“You’re right.”
“I’m sorry if I’m being kind of negative. I want you to be happy and if that’s how it goes with Ben, I’ll be thrilled for you. I just don’t want you to get hurt because you go in too hot and he gets scared off.”
“No, it’s okay. That’s why you’re the straightforward friend. You won’t bullshit me.”
“Exactly. This is my job as your favorite roommate.”
I laugh. “It is.”
“I’m glad you do it for me, too. I really was about to stress buy those ugly Converse before you talked me out of it.”
“I’ll never let my friend buy ugly shoes.”
“Thank you.”
Jamie reaches over the coffee table to hug me. I laugh and pull her against me. I’m lucky I get along so well with Jamie. She got me through our crazy sophomore year, and she has continued to be with me since then. I can’t imagine how it’s going to be after graduation. Jamie is leaving and heading to Florida. I’m going to stay in New England for the rest of my life.
“Let’s talk about you. What do you have going on?”
“I like talking about you better.”
“Too bad. Any new prospects?”
Jamie shrugs. “There’s a nice girl in my dance elective, but I don’t know if she’s gay, bi, or straight. There’s also a hot guy at work I wouldn’t mind getting to know better. We’ll see how either of them go.”
“I’m so jealous.”
“You could open your heart up to someone other than Ben. Maybe you and Carter will end up together.”
I pretend to gag. “If that happens, please call the authorities, because I’ve been kidnapped and replaced by an imposter.”
“Whatever. You do know that love and hate are similar emotions.”
“That may be true, but it doesn’t fit this situation. I could never love Carter Jenkins. He deserves nothing but my hatred for all time.”
“If you say so. Hey, I also have an ice-skating competition next Saturday. It’s up in Worcester. Do you think you can make it?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know how much I love your competitions.”
“Thanks. This one is singles and partners. Jake and I have been practicing whenever I go home.”
“I didn’t know you were doing partners again. That’s awesome!”
Jamie has been a competitive figure skater since she was twelve years old. Her childhood friend, Jake, also skates, and he’s been her partner since she started. He got married last year to another guy on the circuit and that ended their long run as partners.
“Yeah, Jake and Peter talked about it and they both decided to go back. They miss it. They’re not trying to get as competitive as we all used to be. I get that. I’m still skating because I find it fun.”
“I wish I could do anything as good as you skate. Watching you is mesmerizing.”
Jamie blushes. “Thanks, Trin. I’ll have my mom get you a ticket.”
“Perfect.”
I love Jamie’s mom. Her older sister is fun, too. Competitions are the only time I get to hang out with them, and Jamie didn’t compete at all this summer. The last time I saw her family was during the spring semester.
Though it’s Friday night and we could be out partying like our classmates, Jamie and I decide to settle in and watch terrible rom-coms all night instead. Neither of us are big on parties, anyway, and I’d choose a fun day with Jamie over the stress of a party any day.
I’m distracted as we watch, though. I keep thinking about how someday, Ben and I will be together like the couples in these movies.
Except, when I close my eyes to imagine it, it’s Carter’s head on the body of my dream man, not Ben’s.
That can’t be right. Jamie is getting in my head.
I’ll never fall in love with Carter.
Chapter 6
Carter
This week has gone by too quickly. I’ve been dreading my next appointment with Trina, and now I’m on my way to the tutoring office.
I don’t even get Dennis to talk to on my way this time. He’s got something to do with a professor, so he’s coming late.
Instead, I’m in misery all alone. Not that Dennis would be good company. He loves his tutor and has been excited about this appointment since last week. I’m the only one left who feels like this is a complete waste of time. My other teammates have fallen into the pro-tutoring categories, too.
I have to admit that Trina’s advice last week helped me. Once she stopped being condescending, she was able to show me how to work through the problems I was having on the chapter.
Dennis thinks I need to make an effort with Trina. The problem is, she’s not making an effort with me. How am I supposed to work with someone who hates me for no reason? So, she’s got problems with football players. That has nothing to do with me.
It’s possible I’m letting Trina get in my head. She might not even be overly condescending. I’m wondering if maybe I took her as such because she was giving me attitude. When we were working on my assignment, she was helpful. I was kind of a dick to her.
I’ll try to be nicer today. I came with questions prepared. Dennis is right and I should have a plan for my tutoring sessions. If I can get myself to accept her help, maybe Trina won’t hate me as much. I can prove to her that not all football players are as bad as whoever made her hate us all.
“Hi, Carter!” Ben says when I arrive in the tutoring center. “I’m glad to see you. I was worried Trina scared you off.”
“I don’t scare that easily. Besides, I don’t exactly have a choice.”
“Well, I hope things go well. I really think you and Trina will be good for each other. She needs to get out of her comfort zone. You do, too.”
I want to tell Ben to shut his mouth. Who does he think he is? This guy doesn’t know me. He has no right to tell me what I need to do.
Instead, I smile and tell him he’s right. It’s not a fight worth fighting right now.
“Great. Trina is finishing up with a student right now. She should be ready for you shortly. You can take a seat if you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
I settle into the couch across from Ben’s desk, facing Trina’s office. Who is she in there with? Why do I feel a twinge of jealousy knowing she’s with someone else? She probably tutors a ton of students. I have no right to feel this way. Plus, she hates me.
It’s been a while since I was last with a girl. I haven’t had time between football and classes. That’s probably why my hormones are running wild.
After about five minutes, Trina’s door opens and she walks out with a guy I don’t recognize. Our school is pretty big and my circle is pretty small.
She smiles up at the guy and laughs at something she says. He must not be a football player because she clearly has no qualms about being nice to him.
“Thanks, Jeff. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
“Perfect. You’re the best, Trina.”
Great. This guy is pumping up her ego before she helps me. I’m hoping that doesn’t make her hate me anymore.
Trina is all smiles until she spots me. She visually cringes at the sight of me on the couch.
“Carter. You’re here.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“Come on in. I’m ready for you.”
Ben gives me a sympathetic look as I head for Trina’s office. Honestly, I’m kind of annoyed that Ben doesn’t reprimand Trina. Is she allowed to treat a student this way? I sure hope she reserves this anger for me. Trina could seriously hurt someone else. I can let things slide off my back, but not everyone is able to do that.
“So, I spoke with your professor to verify your enrollment in the class. He gave me a list of upcoming assignments we can go over.”
I gape at Trina. First of all, I don’t even get so much as a “how are you” before she dives right into work. Second of all, she asked my professor if I was in the class? She didn’t believe me?
; “I have to admit, I’m impressed. Your professor didn’t give me your scores, but he did tell me you’re doing well in the class. In fact, you’re doing the best in your class.”
“I was literally doing my work in front of you last week. You didn’t believe that I was actually in the class?”
Trina flushes. “Well, in my defense, it wouldn’t be the first time someone lied about a class they were in. I don’t get why people do it.”
I scoff. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I mean, why pretend to be in a class when you’re not? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Come on, Trina, you can’t be that naïve.”
“Naïve? What the hell, Carter?”
“Trina. You’re a beautiful woman. Obviously, people are going to want you as their tutor. I bet only guys have ever lied about a class.”
Trina opens her mouth to argue but immediately snaps it shut. I smile smugly. Yeah, I just gave her a complement, but it doesn’t matter. I can tell by the look on Trina’s face that she doesn’t care what I think about her.
“Whatever, let’s talk about your work,” Trina says, immediately changing the subject.
“Fine. You’re the one with all the assignments.”
“True. Have you finished this week’s homework yet?”
I shake my head. I didn’t do it because I knew I’d have today. Plus, it’s not due until Friday. My professor assigns us all of the questions from a chapter on Monday to be finished by the end of the week. I should be able to get through a good amount during our tutoring session.
“Okay, why don’t you take that out and we’ll go over it together?”
“Perfect.”
As I get myself ready, I take a deep breath. Yes, I’m angry Trina didn’t believe I was in such a high-level math class. I’m annoyed she talked to my professor. I don’t like that she doesn’t like me. And, I’m finding it hard to look away from her face framed perfectly by her brown hair. She had it up last week, and it was hot, but today with it cascading down over her shoulders, it’s even hotter.
“Do they ever turn the air conditioning on in here?” I ask.
Trina laughs. “As soon as the semester starts, it’s like they turn on the heat. I should have warned you last week. Shorts and a loose shirt are the only way to survive in the tutoring center. Even in winter.”
“That’s something to look forward to.”
I place my notebook next to the textbook open to my homework assignment.
“How are you feeling about this chapter so far? I know you only started it yesterday.”
“Honestly, it’s a bit confusing.”
“Your professor sucks at explaining things, so that doesn’t surprise me. Why don’t we go through the first few problems together?”
“That would be great.”
Instead of staying on her side of the desk, Trina comes over to sit by me. She kindly explains the first five problems on my homework assignment in a way that makes it easier to understand. However, I’m still struggling to concentrate.
“Are you even paying attention?” Trina asks. She’s barely able to mask her frustration.
“Yeah, sorry, I’m trying.”
Trina thinks for a second. “How do you usually do your homework?”
I shrug. “I have all week, so I try to do a little every day. I can’t focus for longer than that. The on-paper stuff is hard for me.”
“That makes sense. You’re probably more of a hands-on learner. I guess I should’ve made a point to figure that out last week. This session isn’t helping you much.”
“No, it is. I already understand better than I did yesterday.”
“That’s good to know, but I can do even better. I’ll show you next week.”
I assume that means the session is over. Instead, Trina starts drawing pictures to go with the problem on my homework assignment. She also creates word problems that help me conceptualize the questions. Even these small things help me focus. If I’d known I could do this, it would’ve been so much easier to get my work done all semester. Hell, it would’ve helped me during my entire career.
I guess tutoring isn’t so bad. And, it seems like Trina is warming up to me.
I’d consider this session a success.
After my hour is up, I gather up my things. Trina returns to her side of the desk.
“Thank you for today, Trina. You helped me a lot.”
“That’s my job,” she says. She returns her attentions to her laptop, dismissing me.
Okay, I guess she’s not warming up to me. She’s simply putting on a show during our session. I’ll find a way to break down her wall eventually. I’m determined now.
Dennis is waiting for me when I leave Trina’s office.
“You ready to go work out?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
We get to the gym and start our regular work out. He gushes about how he got a great grade on the paper his tutor helped him with last week and he thinks this will be really good for him.
“I’m glad your tutor is awesome. Mine still hates me, though she did give me some good pointers today.”
“I’d consider that progress.”
“Yeah, I just wish she wasn’t so cold at the beginning and end of the session.”
Dennis laughs. “You just don’t like when people dislike you.”
“Who could dislike my quarterback?” Coach booms as he walks into the weight room.
Dennis and I both sit up straight.
“No one, Coach.”
“That’s what I thought. How is tutoring going for the two of you? I really can’t afford to bench you.”
We reiterate what we were just talking about, except I leave out the part about Trina hating me. Dennis is right. I don’t like being disliked. That’s why I want to win Trina over.
It has nothing to do with how attracted I am to her.
“That’s great. You two keep up the good work. We have an amazing season ahead of us!”
I sure hope so. Our first game is this weekend, and I think we’re ready. We’ve been practicing pretty much nonstop since the semester started, and that’s on top of the entire summer when we had training camp. We better do as well as projected. This is my senior year, and we’ve worked too damn hard to fail.
Coach leaves and Dennis and I continue our workout.
“You know what I don’t get,” Dennis says. “Coach will bench us if we don’t go to tutoring. But the reason he wants us to go to tutoring is so we don’t get benched by the school.”
I laugh. “It makes no sense. I’m not about to test it, though. I can’t risk sitting out this season.”
“True. Our team needs us.”
I agree with Dennis, but it’s more than that. Football has been everything to me since I was six years old. Sure, I have a backup plan in case football doesn’t work out, but it’s still a huge part of my life. The team doesn’t just need me.
I need the team.
Chapter 7
Trina
I hope I’m doing the right thing. Last week when Carter admitted he does better with real-life applications than worksheets, I mentally made a plan to take Carter on a field trip this week. We do this sometimes with tutoring students who have trouble in a classroom or office setting.
Now that I’m ten minutes from Carter’s arrival, I’m not so sure about the plan. I mean, the equations for simple harmonic motion aren’t the easiest to show in real life.
“Hey, Trina, are you getting ready for your appointment with Carter?”
Ben leans against the doorframe to my office. Today, he’s wearing a button-down shirt and black dress pants.
“What are you all dressed up for?”
“I had a meeting with the advisors today.”
“Ah. That explains why you weren’t here when I got in.”
“Did Eliza do okay in my absence?”
“Yeah, she was fine.”
“Perfect. Now tell me about your appointment with Carter.”
“I’m taking him outside and doing some stuff with springs.”
Ben rolls his eyes. “Can you at least pretend to take this seriously? I know you’re still mad I saddled you with a football player, but we need to keep the athletics department happy. They’re our only source of regular students.”
“I’m taking it seriously, Ben.”
“Then tell me more about your plan.”
I explain to him how the springs will hopefully help Carter nail the second order differential equations we’re working on. Ben nods along even though he doesn’t understand anything I’m saying.
“Just because you can’t use real-world applications to teach how to scan a poem, doesn’t mean we can’t do it with math.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.”
“Did your meeting with the advisors go poorly?”
“It was fine. Let’s talk about something else. How was your weekend? Go to any good parties?”
I laugh. “No, I hung out with my roommate and then went home for a couple days.”
“You go home a lot.”
I shrug. “Yeah, but it’s close so it’s easy. Plus, I love my family.”
“It’s cool you’re so close to them. I wish my family was more like that.”
“It’s rare but I’m grateful. What is your family like?”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Carter says, knocking on the open door.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Carter. Hi. You’re early.”
“Actually, I’m right on time.”
I glance at the clock on the wall. Carter is right. It’s already one. I guess I was talking to Ben for the entire ten minutes before Carter’s appointment. That happens when you have a deep connection with someone. You can talk for hours.
“I’ll let you two get to it then. Enjoy your appointment. Let me know if you need anything.”
I watch Ben leave, wishing he’d say something about us finishing the conversation we started. I know a lot about Ben, but he doesn’t talk about his family much. We were finally getting somewhere in our relationship when Carter showed up to ruin it.
Jock Blocked: An Enemies to Lovers Sports Romance Page 4