ONE
TEX (TRAVIS)
“Oh my God, why is there so much math in this class?” As heat rose in my chest, I scoffed and raked my fingers through my bangs.
“Dude, what class is it?” Malik, our first-string running back, grabbed a protein drink from the refrigerator and unscrewed the cap, his dark hair falling across his forehead over his equally dark eyes.
“It’s a business analytics class. I didn’t know it would be like this.” I huffed a sigh and sat back in my chair at the dinette, spreading my legs out underneath the table. I never should have taken this class. It had the potential to bring my GPA down to a dangerous level. “I prefer essays. Not this shit with all the busy work.”
Stepping toward me, he chuckled and said, “You’re the only guy I know who enjoys writing reports and shit.” He set his hand on my shoulder and leaned over me, focusing on my laptop screen. “Sorry, but I can’t help.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Now, if it was genetics-type math, that would be a different story.”
“Yeah, I know.” Slumping my shoulders, I twisted my lips. How the hell would I manage this? It was already mid-October,and the football season was in full swing. “Maybe I should drop this class.”
“What, and be a quitter? That’s not the Tex I know.” He dropped into the chair opposite mine. “Besides, it’s past the deadline to sign up for another class, and how would you earn enough credits for graduation?”
“Yeah, fuck.” I pressed my lips together. I had a midterm coming up, so I needed to understand this material fast.
“What about getting a tutor?” He sipped his protein drink as Grey waltzed out of the hallway to the bedrooms.
“Hey, guys.” As Grey’s light blue gaze met Malik’s, his face lit. As he passed by, he gave Malik’s cheek a quick kiss. He was our second-string running back and Malik’s best friend with benefits.
Those two were so in love. When would they finally admit it? “Yeah, maybe a tutor would help.” As my gaze fell to my laptop, the screen went black, and my blue eyes stared back at me, the same color as my mom and brothers. Dad was the only odd man out in my family, having brown eyes. As Dante, my Mexican-American boyfriend from high school would say, I was a totalgüero. Fuck, my hair was messed up. I smoothed my blond bangs over the top of my head and off my forehead.
“Admiring yourself?” Malik scoffed a laugh and took another drink of his shake.
“Shut up.” I closed my laptop and exhaled. “I’ve never needed a tutor before.” It was a little embarrassing even admitting I might need one.
“There’s a website dedicated to finding tutors if you log in to your ASU account.” Grey pulled a water bottle from the refrigerator and then sat beside Malik. “What flavor of shake are you drinking?”
“Chocolate.” Malik beamed at him and placed his hand over Grey’s, resting on the table.
Grey’s gaze roamed over Malik.
These two were ridiculous. How did they think no one elsenoticed what went on between them? “Okay, so I’ll log in and see who I can find.” I opened my laptop and found the tutoring website.
“When are you making dinner?” With a hungry look in his eyes, Malik pulled Grey up from the table. “Do we have an hour?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I waved them off. Those two fucked more than anyone I’d ever known. Must be nice. I clicked ontutors for the business classesand ended up on a guy who was in his last year of his master’s degree in business, Colton Reed. He’d work. I emailed him.
Hi Colton,
I’m Travis Rowlings, an offensive lineman with the ASU football team, and I need help with an undergraduate business analytics class. I’m looking for help as soon as possible. I’m lost and I have a test coming up. We have an away game this weekend, so I have limited time to understand this material.
Thank you.
Travis Rowlings
After dinner,I checked my school emails at the dinette while Malik and Grey cleaned the dishes. I needed someone fast. I’d need to meet before we left for Saturday’s game. Spying an email from Colton, I clicked it open. Bingo.
Travis,
Thank you for reaching out. Yes, I can certainly help you with your business analytics class. It’s one of myspecialties. I have an opening tomorrow evening, if it works with your football schedule, but I don’t enjoy meeting at the center. I find it too distracting, especially when working on complex topics like this. Can we coordinate through text for the time, and I’ll send you the address for my apartment?
Best Regards,
Colton Reed
With a grin, I read his phone number at the bottom. Hell yes, this guy was perfect. I added his contact information into my phone and texted him.