“I have a lot of homework.”
The girl’s redheaded friend tossed her beautiful curls. “Girl, you are missing out.”
Kazlyn gave them an apologetic smile and followed the crowd out of the stadium into the cold night air. Her homework had to come first, but she knew the teenagers were right. She was missing out, missing out on more than she wanted to think about.
Chapter Three
KAZLYN EXITED HER CLASS AND looked discreetly around for Ty. He’d said he would see her tomorrow. She’d been watching for him all day, but this was the one place he knew she’d be. Not spotting him anywhere, her shoulders rounded and she trudged toward the exit. Thoughts of Ty and his teasing grin were the one bright spot with this dreary weather and the fear of finals pressing in.
“Natalya.” His deep voice carried through the building and Kazlyn’s entire body warmed. She turned and waited as he jogged up to her. “Sorry,” he said. “I wanted to be outside your classroom, but I got…detained.”
Even though Kazlyn knew it was some admiring girl who probably detained him, she didn’t mind, too much. At least he was here now. “I should’ve waited, but I didn’t know if…” She glanced down. He didn’t say anything and when she looked back up those dark eyes sparkled at her.
“I told you I’d see you tomorrow. If I missed you here, I would’ve searched the student center for the office you work in.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Don’t wait for me on Monday and you’ll see.”
She couldn’t help but smile, wishing it wasn’t Friday, so she could see him tomorrow. She turned toward the door. “I’d better get to work.”
“I’ll walk with you.” He reached over and relieved her of her heavy bag.
“Thanks.” Ty’s smile, and the relief of not carrying her bag, made her feel like she was floating.
They exited the door and once again, he shielded her from the canyon breeze with his body. It was such a simple gesture, but made her feel like he cared, like she might be more to him than all the other girls vying for his attention.
They didn’t say much as they hurried through the wind to the student center. Kazlyn exhaled as they entered the warm building, pulling her gloves off and stuffing them in her coat pocket. “I don’t mind the cold that much, but this wind is vicious. I’d rather have it snow.”
“I’d rather have it snow, too. I like the different seasons, where I’m from it’s usually too warm.”
“Where are you from?” She glanced up at him shyly.
“Alabama. You?”
“Montana.”
He responded kindly to some greetings, “Hey, Ty,” and “Great game,” then whirled back to her. “Back up the bus,” he said.
Kazlyn stared at him, confused.
He wrapped his large hand around her smaller one and tugged her out of the flow of people and into a semi-private corner of the large open area on the second floor.
“You just told me where you’re from, but you still won’t tell me your name.”
“It’s not like you’re going to track me to Montana.” She smiled.
He arched his eyebrows. “Try me.”
Kazlyn looked down at their clasped hands, then back up at him.
His grin grew. “You’re letting me hold your hand and still won’t tell me what your name is.”
Kazlyn didn’t deny it or pull away. She wanted to tell him her name, but she liked the way he teased her too much to give in, yet. And she really liked the way his hand felt around hers. “Maybe I’ll tell you my name Monday.”
“You’d better,” he growled.
She laughed.
“How about letting me take you to dinner next weekend?” he asked.
“What’s wrong with this weekend?” She couldn’t believe how much she wanted to go out with Ty. The teenagers at the ballgame last night really made her stop and think; she didn’t want to miss out. She wanted to get to know him—his smile and laugh and feel alive. He did all that for her and she barely knew him. Being around him felt like springtime after a vicious Montana winter.
He chuckled. “I wish it could be this weekend. We fly out for Vegas in a few hours, game tomorrow afternoon.”
“Oh.” Kazlyn already felt the loss. Between studying and Ty not showing up to make her smile, it was going to be a very long weekend.
He stroked his thumb along the back of her hand; tingles started on her skin and worked their way up. She swallowed, trying to control her racing heart.
“What did you think of the game?” He looked like a little boy asking his favorite teacher if he’d done okay on the assignment.
“You were amazing! I couldn’t believe the way you moved. It’s like you know exactly where the ball is going to be and you find it. I’ve never seen someone play basketball that well.” Kazlyn knew she was gushing, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
His smile and the way he gently rubbed her hand made all the gushing worth it. “Thanks. Did the students’ cheers bug you?”
She shrugged. “Some of them were funny, but the one at the end is pretty mean.”
“Winning team, losing team?”
“Yeah.”
“It is, but like I said, these are big boys, they can handle a little teasing.”
“But that still isn’t a reason to be mean. How would Jesus treat the other team?”
He laughed, but it was a friendly sound. “I should’ve known you’d be a Christian.” He squeezed her hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I am, too. And I agree that you shouldn’t belittle or make fun of people. I always try to treat the other team like I’d want to be treated.”
She nodded, relieved he shared her faith. “I noticed when you were shaking hands that quite a few of them hugged you or thumped you on the back.”
“They’re good guys. I know some of them from camps and I’ve played against a few of them for years.”
She glanced at their hands one more time before reluctantly tugging free. “I’ve really got to go. My boss will be wondering what’s going on.”
“Okay.” He handed the bag to her. “Wait for me outside your class Monday?”
“Sure. Good luck this weekend.”
“Thanks.”
Kazlyn walked away, only allowing herself to look back once. Ty watched her. She waved, blushing and wondering if any man had made her feel this way before.
Chapter Four
TY LOVED TRAVELING TO THE warmer climate of Las Vegas and playing at UNLV, especially when they won. Church on Sunday was both inspiring and comforting, but all he could think about was what he would say to Natalya on Monday and what he would do for their date. She looked like an angel with her shiny, blonde hair and the way she seemed to dance as she walked. He loved making her smile. He didn’t know many students who took their studies that seriously. She radiated stress and worry, but she could still be fun and feisty. He wanted to be the one to help her relax and learn how to take a break.
Ty leaned against the wall across from her classroom. Students spilled out. He responded to all of the friendly greetings, but could hardly wait to see Natalya. She was in the middle of the crowd and searching the hallway until she spotted him. Her green eyes lit up and Ty knew he was in trouble. He could fall hard for this girl.
“Ty.” She rushed toward him and gave him a quick hug.
Ty’s world started spinning. He wanted to hold on and never let go, but he didn’t want to scare her away.
“How was the game?” she asked, moving a respectable distance away. Dangit.
“It was great. We won.”
“Congrats! Will you walk with me?”
Ty grinned. “Did you really have to ask?”
“No.” Her rosebud lips turned up. “But I wanted to.”
Oh, he liked that answer. He relieved her of her heavy bag and hung it over his shoulder. “I take it you don’t usually ask men to walk with you?”
She shook her head. “Never any time for men.”
“And wh
y am I so lucky?”
“I don’t know, you’re just special. Maybe I have a thing for giraffe legs.”
He chuckled and opened the door for her, moving into position to shield her from the wind. The cold rushed down his collar and made his hair stand on end, but it was worth it to protect her. “Special as in there’s something wrong with me and you don’t want to make me feel bad, or special as in you might kind of like me?”
She tilted her head up and her smile made his steps falter. He had to move quickly to stay by her side.
“Maybe the latter, but I wouldn’t want it to go to your head.”
“Ah, there is that problem.” He laughed.
“Yes, but I’m going to work with you, remember?”
He wrapped his hand around hers. “I can’t wait.”
She didn’t pull her hand away and Ty was pretty sure, life couldn’t get any better. Maybe warmer, but not better. They climbed the stairs, entered the student center, and she still had her hand in his. Ty ignored the looks from other students. He’d dated a lot the first couple of years of college, letting the fame and all the female interest go to his head. But he had eventually realized most women didn’t care about getting to know him or developing more than a superficial relationship, they only wanted to be with him because he was a basketball star. He hadn’t gone out very often the past year and a half, focusing on his schooling and basketball. But Natalya was different, he hoped.
“Do you think you could tell me your name now?” he asked.
“Full name or just first name?” Natalya tilted her head up to look at him.
“Full name would be nice. We are going out on Friday.”
“About that…”
The pause about did Ty in. She was going to back out. Panic filled him as he started organizing arguments to convince her to go.
She grinned. “I can’t wait.”
Ty caught a full breath again and pulled her next to the wall away from the flow of students. “That was cruel. Now you have to tell me everything—first, middle, and last name. Names of parents, siblings, I want it all.”
She tapped her hand playfully on his chest. “If I tell all what will we talk about on our date?”
“We’ll think of something,” he growled at her, trying to remain stern when being so close to her made him feel like he’d just run sprints.
“Kazlyn Jane Schmidt. Parents are Blake and Rebecca. Two brothers, Luke and Porter.”
Ty squeezed her hand, wishing he could pull her closer, but aware there were people watching them. “Kazlyn. I like it. Can I call you Kazzy?”
She shrugged. “You can call me anything you want to.”
“Hey.” He chuckled. “I’ve heard that line before.”
“Was it just a line?” She looked up at him shyly and if they’d been alone he would’ve kissed her right then.
“Definitely not. I’d never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I was trying anything I could think of to get you to like me.”
“It almost backfired.”
“But it didn’t?” His chest tightened at the thought.
“I don’t know. We’ll see how Friday goes.” She smiled coyly, took her bag from his shoulder, and walked away from him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kazzy,” he called.
“I’d be sad if you didn’t.”
Ty couldn’t help tapping his own chest with his fist as he watched her walk away. He was in a lot of trouble.
***
He walked her to work every day that week, but on Friday he noticed she wasn’t teasing and laughing like usual. They were almost to their usual parting spot when he asked, “Is everything okay?”
She gave him a small smile. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to pull it off this semester.”
“Pull what off?”
“I have an interesting scholarship. It’s privately funded and to keep it I have to be above a three-eight. If I didn’t have so many classes per semester it wouldn’t be so hard. I took a lot of A.P. classes in high school and planned it out so I can cram the rest of my bachelor’s degree into two years. The scholarship lasts for four years so my master’s program would be covered. If I can keep my grades up.”
Ty nodded his understanding. “That’s a lot to worry about. How can I help?”
She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “Thanks for not just reassuring me that it will all work out, telling me I’m smart or something empty like that.”
“Sure.”
“I just need to do it myself. Next week is finals, so I guess we’ll see then.”
“Are you still okay to go tonight?” He held his breath. If she said no, he’d have to respect that, but he’d been looking forward to this all week. He wanted more time with her than a short walk from class.
She smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’ll pick you up at your apartment at six.”
“Okay.” She took her bag and turned to go, looking less burdened.
“Kazzy.”
“Yeah?” She glanced over her shoulder at him.
“You’re smart, it’ll all work out.”
She laughed so loud, she snorted. Ty chuckled with her. Several students eyed them strangely, but more smiled along with them.
“See you tonight,” she said, walking away with her shoulders still shaking from laughter.
Ty watched her go, wishing he could take away her stress, but understanding how it was to know that all your dreams of success were determined by scholarships that may or may not be there the next semester.
Chapter Five
COMPLETE AND UTTER SILENCE welcomed Kazlyn into the living area of her apartment a few minutes before six, Friday night.
Finally one of her roommate’s boyfriends whistled and then everybody started talking and exclaiming at once.
“Kazlyn, you look gorgeous!”
“Kazlyn, I’ve never seen you with lipstick on.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Please tell me it’s a guy, you’ve got to wonder.”
Kazlyn smoothed the silky, floral-patterned shirt that topped her favorite skinny jeans. Jeans she hadn’t worn in a year because she rarely dressed up. “Okay, whoever wondered if it’s a guy is going to get their butt kicked.”
Everyone started laughing. Kazlyn really did enjoy her roommates, but they were in a different world than her. All five of them had various boys over almost every night. It was always a party. Only Sheryl had a part-time job, the rest of them were completely financed by mom and dad. Kazlyn never participated in their fun as she spent most of her life at the library, only taking occasional breaks to exercise or eat.
A knock sounded at the door and Kazlyn’s palms started sweating. What would her roommates and their guys think of the school hero taking her out? What would Ty think of her all dolled up?
Jaileen rushed to open the door. Her jaw dropped and for the first time since Kazlyn had met her, Jaileen was speechless. Kazlyn looked around her roommate to see Ty dressed in a grey button-down shirt and jeans that really worked for him. With his characteristic grin decorating his face and his dark eyes sparkling, she was speechless, as well.
The rest of the room erupted into sound.
“Tyrese, Kazlyn is going out with Tyrese.”
“Holy crap, girl, when you decide to date, you do it right!”
The boys were more subtle, a couple of them shaking Ty’s hand and congratulating him on his latest game. Kazlyn quickly grabbed her coat and hurried to the door. “We’ll see you all later,” she said as she reached for Ty’s hand.
Ty’s large hand engulfed hers. “Nice to see y’all,” he said.
“You, too.”
“We won’t wait up.”
“Have fun!”
Kazlyn speed-walked away from the open door, dragging him with her.
“It was nice to meet all of your roommates.”
Kazlyn laughed. “I would not have done that to you.”
“
Are they crazies?”
“No, they’re great. There are just so many of them and they would’ve kept you there all night drooling over you.”
“Speaking of drooling.” He squeezed her hand. “You look amazing.”
Kazlyn glanced all the way up to his handsome face. “You, too.”
He helped her into her coat. His hands brushed her arms, sending tingles throughout her body. He held open the exterior door and gestured to the parking lot. Parked in the visitor space was the ugliest Toyota pickup Kazlyn had ever seen. The rust spots had overtaken the blue paint and the front bumper sagged in the middle like a sad smile. Ty walked her to it and opened the passenger door. Kazlyn stared at the truck, then at him. “How in the world do you fit in this thing?”
“Ha! I’m not that big, you’re just teeny-tiny.”
“Five-six is not teeny-tiny. You just think I’m small because you’re enormous.”
“Once again, glad I’m so attractive to you.”
If you only knew. “That wasn’t what I meant. Seriously, how do you fit?”
“Watch and learn, darlin’,” he drawled.
Kazlyn scooted inside the beat-up, but surprisingly clean, truck. Ty shut her door, rushed around the front, and folded his body into the driver’s side. His head brushed the roof and his knees were in his chest. Kazlyn couldn’t help but laugh. “I hope you never drive this more than a few miles.”
He grinned. “I drove it all the way from Alabama four years ago and will be taking it back there after I graduate.”
“How did you survive that drive?”
“I was shorter then.”
She chortled. “Really?”
“No, and it was miserable, but I made it.”
“Maybe you better fly home.”
“Naw. I couldn’t desert the old girl now. My younger sisters need to drive this beauty when they turn sixteen.” He adjusted some knobs and moldy-smelling heat poured out of the vents. “Even the heater works.”
“My condolences to your sisters.”
Christmas in Snow Valley Page 25