CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Natalia
The next morning, I’m hurrying across campus like a bat out of hell to get to class. I get shoulder checked a few times, and accidentally bump into a few people along the way. Never realized it before, but sometimes, people on campus can be real assholes. Obviously, if you see a girl jogging across the campus, you should probably move out of her way instead of walking like you’re taking a stroll through the park on a Sunday with your grandmother. I check my watch for the time and groan when I get a good look.
Shit! I’m already ten minutes late.
I quicken my strides, until I say, screw it, and break out into a sprint to make it to class so I’m not any later. My chest feels like it’s about to explode, and I silently remind myself that maybe being physically active wouldn’t hurt too much. If my huffing is any indication, I’m extremely out of shape.
All this because my stupid car didn’t start. I got to campus earlier than usual today and spent most of the morning studying in the library, figuring I had time to make it to class. But when I got to my car…the shit-bucket wouldn’t start. My next class was on the opposite side of campus. There was no way I’d make it in time without my car.
I spent a good fifteen minutes trying to figure it out, but it was no use. I know jack-shit about cars. My father never even taught me how to change a flat tire. Now, I’m going to be late to class and I’m never late. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the library was near my psych class, but nooo, of course my class was on the opposite side of the campus. And it’s not a small campus. Just my damn luck.
The lecture doors come into view as I’m trying to catch my breath, and I notice that the doors are closed. Please let them be unlocked, I chant to myself over and over. Sometimes, our professor can be a dick, locking the doors five minutes after class begins. Luckily when I yank the handle, they’re unlocked, so I quickly find a seat near the back, trying to be discreet. But of course, that doesn’t happen for me.
As I’m hurrying through the back aisle to get to an empty seat, I accidentally knock a girl’s iced coffee off her desk with my shoulder bag, and all hell breaks loose. The coffee splatters all over her desk and the floor with a loud crash and the girl shrieks. Every head in the lecture hall swings to us and I turn beet red. My stomach drops, and I momentarily forget to breathe
Nooo. No. No.
I frantically drop to my knees, “I’m so sorry. Oh god.” I keep apologizing over and over as I try to scoop up the ice off the floor with my hands.
Why? I don’t think I even know why. I’m just trying to make myself look useful now that everyone is watching us, including the professor.
“Is there a problem?” Professor Gillory asks from the podium, irritation lining his voice. I shoot to my feet and shake my head profusely.
“Find your seat and do not disrupt my class again or you will be asked to leave,” Dr. Gillory says coldly. I swallow thickly and hurry to the empty desk, trying not to cause anymore scenes.
My heart is beating erratically, and I can still feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. I sink into my chair, wanting it to swallow me whole. I timidly pull my notebook out and spend the rest of the lecture jotting down everything Dr. Gillory says, trying to keep busy. When class is dismissed, I take my time putting my things away so I don’t have to run into anyone who probably wants to laugh in my face. When most of the lecture hall has cleared, I gather my stuff and head out the doors.
Immediately upon exiting, I run into Luke. Like physically run into him. My shoulder collides with a rock-solid body, nearly knocking me off my feet. Strong hands grip my arms.
“Whoa. Whoa.” Luke chuckles as he steadies me. He bends at eye level with me, and I stare into the most intricate pair of eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Everything alright?” he asks as he searches my face. His eyes look unusually light today with the faintest ring of blue around them. I’ve noticed the colors change from day to day depending on the lighting. Sometimes his eyes look auburn with gold flecks, while others, his eyes look a vivid green with the faintest trace of blue. As I stare up at him, I can’t help but replay the dream I had last night. My tummy flips and I start to blush under the intensity of his stare. I clear my throat, realizing I’ve been staring without speaking.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Today’s just been…shitty.”
Luke’s chest rumbles with a laugh.
“I saw your entrance in class, which was very graceful by the way. You looked like you had just run a mile.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “My car didn’t want to start, so I had to basically run to class. Which is very depressing since I’ve never been late to class. Ever,” I emphasize.
“There’s a first for everything, Babygirl.” My heart flutters at his little endearment. It never gets old.
“Wait, did you just say you saw me come into class? I thought you’d be sitting in our normal spot.” We usually sit in the middle of the lecture hall, toward the front. It’s not up too close, but it’s still close enough to concentrate and look like good, interested students. It’s also pretty much impossible to see who comes through the doors unless you’re staring, waiting for someone in particular to walk through.
Luke shifts on his feet. “When I got here before you, I knew something was up, and after you didn’t text me back, I checked the doors once or twice to see if you’d be late. I happened to look back when you came in and made a scene. I don’t think anyone in class missed your arrival today.”
I groan, and my heartbeat returns to normal. Of course, he wasn’t waiting for your arrival, Natalia. He just wanted to be sure his punching bag was in class with him today. This is Luke Caldwell we’re talking about here.
“Oh, right,” I say dejectedly. “Seems I forgot to charge my phone last night, so I couldn’t call anyone for a ride earlier when my car wouldn’t start because it was dead,” I explain.
Luke searches my face before he says something that surprises the heck out of me.
“I’ll take a look at your car if you need me to. In the meantime, if you need a ride, or two, I can give you one as long as they don’t interfere with practice.”
My mouth hangs open in shock. Luke is actually being nice? I recover quickly. “Really?” I ask. “Are you sure? Because you don’t have to. I can take an Uber or ask Sam whenever she’s not busy.”
Luke shrugs. “It’s no bother, really. Although there is one stipulation,” he says with a smirk that showcases a dimple. I narrow my eyes and search his expression for whatever his stipulation is.
“What is it?” I ask warily. Luke gives me a full-blown smile, deepening his dimples.
“In return for rides, you let me teach you about football.”
“That’s the stipulation?” That’s not so bad. How hard can it be?
“Yup.” Luke grins. “So, what’ll it be?”
I mull it over for a few seconds before shrugging. “Screw it. A little football knowledge never hurt anyone.”
“Perfect. First practice starts today. Meet me after your last class.”
“Wait. Do you even know anything about cars?”
He frowns at me. “Of course I do. That’s just insulting to my manhood, Natalia.”
We make a big show of shaking on it, and I can’t wipe the stupid smile off my face when his hand touches mine.
***
After my last class of the day, I meet up with Luke a little way off campus on Fifty-Fifth Street. Across the street from campus, next to the school’s alumni center, is a large track and field that are used for various sports. I’ve never been on this side of the school. I’m really only familiar with the library, the parking lots, and the buildings where most of my classes have been. San Diego State is a huge university. If you don’t have some sort of knowledge of the campus, or a map, it’s easy to get lost.
“Follow me.” Luke nudges me in my back, and I follow a few steps behind him onto the field. It’s easy getting access to the field standing next to the university’s star quarterback. The campus security doesn’t bother with any questions.
Typical.
Luke sets the bag he has slung over his shoulder down on the lush green grass of the field and pulls out a football.
“What, do you carry a football around with you all day in case you need it?” I joke.
“Pretty much.” He shrugs.
I turn to him with wide eyes. “Seriously? That’s…weird.”
“Weird for you, yes. Weird for me, no. I carry around a football just like I’m sure you carry around an unnecessary textbook.”
I narrow my eyes. “I do not carry around unnecessary textbooks, you asshole.”
He chuckles and tosses the football to me without warning. My knee-jerk reaction is to cover my face, but I’m too late, the ball clips me right in the nose.
“Ouch!” I groan and clasp my hands over my nose. “Seriously? You could’ve broken my damn nose. Why didn’t you warn me?”
He winces. I watch through my hands as he strides up to me and lightly places a finger under my chin, tilting my face up. He pushes my hands away and assesses the damage. Warmth spreads throughout my body from my chin down to my core. Damn him and his stupid warm touch.
He snorts loudly. “You’re so dramatic. Your nose isn’t even red.”
I slap his hand away from my face, “You’re such an ass,” I grumble. Luke reaches behind his back and pulls his shirt over his head. He jerks his chin toward the center of the field, indicating for me to follow him.
“C’mon, Textbook. Let’s get started. Teaching you is gonna be a lot harder than I thought.”
Instead of following him, I stay rooted in place, staring after him. He has one of those sleeveless under-armor shirts that hug his muscles to perfection. My eyes trail up and down his body, and I’m vaguely aware of the heat swirling in my core.
“You done checking me out, Babygirl? I’d like to get started sometime today.”
My eyes widen and snap up to meet Luke’s gaze. I open and close my mouth like a gaping fish. “I was not checking you out!” I snap. Luke smiles at me condescendingly.
“Okay. Right. Just like you weren’t checking me out the other day after my shower?” His voice has a teasing tone to it, and I narrow my gaze at him. Evil butterflies churn in my stomach as I recall a dripping wet, shirtless Luke. Just the thought of being touched by Luke has me drooling like a dog in heat. Letting out a frustrated growl, I shoot a glare at him.
“Just shut up and show me how to throw the damn ball, Mr. Popular.”
Luke lets out a loud laugh, then proceeds to show me all about the football, and where to hold it.
“When you throw it, you want the ball to spiral.” Lifting the ball, he shows me where he wants my fingers. “Position your fingers in between these white laces right here. Your ring and pinky finger should be placed in between the breaks of the laces. I know it’s a bit awkward with the shape of the ball, but over time you’ll get used to it.”
I do as he says with a smug little smile. “Doesn’t seem too hard. This is seriously why you’re so popular?”
Luke narrows his eyes at me. “Watch yourself, Baldoni.”
I laugh, raising my free hand in surrender. Ignoring my dig, Luke jogs back a few feet then indicates for me to throw it.
“Throw it from there. I’m not too far away, I just want to see if you have the throwing down.”
I do as he says and throw the ball. I wince as the ball misses my target completely. I’m also pretty sure the ball isn’t supposed to be jolting wildly in the air like that.
Luke sputters a laugh. “How the hell…? I literally just showed you how to throw it.” His hands are down at his sides in the universal “what the fuck” gesture.
“I forgot!”
He jogs back toward me with the ball in hand, and an impish grin on his face.
“C’mon, Textbook, lets focus, because you’re gonna need more help than I thought.”
I roll my eyes, and let Luke show me how to throw the ball correctly for the rest of the practice. After a good ten tries, I finally get it down, until he moves a few more feet away.
Throwing a football is a lot harder than I anticipated.