There’s a collective set of groans as there’s a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Jaxon Holmes with a stack full of assignments. His typically pale ivory skin is more Sunkissed than when we started classes a few weeks ago. Probably from his runs around campus, which I’ve seen him on a couple of times. Sometimes, he’s with other guys, but most times, he’s with a girl. The same girl.
He smiles as I grab the stack of assignments and lean over my desk to set them on the empty one in front of me.
I don’t know much about Jaxon Holmes. Actually, I don’t know anything about him aside from the fact that he’s a biology major and on the hockey team. I only know this because Mrs. Lewis made us introduce ourselves during the first week of classes.
This would make Jaxon Holmes the only hockey player I know on our team and one of two athletes I know on campus.
“Also, remember that your lab and lecture grades are collective. You must pass both to pass OCHEM; I know it’s early in the semester, but it’ll only get harder from here.”
She grabs the stack of assignments off the desk in front of me before setting them on her desk.
“Now, let’s get to our real lecture of the day.” She pops the cap off an Expo marker. “Reagents.”
three
Zeke
I’m exhausted.” I groan, falling onto the locker room bench.
“Maybe if you would’ve been a little more serious about our workouts this summer, you wouldn’t be dragging your feet.” Declan throws a towel at me, and it hits me right in the face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I took my cardioveryseriously this summer.” I wink. “And I was at every training session this summer.”
“And somehow you’re still falling behind,” Jaxon jokes, coming out of the shower.
“Well, you guys don’t also spend ten-plus hours a week in a hospital,” I respond, picking myself off the bench. “That mixed with the twenty-plus hours of weekly training, and then classes and homework.”
“Is Zeke Harris pulling the sick mom card?” Brooks leans against his locker, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m not pulling anything,” I reply. “Just being honest.”
I give him a playful shove as I walk toward the showers.
I’m definitely moving a little slower today. I don’t know if it’s because I stayed at the hospital past visiting hours last night orbecause the start of the season next week has been stressing me out. Whatever it is, I’m wrecked.
“You have class in ten minutes, Zeke!” Jeremy yells. “So, if you were thinking about getting a load off during your shower, I highly suggest rethinking that.”
“Fuck off, Jere.” I laugh as I turn the shower on. I know he’s joking; I’m used to it by now. I mean, I can’t exactly argue with fact. I sleep around. I masturbate… often.
I like to call itsex positivity.
Who would I be if I denied a beautiful woman the opportunity to sleep with Zeke Malakai Harris?
“Are you gonna actually get in the shower, or are you just gonna let the water run until you need to leave?” Jaxon wonders, a smug smile on his face. “Because typically, to get clean, you actually have to step into the water and get some soap and—”
I push him away. “I didn’t realize it was gang up on Zeke day.”
“Well, if you want company on your walk to class, you should probably pick up the pace.”
“Trust me when I say this, I may not be walking with you guys, but I definitely won’t walk alone,” I smirk. “Company always finds me.”
I whip off my shirt and see Jaxon, who’s shaking his head. “Are you waiting for a show? I usually don’t do those for free, but I could give you the friend discount.”
“Sometimes I wonder why we’re still friends with you,” he says.
“Because I’m awesome!” I yell, and once he’s out of sight, I drop the smile.
I know they don’t expect me to be the happy-go-lucky Zeke all the time. I know they’re aware of the fact that I’ve been watching my mom slowly die since I was sixteen, with tiny stints of hope that maybe she’ll be okay, just to be let down by more bad news.