Where the hell is he?

I lean back in my chair and stare at the clock. Every minute has passed excruciatingly slowly. I’ve wanted to leave at least a dozen times by now. Usually, I wouldn’t put up with someone being over an hour late. But, there’s something different about David. I also promised Melissa that I would give this my best shot.

At least, that’s what I was going to do. But right now, he’s almost an hour late and I have better things to do than wait for him. I shuffle the sheets of paper that I’d laid out. My whole tutoring plan is going out the window. I curse under my breath and can feel the blood rushing to my face. I woke up and got here early. All of that was for nothing.

I should have left the second that he was late. That way I could have taught him a lesson and not been here wasting my time. I pull hard on my zipper and it breaks at the side.

Great! This is all I need. This day isn’t exactly turning out how I hoped it would. I guess that I shouldn’t be too surprised by this.

He’s just the stereotypical jock. Doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Probably forgot about our scheduled meeting for this morning. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went out last night and got drunk.

An image of David with some sorority bimbo flashes in front of me. I shove the rest of the papers into my backpack, not caring if they get crumpled or not. I don’t know why I’m angry. I shouldn’t give a shit about David and what he does on his off-time, but for some reason I’m mad.

I look up at the clock as I make my way to the door. It might have to do with the fact that he’s officially an hour late. All of this has been such a waste of time.

And to think that I was excited to tutor him. I wanted to help him get on the right path. Help him get back in the game and winning. Something tells me that they won’t go too far without their star quarterback.

Everyone on campus loves the team and wants nothing but the best for them. The thought that I could come in and save the day would have been great. I obviously got a little ahead of myself. A person failing this many classes like David doesn’t care about being prompt or my time.

My hand grips the door handle. This is the last time that I do a favor for Melissa Dunn. I’m going straight to her office and telling her that I don’t have time to waste with someone who can’t even be bothered to show up. I throw open the door and take a step forward.

Right into something hard and soft. It’s a light blue t-shirt that comes out in front of me.

This shouldn’t be here. I reach out and let my hand run up the curves of the blue shirt. I blink a couple times and take in the blue color that is inches from my face. Slowly, I look up, and I’m met with the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. And the biggest grin that I’ve ever seen.

“Is this how you greet all your students or just me?” His eyes fall down the side of my body and stop at my waist. He nods in approval before he returns my looks.

The rush of heat to my face is fast and intense. I want to crawl up into the darkest corner of the library and die. Instead, I do the only thing that comes to mind. I move to the side of him and rush a hand to my mouth, trying to block out the redness on my cheeks.

“Watch where you’re standing,” I shout and try to move past him, but he shoots a hand out blocking my way.

“Excuse me?” he chuckles. His chuckle is deep-sounding. Calming. Mellow. The kind of chuckle that shakes me to my core. I let the shiver run through me, and that’s when I notice my hand is still on his chest, firmly grabbing at his right pec. “You’re the one who bumped into me.”

“I wouldn’t have to watch where I’m going if you didn’t take up the whole doorway.” That has to be the worst excuse that I can give. Blaming him for being too big. I peel my hand off his chest and try to duck under his massive arm. I almost manage to slip by him when his hands grab me by the sides of my arms. His fingers curl at my arms and pull me into the room. I’m expecting him to be forceful with me, yet he moves me into the room like I’m nothing but a mere annoyance.

“And where do you think you’re going?” His thick, smoky voice reverberates through the small study room. I bite down on my lip as my eyes lock on his long, thick fingers. They’re rough and callused, probably from all the time on the field. “We have an appointment, teach.” His words are crisp and aim to tease me. I try not to let it affect me, but I can feel the warmth between my legs rise.

“We had an appointment,” I correct him. I move my shoulder and get out of his touch, sorely missing it the second it leaves. I stick out my hand and point at the clock. “You’re over an hour late. I don’t have time to wait for someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” He shrugs his shoulder and his backpack swings out in front of him. He opens it and takes out the manila folder that I’ve grown to know. “What’s the supposed to mean, bookworm?”

Bookworm? Is he not listening to what I said? I just told him that I don’t have time for this. I’m not going to waste my time with someone who doesn’t want to be here.

“A jock who doesn’t care about his grades. You clearly don’t care since you’re here so late.”

For some reason his nickname comes to the forefront of my head.

Big Jock.

A sudden urge takes over me. I try to resist it but I fail. My eyes fall down the middle of his body and firmly lock on his crotch. All of a sudden, I want to know why they call him the Big Jock. I want to know if it’s true or not.

I can almost make the outline of something against his thigh.

I hold my breath. There’s no way that it’s that big. That has to be a cellphone or pencil case in his pocket. I run my tongue along my lips and shake my head. When I look up, he’s grinning from ear to ear.

Busted.

He nods along to my words but it doesn’t look like he’s really listening. He grabs the door and shuts it behind him. He holds out the manila folder in front of me.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He looks at me for the longest time before he holds out his hand. “We’re going to be together for the next couple weeks regardless if you like it or not. Might as well get on the right foot.” His eyes trail down my body before he meets my eyes. “I’m David Cooper.”

I know who he is, but I don’t care. I’m sure that he’s used to getting his way because he’s the star quarterback, but that’s not happening to me. No one is going to waste my time. For a last ditch effort, I try to move around him. His hand grabs my shoulder and I spin around on the back of my heel to face him.

Strong. Powerful. Tall.

All those thoughts stream into my head as he holds me in place. I open my mouth to talk, but I can’t find the words. I’m lost in the smirk on his face, the thick neck and taut chest.

“My… My name is Casey Boone.” I pull away from his grip, but he holds me still. I would normally feel uncomfortable being touched by a stranger, but not in his hands.

“There we go. Now, was that so hard?” His grip loosens on my shoulders and his hands slowly drift down the side of my arm until they get to my waist, where they stop. “Now why haven’t I seen you on campus before? I’d remember an ass like that.” He moves to the side and tries to take a look at my ass but I move away from him.

“How dare you?” I raise my hand, fighting the urge to slap him. I don’t care who he is, nobody talks to me like that. “I’m not some piece of meat,” I shout back.

The words leave my mouth, but I’m not really mad at him. I haven’t gotten a compliment like that in a long time. I hate myself for liking it, but I can’t let him know that.

David holds his hands up to the side and shakes his head. “It’s a compliment. No need to get your panties in a twist.”

“I don’t remember asking you for your observations. If this is how your going to act then you might as well leave now.” He stares at me before shaking his head.

“I’ll try my best to keep the observations to a minimum,” he says with a smirk. He grabs the manila folder off the table and holds it out for me. “I’m supposed to give you this.”

I unzip my backpack. “I have my copy.”

“That’s just great,” he says and rolls his eyes. “Try not to judge me too hard.” He pulls the chair out, spins it around, and sits down. His knees peek out from the side of the table and his body dwarfs the small chairs inside the room. I try not to laugh as I sit down across from him.

I need to keep my distance from him. Not because I’m scared of him or anything. I’m more worried about what I’ll do to him. There are a number of feelings and thoughts coursing through me. Each naughtier than the last.

All I know is that the closer that David is to me, the less I can concentrate. I open the folder and pull a random assignment from inside. It doesn’t matter which one I choose. David looks at it for a second before turning his head away.

“I’m not here to judge your past mistakes. I’m here to make sure that they don’t repeat and we get you back on the field.” David’s ears seem to perk up at my words and his eyes glimmer for a second. He pulls the chair in closer to the table and leans forward. “Let’s forget about today and start fresh. When are you free to start?”

David reaches into his backpack and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. “Right now I’m required to be in four classes. Otherwise, I won’t be considered a full-time student and I can’t play. But that seems like the least of my problems right now.” I grab the piece of paper from his palm. A shock of electricity shoots through me as our fingers touch and I clear my throat. David stares at me with those deep, intense eyes of his, and I start to lose my bearings.

Distance might not be the only thing that I have to worry about with him. I don’t know how we’re going to be able to get any work done at this rate. I press the piece of paper on the table, straighten it out, and scan it. A few of them are familiar, which will be good for both of us.

“This should be doable.” I point to the bottom of the page. David reaches over to smooth the piece of paper, our fingers touching. My eyes shoot up at him and he meets mine. “Mrs. Rowling seems like a hard ass at first, but if you write what she wants to read, then it’s an easy A.”

“That shouldn’t be too hard.” David bends over the small table, his shoulders almost touching my head. He has no sense of boundaries, always in my personal space. And I haven’t decided if I like it or not.

Ever since I came to college, I haven’t had the time to enjoy any of the fun that comes along with it. I put that life behind me when I left high school. I haven’t indulged in the frat parties and football games like everyone else.

I let my eyes linger on David for longer than need be as he takes in my words. For the first time in a long time, I’m reconsidering my decision. Maybe I should have a little more fun in college. It wouldn’t hurt to relax and see a game once in a while. It wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen.

“I can meet tomorrow after class,” David says and points to the open block in his schedule. “I have practice in the evening. Coach wants me on the field going through plays. That way when I start passing my classes I’ll be on top of my game.”

“That works for me.” I start to gather my stuff and David waits by the door. I try to ignore the fact that he’s staring at me the whole time. I make my way to the door and he opens it for me.

“Do you want to grab lunch?” he asks as I’m about to step out the door. His words don’t register with me at first.

“You want to grab lunch with me?” I ask to make sure that I heard him right. That should make it pretty clear to him how often I’ve been asked out. He tilts his head to the side and stares at me for a split second before he smiles.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m asking you. I thought you were supposed to be smart,” he laughs. “I know the perfect place.” His hand falls around my shoulder before I have a chance to answer him. I let him lead the way.

After all, what’s the worst that can come from an innocent lunch break?

* * *

We stop outside of a place at the back of campus. I bring a hand to my forehead to block out the sun.

“Luigi’s Pizzeria?” I squint my eyes and look up at David. “Are you sure about this place?”

“Best pizza in this town. Without a doubt.” He smiles at me and I lose my concentration. I decide to take his word for it. I’m not one to eat out a lot. Cup of ramen noodles from the store around the block are what’s been keeping me going through college so far.

The pizzeria is nestled between two big modern buildings, almost hidden in plain sight. I’d never noticed this place before. I must have walked past it dozens of times, but never looked at it once. There’s a small, broken-down sign that doesn’t light up. The entrance is a big black door that doesn’t scream like it’s a welcoming place. It looks more like a beaten down nightclub than a pizzeria.

A small bell above the door rings as David holds it open for me. I walk inside, and when I look back at him, his eyes are firmly on my ass.

“Now we’re even.”

I open my mouth to argue with him, but I see no point. He caught me fair and square last time. And at least he’ll admit that he was staring at my ass and not playing around with me. “Yeah, we are.” The flush to my cheek is hard.

Are we flirting with each other? It’s been so long since anyone’s given me any attention that this feeling is almost foreign to me. It’s not that guys don’t flirt with me, it’s just that they lose attraction when I’m not gushing over their every word. Men don’t want to work on building a relationship like they used to, not when there are plenty of girls with lower standards on campus.

I walk up to the counter with David at my side. I almost jump into the air a little when his hand grabs hold of my waist and stays there. I’m about to give him a piece of my mind when a lanky man pops his head from behind the counter. His eyes light up the moment he sees David. “David, what are you doing here?” His words are drenched with a thick accent. At least, I think it’s Italian. “And who’s the pretty lady?”

“The pretty lady is my tutor. And we’re starving.” David rubs his belly and takes a menu off the counter.

My cheeks burn with his words. Does he really think I’m pretty or is he just saying that?

“Just give us two slices of your best pepperoni.” David slaps the table and pushes me to the back of the small pizzeria. There are only a couple tables and even fewer customers. David picks at table at the back and pulls out the seat for me, pushing it when I sit down.

“Didn’t expect for you to be so well-mannered. If you just work on your time management and studies, you might actually be a decent guy.”

David laughs, which makes the muscles around his neck tighten. I get a weird urge to lean over the table and take a bite of it. To see if it’s as muscular as it looks. “Just a decent guy? How hard do I have to try to impress you, Casey Boone?”

“I’m not here for you to impress me. I’m here to make sure that you pass your classes, and that’s all I care about.” I grab a napkin from the table and start to rip at the corners. A nervous habit that always got me through awkward times.

David holds his hand up to his side. “Good, because I’m only here to study. You don’t know how tiring it can be when all the girls want you. All because of some gossip on campus.” He takes a sip of his drink, but his cheeks rise and I can almost see the whites of his teeth.

“It must be so tiring, huh, Big Jock?”

David’s ears get red and he tries his best to hide it. “So you’ve heard.”

“Here’s your pizza.” Luigi puts down two plates. Each plate has the biggest piece of pizza that I’ve ever seen. The cheese is practically dripping off the plate and the smell of pepperoni fills my nose. I’m practically salivating by the time Luigi gets back to his counter.

“This looks good.” I try to grip the pizza with my small hands but it slips out. I look over at David, who is halfway done with his.

“Here, let me help you. The trick is to fold it.” He grabs it by the crust and folds the pizza in half and holds it out for me. I grab it and let the cheesy goodness slip into my mouth. I close my eyes and take it all in. When I get to the crust and open my eyes, David is staring at me. “So?”

I take a napkin and wipe the oil from my hands and mouth. “It’s ok,” I tease.

“Just ok? I’m going to tell Luigi about this.” His hands push off the table, making his biceps flex, and he gets up. My chair nearly tips over as I reach out and grab him by the wrist.

“Ok, I lied. It’s the best pizza that I’ve ever had.”

“I knew it.” He pulls his chair a little closer to me. The bell above the door rings and I almost fall back in my chair. David follows my gaze and his eyes light up. “Dwayne! Over here.” He waves over for Dwayne to come.

This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all. I grab my backpack from the chair and throw it over my back. “I need to go. I’ll see you tomorrow after your class.” I keep my head low and to the side, making sure that Dwayne can’t see me.

“Casey, where are you going?” David shouts as I open the door and escape outside.

That was a close call. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Dwayne and I’d like to keep it that way.

By the time I make it to my dorm room, my cheeks are hurting. I slam the door shut and stare at myself.

“You need to stop smiling right now,” I say to myself, but it doesn’t work.

The smile won’t go away. A week ago, if someone’d told me that I’d be having lunch with David Cooper and that I would have a good time, I wouldn’t have believed them. I let my body fall on the bed and close my eyes.

I don’t think I can get any work done today. Not with him on my mind.