. So you didn’t even tell me how you got home last night. I saw them put you in the back of a cop car, so I was waiting for you to call me so I could bail you out. What happened?”
“You will never guess who paid a cop off to let me go.”
Now I had her attention. “Wait, someone paid off a cop, like a bribe?”
I nodded. It was kind of crazy when I actually thought about it. “So, who was it?”
“Nick.”
“Like Nick from the hockey team Nick? Rich guy on campus Nick?”
“Yeah, he is the one.”
“You have got to be kidding me!”
It was strange, I will give her that. Even I wasn’t sure why he had done it or how many times he had paid to get off before. The cop seemed to know him and I would imagine it wasn’t the first time. Nick was the type that always got what he wanted, girls, grades, everything was bought. But he didn’t have to help me, so it made me wonder why. What was it that he wanted from me?
“Nope I’m not. It was like an episode of the Twilight Zone I swear.”
“Man, we haven’t watched that in forever.”
“Well what are you doing tonight?”
“Probably Johnson, but we should totally watch some soon. I miss our movie nights.”
“That was what su
pposed to be last night.”
“Don’t pout, I hate when you do that. I will get rid of him early and tonight it will be just me and you. Seems I owe you from last night anyways.”
“Alright, but I am going to see if they need any tutors at the Student Union. Maybe I will get lucky and I won’t have to worry about tuition anymore.”
***
I left the house and drove down to the SU to see if there were any postings for tutors. It was where I got most of my jobs since I had started tutoring to pay for college and it was the easiest way to find students that needed it. I signed in when I got there and said hello to Mary. She had been working there since I started school and she was great at finding what I needed.
“Don’t tell me you want more?”
“Just a couple or one really rich idiot, pick one.”
“It’s those damn tuition hikes I bet. It has gone up 12% this year alone.”
“Tell me about it, so tell me you got something Mary.”
She typed in some keys to the database and I waited for the news. There had to be someone or a couple someones that needed some help, there always was.
“I think I got just the one for you. They signed up yesterday, so I haven’t matched him up with anyone yet.”
“Okay what subjects?”
“Looks like they just need help with Business Math.”
I nodded. It was actually an easy class, just a bunch of formulas, but there were still people that had trouble. Since I was not one of them, it sounded like a good match. “Sounds good Mary, who is it?”
“Do you know Nick Zandowski?”
I groaned inwardly. You have got to be kidding me.
“Yeah, I know him. That hockey player.”
“Yep. Handsome young man. I swear if I was younger…”
I had to agree, he was handsome. It seemed like fate had brought us together again and maybe that was the way that I could pay him back for helping me out the night before.
“Okay, he works, give me his number and I will give him a call.”
“Do you want me to go ahead and close him out?”
“Yeah, I will take care of it. Business Math is real easy.”
“Sounds good Chloe. Remember to have some fun in the middle of all that studying.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
I walked out the Student Union feeling weird, but a bit excited. If there was anyone else that I had to be stuck with, I couldn’t think of anyone better. Not only was he nice to look at, but he had a good personality as well. I just worried that it would end up being a Jimmy situations and I had to make sure that that didn’t happen.
I called the number and it went to voicemail after a few rings. “Hey Nick, this is Chloe and I got your number for some tutoring. If you are still interested, just give me a call and we will work out a time to meet.” Hanging up, I wondered if he would call me. I didn’t know if I wanted him to or not though.
Chapter 4
I didn’t recognize the number that called when my phone rang a few minutes later. I was almost back to my house and I just answered it. “Hello?”
“Chloe?”
“Yeah, who is this?”
“This is Nick, you just called?”
“Yeah I was just at the Student Union and they said you were on the roster for a tutor?”
“Yes. Are you a tutor?”
“Sometimes. Is it just Business Math or are there other subjects that you need help with?”
“Just math. I’m getting good grades in everything else but coach says if I don’t get that class passing, I am not going to be able to play this year.”
“Well that is not a problem. I am really good at math. What time do you want to meet and we can get started whenever you are ready.”
“How about tonight?”
“I was hoping for day time.”
“Why, do you have plans?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, what are you doing tonight then?”
I wasn’t going to tell him that me and Lianna were going to stay in and watch old reruns of Twilight Zone and eat far too much pizza. It didn’t even sound sexy in my head, but it would be a great time.
“Having a girl’s night in with a friend. How about tomorrow night?”
“No good, got plans.”
“And you can’t do days?”
“Not with practice almost every day.”
“Why do you have to practice so much? I mean, you skate, hit a little round thing and hit people.”
He laughed, God I loved the way it sounded. “It’s a bit more than that and it’s a puck.”
“What?” I couldn’t have heard what I just heard.
“The little round black thing is a puck.”
Oh, totally misheard that. Probably because all I could think about associated with him was sex. He was too hot not to think of anything else.
“Okay, so how about you tell me when you are available and I will meet you somewhere to get some work done.”
“How about your place, tonight?”
I sighed to myself. What could I say? I needed to pay him back and make money for tuition.
“Fine, but you are ruining my plans.”
“Aww come on. I helped you, now you can help me.”
I told him to come by about eight and gave him the address. When I got back in, Lianna didn’t seem to mind the change up. As much as she liked old shows, she liked men a lot more and well it was Johnson.
“So do you want me to make myself scarce?”
“Yes, I don’t need you and Johnson screaming and hollering in the next room while we are studying. You are kind of distracting Le.”
“Alright, I will get out of your hair, but with one condition.”
I groaned inwardly. This chick, it was always let’s make a deal with her. “What is it?”
“You let me do you hair and makeup and pick out your clothes.”
I looked at her through slit eyes. “I am not fucking Barbie you know.”
“Yeah well, that’s my condition. If not, me and Johnson can give you some sound effects to get you in the mood.”
“Okay Lianna. But not too much okay. I don’t want him thinking I’m a whore.”
“I should take that offensively, but I won’t.”
“You know what I mean.”
***
She did my hair and makeup, way differently than I would have, but it was cute. The dress she had me put on was a bit much, but I figured I would just change when she left and Lianna would never know the difference. When she finally left it was only five minutes till and I immediately went into my closet and just threw on some shorts and a T shirt. It was tutoring after all, not a date. Even though my friend meant well, I didn’t want him to see me like that and get the wrong idea. Besides the fact that having my butt hanging out of my clothes wasn’t really my style.
I hear the knock as I was taking down the up-do and I groaned inwardly at how poofy my hair was. Wetting my hands and running my fingers through it seemed to tame it enough and I went to the door. “Hey Nick, come on in.”
“Wow Chloe, you look different.”
I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, besides the makeup that I hadn’t had time to take off. I hated the stuff, though I would admit that it did look good sometimes. “Come on in Nick.”
He looked good, like always and I tried to ignore the way his pants fit on his thick thighs. His ass looked great in the jeans and I thought then that this was going to be a long night. Hopefully he wasn’t too dense with numbers and we could get through it relatively easily.
Nick took his jacket off and I had to stop myself from looking, his large muscles flexing as he moved. Fuck he looked good, but it was only business I tried to remind myself.
“So did you bring the textbook?”
He pulled it out of his bag and I had to laugh a little inside because it looked like it hadn’t been opened once.
“Well I can see why this is your second go-round. It doesn’t
look like you have opened your book once.”
“I did a couple of times. I just hate math.”
“Well good thing you are cute I guess.”
He gave me a sharp look and I tried not to laugh. “You think I’m cute?”
“Occasionally, but not tonight. Tonight we have to get you studying so you don’t have to take this class again and you can go on to beat people on the ice like you were supposed to.”
“At least this won’t be boring.”
I ignored the last comment, although I guess I should have taken it as a compliment, though it was hard. I motioned him to the table, but he chose the couch instead. There really wasn’t a choice it appeared, Nick being Nick and I sat down next to him. I tried to keep my distance, but the man was just big and the couch sank down around him, pushing us to the middle together. I opted for the chair arm instead and he then had a view up my shorts.
I was bugging out a bit, just like I had for Jimmy, so I tried to play it off, getting up and asking if he wanted something to drink. “I’ll have a beer if you have one, or a shot of whatever.”
“Yea, sorry there is tea or juice, no liquor.”
He looked at me like I had just said something about eating brains. “What do you mean, you don’t drink?”
“No, it makes me feel bad the next day. You know it’s a poison right?”
“Many things are. Tea is fine.”
I went to the small fridge and got out the tea pitcher, pouring him a glass over ice. Bringing it back to him, I still wasn’t sure where to sit and keep my wits about me around the man. Sitting on the coffee table seemed the best option and he seemed to not notice my discomfort.
“So you don’t drink, you don’t party, what do you do?”
“I go to class and tutor jocks to pay for it. It’s kind of the point of school, isn’t it?”
He shook his head and I was done with the small talk. Being around men like that made me feel like a foreigner or something. So I opened up his text book and we went over some of the more simple formulas that he would have to know. The funny thing was they were all in the back of the book. I showed him where they were and he looked amazed.
