Chapter 4
Sitting in class Thursday morning, I decide I’m going to try again. I’ve left Callie alone since last week when I first asked her to tutor me and I freaked her the fuck out and sent her running for the hills. When I finally got those jade green eyes to look at me, I thought my heart would fall out of my chest. Her side-view beauty has nothing on her full face. She looks like she belongs in a magazine, even with her vacant eyes and pale skin. The dark circles under her eyes let me know she needs a good night’s sleep, and just from that one look I have this overwhelming feeling of wanting to take care of her.
I couldn’t help grinning when she so blatantly checked me out, but I was checking her out just as much. Those pouty lips she tried to purse, and when she narrowed her eyes to try and look tough…it all just made her look even cuter. Callie’s high cheekbones are prominent on her slender face. My cock twitched when I saw that blush forming, and I know that was probably bad timing, but he has a mind of his own sometimes. It was funny when she turned towards me and didn’t expect me to be a whole foot taller than her. She looked right at my shoulder like she was about to cuss it out.
I figured I’d give her a little time to calm down, so I’ve tried not staring at her as much, instead actually paying attention during class, but I still don’t understand all this shit. So...it’s time I try again.
Leaning towards her, I whisper, “Callie.” The shiver doesn’t go unnoticed, but neither does the way her body tightens up at my close proximity. I want to reach out and run my finger along her skin to see if it’s as soft as I imagine it would be.
“What?” she questions, but doesn’t look my way. Her eyes are trained on Professor Bryant.
“I’ll pay you.” I’ll try the bribing trick first.
“I don’t want or need your money,” Callie whispers back.
“I’m out of options. Do you want my dream of playing ball to go up in smoke?” Maybe I can make her feel bad. Not my usual MO, but I’m a little desperate here. Don’t hold it against me.
“Not my problem. Maybe you should pay more attention to Professor Bryant and a little less to me.” So she has noticed me watching her.
Time for begging, and I’ll get on my knees if I have to. “Please, Callie. I wouldn’t even be asking if it wasn’t so important. Do you want me on my knees? ‘Cause I will have no shame.” I see the hint of a smile. Making progress. Home run for me!
As I start to get out of my chair, I hear her huff loudly, and the Professor interrupts what I had going on here. “Mr. Mitchell, while I’m sure the conversation you are having with Ms. Fisher is important, it needs to wait until after class.” Sitting back in my chair, I look over at Callie to see a slight blush rising on her cheeks from being called out because of me.
When class is dismissed, Callie stays in her seat with clenched fists, but turns my way. “You aren’t gonna give up, are you?”
“No.” I try to hide my smile, but inside I am high-fiving the shit out of myself.
“Here’s the deal. I will agree to one tutoring session. If I feel uncomfortable in any type of way, I am out of there. It has to be in a public place and not in the library. I have work tonight and tomorrow, so Saturday is the first free day I’ll have to be able to help you. Look me up on Facebook, send me a friend request, I’ll accept it, and you can message with the place and I’ll give you the time to meet me.”
“Deal.” Feeling hopeful, I help Callie grab her books, then grab my own before we walk out of class together.
The bases are loaded and I’m up to bat. Walking to home plate, I swing the bat around, stretching out my arm and shoulder. I take my position; knees slightly bent, bat over my right shoulder, and my focus on the pitcher. He throws a curveball and I miss.
“Strike one!” the ump calls.
Shaking it off, I line up again; this time I know what to expect, and when I connect the ball goes flying. I run to first base as my teammates take off—fuck yes! It’s a walk-off grand slam!
We line up, hitting hands with the losing team before heading into the locker room to shower. My mind wasn’t fully in the fall ball scrimmage game today because I keep drifting to thoughts of Callie and how I’ll be seeing her tonight.
I sent her the friend request and she accepted right away, so I messaged and gave her directions to The Dugout and she said seven pm. I’ll be cutting it close when we get back to campus, but I should make it there before she does. It’s four pm now with a two-hour ride back, so my team better get their hustle on. I really don’t want and can’t afford to fuck this up with her. My plan is to make her as comfortable as possible so she’ll agree to continue tutoring me.
The Dugout is a well-known sports bar, and the main hangout spot for the baseball guys. The Uber drops me off at six forty-five pm—I have fifteen minutes to spare. Hopefully I can find us a table, because on game days it’s usually packed. Glancing at the building, I hope she will be okay with this place; it doesn’t look the nicest on the outside, but the owners are great. Even with the outside looking a bit rundown, once you walk through the doors it’s like going back into baseball past, but with a modern flare.
There are photos of the greats displayed on the walls, including Babe Ruth. They have bleachers sitting in front of a big-screen TV to make you feel like you’re at a live ball game. The back of the booths are customized with baseball bats, and the stools that sit in front of the bar aren’t your usual barstools—they’ve been custom-made in the shape of baseball gloves. The tables are made out of recycled baseball bats, with wooden benches for seats. Walking into The Dugout is like a baseball lover’s dream. The best part about this place is the batting cage that’s in the back.
Luckily, I find one open table right by the door, so if Callie needs to make her great escape she can do so. As I take my seat, I look around the place. It’s not too busy yet, but I imagine some of the guys went back to the dorms first. When the waitress comes over, I order a beer for myself, but I don’t want to be presumptuous so I don’t order Callie anything yet.
A few sips in, I look at my watch and it reads seven on the dot. When I look back up towards the door, Callie is standing there, looking scared until her head turns my way.
With a scowl, she walks over to the table. “You picked a bar to study in?” She throws her book and papers on the table.
“You wanted public—this is the most public I could think of. Have a seat. What would you like to drink?” Giving her a grin, I stand and wait for her response.
She walks closer to me and grips the front of my black beater; I can see the fear in her eyes despite her outward toughness. “I’m giving you a little of my trust tonight. Do not let anything happen to me, don’t let me drink any drinks that are not mine, and don’t leave me alone. Do you understand?”
I grip Callie’s other arm, pulling her in close, and hold her against my chest. “Hey! You have nothing to worry about. I will always keep you safe when I’m around, I promise.” Her body relaxes into mine just a little and I want to keep her cocooned, but we have some work to do. “Let’s walk to the bar and get you a drink, then we will start studying.”
When we get back to the table, I slide the Bud across the table for her to take a drink before she slides it back over to me. I’m twenty-one, but Callie is only eighteen, so we have to sneak her drinking. It might be illegal, but who hasn’t drank underage? It might just help her feel a bit more comfortable.
I was right—a few beers in and Callie starts to loosen up a bit, even giving me a little info about her. “Before this past Fourth of July I was looking forward to coming to college. This would have been my scene.” She looks around The Dugout and adds, “Not so much now.” There’s a sadness in her gaze. “So, we have gone over enough tonight. I think it’s about time I get home. My sisters will be worried.”
“Yeah, we should call it a night.” I really don’t want to. Tonight’s been a lot of fun, but I don’t want to push her. “I hope you will consider doing this again.” I open the app for the Uber and order one to pick us up.
“I’ll think about it.” She gives me the first real and full smile I’ve seen from her.
We walk outside, get in the car, and have a quiet ride back to campus. Getting out first, I open her door, wait for her to get out, then shut it behind her.
“A true gentleman. I like it.” Callie gives me a wink and another smile.
Laughing, I ask, “Do you live in the dorms or off-campus?”
“I live right over there.” She points to the building right next to mine.
“I live in the building right next door, so I’ll walk you to the entrance.” Placing my hand on her back, I lead us in the direction we need to go.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I do. I made a promise and I intend to fulfill it until you are out of my sight.” Keeping my hand on her back, we continue to walk.
“You didn’t ask any questions about how I acted when I first showed up. Or the other day when I ran out.” Her green eyes shine with curiosity in the moonlight.
Shrugging my shoulder, I tell her, “I don’t need to.”
We get to the entrance of her building, and Callie turns towards me. “I’m glad I agreed to tonight. It was the most fun I’ve had in months. I needed it. Thank you!” Callie’s face lights up as she speaks. The half-smile she gives me makes my heart swell, and I want to see it again.
“I had a lot of fun too. I’ll message you.” I lean in and give her a hug. “Goodnight, Callie.”
“Goodnight, Dex.” I stand there, watching her walk away, and once she’s out of my sight I head home.