“Are you going to tell me why you were so flustered when you got into my car?” Evan nodded at the bartender as he set menus in front of us. “I didn’t ask when you got in because I know you. You weren’t ready to tell me.”
“I wasn’t flustered.” Picking up my menu, I scanned the standard bar fare of nachos, burgers, and tacos. I’d eaten tacos for lunch, so those were out.
“So, you’re still not ready to tell me. All right…” With a quick laugh, he ordered a beer and a burger.
I ordered the same and handed my menu to the bartender. I couldn’t tell him about Travis, could I? But he wouldn’t tell anyone.
“Whatever happened with that date you went on with…what’s her name?” After the bartender set our beers down, he sipped his.
“Sara.” I fingered the condensation on my glass. “I’m not seeing her anymore. It didn’t work out.” I wouldn’t spend any more time on her today.
“Oh.” He smirked at me. “Can’t say I’m surprised.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Tell me what’s new with the offensive lineman?” He pushed my shoulder. “And don’t tell me nothing.”
With a grin sweeping my lips, I twisted my beer on the bar top. “Oh, it’s something.” Yeah, I’d tell him. He would pry it out of me eventually, and it would be better to tell him before I had too many beers.
“Something? Really?” He beamed at me. “Dude, I thoughtyou looked more relaxed, like you’d gotten laid.” He bumped my shoulder with his. “About time.” He drank his beer.
“I…didn’t get laid.” Not the way he thought. “But yeah, I hooked up with Tex, I mean, Travis.”
He leaned in close. “His name is Tex. That’s what everyone calls him.”
The bartender set our burgers down as the game started on all the televisions, with the feed coming through the bar’s speakers.
Except I only called him that when I felt…close to him? Lusting over him? I plucked a fry from my plate and ate it. “Yeah, whatever. His name in the ASU system is Travis.”
“Look, there’s your boy.” He pointed at the screen as the camera panned across the players.
Travis looked into the camera, his helmet almost covering his eyes, and mouthed,hi, Colton.
My heart burst with warmth. Damn it, he was getting to me. I had never received so much attention. I glanced at Evan. Okay, except with him. But he didn’t count. He was my best friend.
Tapping my arm, he said, “Tex said your name again, I can tell.” He nodded. “Uh-huh, I can read lips.”
“Can not.” I scoffed a laugh and picked up my burger. I’d have to tell Travis to tone it down. We didn’t need anyone figuring out what was going on between us. But for now, I’d enjoy it.
There weretwo minutes left in the first half, and ASU had the ball. While trailing by a touchdown, the offense needed twenty-two more yards to score.
“Watch, they’ll run the next play and then James will throw the ball.” He dipped a fry into his ketchup and ate it.
The players lined up, and the center snapped the ball. As the quarterback stepped backward, he scanned the field.
Thompson ran left and then right, and James threw him a short toss.
I kept my gaze on Travis, battling with defensive linemen and pushing them back. As a hole opened, Thompson sprinted through and high-stepped into the end zone.
“Fuckin’ A. They got it.” Evan grabbed my shoulder and shook me. “Did you see that, Colton? Your boy made the hole that got the touchdown. The guy is unstoppable.”
With a soft laugh, my heart soared. “Yes, I saw it.” Travis was amazing in more ways than one.
The special teams took the field for the kick.
“Now they have to keep Iowa from scoring.” He sipped his second beer.
As I gripped my beer, a woman waved her hand at me. I focused on her. Was she a new student I’d tutored this week?
“Hey…” She hopped off her barstool and strutted toward me, flipping her blonde hair behind her shoulder. “I think you’re in one of my classes. Are you taking business?” As she closed the gap between us, her gaze raked over Evan and then settled on me.
“I am. I’m in the MBA program here.” Swiveling on my barstool, I faced her. I didn’t recognize her from class. But then, I focused on the professors and not the other students.