Schooling The Quarterback: an m/m college sports romance (GSU), page 3
My alarm blares bright and early, and instead of cussing under my breath like I do most mornings, I kick off my blankets with a smile. Why am I so excited to get out of bed this morning? It can’t possibly be to study for a class that is making me feel like a dumbass. There is a strong possibility it has to do with the world’s cutest tutor. I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to him, but I don’t feel like overthinking it right now.
With an extra pep in my step, I change into some clean clothes, make myself breakfast, and go over the schedule Gabe sent me last night. Not much is changing on my end except meeting with him twice a week and more targeted study sessions. What kind of schedule does Gabe have that he’s able to fit me in so easily? Most students at GSU have part-time jobs, and he has other tutoring students, yet he didn’t push back on any of my currently scheduled activities. Maybe he understands it would be hard for me to change most things.
Hendo walks through the door as I finish my scrambled eggs, looking exhausted. “Why are you home so early?” I question, taking my plate to the sink to wash, dry, and put away.
“Abby and his girlfriend got in a fight at the ass crack of dawn,” he supplies. “Since I was awake, I wasn’t waiting around to find out how it ended.”
I chuckle, and my phone dings, reminding me I need to meet Gabe in thirty minutes.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” he asks, and I look around, wondering who he’s talking to because I’m not smiling that much, am I? “I’m talking to you, Bozo,” he adds.
Shit, I do have a dopy look on my face.
“Just excited to get my life back on track, is all,” I explain with a shrug.
“Suuure…” Hendo draws out, obviously not buying my excuse. “And the sky is pink.”
“It’s blue,” I reply, my brows pulling together.
Hendo shakes his head with a big grin. “It’s a figure of speech. I’m calling you out on your bullshit. There is no way you’re that happy to study.”
“Fine, the tutor is cute, but what’s wrong with having some positive motivation to get to a study session?” I check.
“You gonna ask him out?” he asks.
I tip my head from side to side. “Maybe, but he doesn’t like sports, so I doubt he’ll say yes.”
Hendo gasps. “He doesn’t like sports? Is he an alien?”
I laugh, loving that my friend is thinking exactly like I am.
“I guess not. Did you know there are other things that matter besides sports?” I question, using Gabe’s words from the other day.
My teammate shakes his head. “Impossible. We’ve just got to convert this guy. It could be fun.” The smirk on his face is almost evil, but I like the way he thinks.
“Let me get a read on him first. I don’t need him dropping me because I won’t stop talking about sports.”
Hendo presses his lips together but eventually nods. “Well, if you need any help getting this guy to like sports, let me know.”
“Will do,” I reply, and my phone dings again. “Shit, I’ve got to go. Gabe doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who likes people being late.”
Hendo waves at me, heading to his room as I grab my bag and head out the door.
Time to figure out if Gabe has come up with a plan to get my grades back up and understand this damn class.
CHAPTER FIVE
GABRIEL
Chase walks through the coffee shop’s doors two minutes before ten. His entire face lights up when his eyes land on me, which sends tingles crawling up my arms and down my spine. Why am I reacting like this? I’m sure he smiles that brightly at everyone.
“Mornin’,” he says with a toothy grin, dropping his bag on the floor and pulling out the chair across from mine.
“Good morning,” I reply. “Did you get my text with the updates to your schedule?”
He tips his head while digging through his bag. “I sure did. It looks great to me. I also remembered to bring the stuff I was supposed to last time.”
I take the papers and offer him a smile, which only results in his growing larger. I didn’t know that was possible. How is someone so radiant and happy? Maybe I’m just a cynical person. “Thanks. Why don’t you grab a coffee? Then we’ll start on my plan,” I tell him, reaching into my bag to grab my notes.
While he’s placing his order, I spend a moment taking him in again. He’s wearing a pair of gray sweats that should be illegal for how they make his ass look and a GSU Koala hoodie. When he walks back, it’s going to take everything I have not to let my gaze drop to what has to be an impressive package. His hair is messy like he didn’t put any effort into it, and maybe he didn’t. Either way, it still looks good on him. I wish I had the ability to roll out of bed and look good, but I would scare small children if I didn’t tame my curls.
“So, what’s the game plan?” Chase asks when he gets back with a black coffee. I didn’t know people our age drank black coffee. “Something wrong?” he checks, obviously noticing the way I’m studying his coffee.
I shake my head. “No, I just haven’t seen anyone drink a black coffee that isn’t like my dad’s age.”
Chase chuckles, the sound deep and inviting, making more tingles erupt beneath the surface of my skin. “It’s not so much a preference as it is an avoidance of unnecessary calories,” he supplies. “The athletic team trainer has us on some serious meal plans. Drinking plain black coffee is an easy way to get more things I enjoy in my diet, especially with the way I enjoy my caffeine.”
So he’s a caffeine addict like me, but what college student isn’t?
“That makes sense,” I reply, handing him a practice test. “Would you mind taking this for me so we can obtain a baseline of how much you’re struggling?”
His beautiful smile drops, causing that annoying knot to form inside me like the first time we met. That’s something I need to figure out how to stop.
Chase takes a deep breath as his eyes zero in on the piece of paper in my hand, but he eventually takes it. “I guess that’s a good idea,” he mumbles.
He’s quiet as he works his way through the test. I should be spending this time going over his previous tests and assignments, but I keep casting glances at the jock. Even with his brows pulled together and a pencil in his mouth, he’s still attractive.
He taps on the table when he’s thinking hard about a question. As I figured, the ones giving him the hardest time are about terminology. When he’s finished, I compare his answers to the answer sheet.
“So, how badly did I fail?” he checks when I’ve finished.
I set the paper down before looking into his gorgeous eyes. They are almost pleading for me to give him an answer he’ll appreciate. It’s evident in this moment that I can’t fail him.
“This wasn’t about pass or fail. It’s about getting a baseline,” I remind him. “Just like you told me when we met, the terms are throwing you for a loop. I bet they are even making you second-guess other stuff you know.”
He runs a hand through his dark brown hair, somehow making it look even better as he does it. “I think you’re right, but I don’t know how to gain a better grasp on this.”
“That’s why you hired me,” I explain with an even smile.
Chase stares at me for a moment, almost like he’s studying me, but his grin finally comes back. “So, what’s the plan?”
I hand him the paper I’ve been working on the past few nights. “Think of this like your cheat sheet,” I tell him. “I’ve written down every major term from your class and found a football term to relate to it.”
His brows shoot up, and when he looks at me this time, it’s with an awe-filled expression. “This is fucking brilliant,” he whispers.
I shake my head as my cheeks heat, probably turning the brightest shade of pink. “It was nothing,” I argue. “We’ll still have to go over them often to make sure they stick, but I’m hoping by changing your outlook that eventually things will click.”
His smile is back to the bright and vibrant one he had on his face when he first walked through the doors of the coffee shop. It makes my heart beat a little faster and eases the pit in my stomach. There has to be a way to permanently keep his smile in place.
We spend the next hour going over what his professor currently has him working on and how he can use his new cheat sheet to help him with the project.
“I thought you didn’t like sports,” Chase says when it’s time for us to pack up.
“I don’t,” I confirm, shoving a few things in my bag.
“Then how did you manage to pull this off,” he asks, holding the paper I gave him.
“A lot of research,” I tell him honestly.
“And you did that for me?” His dark, thick brows pull together, obviously not understanding why. But I don’t even know why, so I can’t give him that answer.
“You are paying me,” I remind him.
“Yeah, but I’m not paying you that much. This had to have been a lot of work,” he counters.
I shrug. “It was no biggie,” I lie.
He stares intently into my eyes for a few seconds. It feels like he’s looking into my soul, which is why I glance away and fiddle with my bag.
“Maybe you’re secretly a sports lover,” Chase offers.
I shake my head. “I most definitely am not.”
“Come to the hockey game with me tonight,” he adds.
I look up at him, wondering if this is a joke, but he looks serious. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I asked?” he checks, sounding hopeful.
“I can’t,” I tell him, even though a part of me wants to say yes, which is weird as hell.
Why would I want to go to a hockey game with the football team’s quarterback? Sports people confuse me, and I know absolutely nothing about hockey except that it’s played on ice and the players wear skates.
“Why can’t you?” he asks, not dropping it.
“I have dinner with my nana every Sunday,” I reply, even though I don’t owe him an explanation.
“The game doesn’t start until seven. What time do you have dinner? I could pick you up after you’re done,” he offers.
“Why do you want to take me?” What’s his motive?
“Because I have a goal to convert you into a sports lover,” he tells me with a cocky grin. I’m sure that smile has worked on a lot of people in the past, but I don’t want it working on me. “And I think you’re super cute, so a date with you wouldn’t be a hardship at all.”
I freeze.
Wait… date?
He thinks I’m cute?
What the hell is happening?
“Please don’t turn me down,” he pleads with an adorable pout and the most perfect puppy dog eyes. How the hell am I supposed to say no when he looks like that? “I mean, unless you’re not gay and my gaydar is way off, then by all means, correct me, and I’ll shut my mouth.”
“Your gaydar isn’t off,” I mumble. “But why me? I’m sure you have your pick of people to go out with.” I make sure not to mention gender since I don’t want to assume that he’s gay just because he’s asking me out. He could be bi.
“You’re smart, and you intrigue me. I don’t want anyone else right now. I want you,” he replies, causing my heart to race a mile a minute.
I’m into Chase, or I wouldn’t be putting in the extra effort for him, but I’m apprehensive about dating him. What would we even have in common? I don’t do casual flings, but dating a guy like Chase seems like a recipe for disaster. Even hanging out as friends could be dangerous territory. I need to keep my walls up.
“I can’t tonight,” I repeat.
His smile slips for a second, but it’s quickly back with a cocky tilt to it this time.
“Not tonight doesn’t mean not forever,” he replies, reading between the lines. “I’ll just have to keep asking until you say yes.” With those words, he heads out the door, leaving me dumbfounded.
Is he really going to keep asking me until I say yes?
What happens when I do?
CHAPTER SIX
CHASE
The apartment is quiet when I return from my meeting with Gabe, which doesn’t surprise me. Hendo is most likely still sleeping after being up late last night, and I bet Rio is out for a run. I don’t know how he does it every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good run, but I’m more of a treadmill kind of guy in the winter.
I hang up my coat, then head into the living room, plopping down on the couch to do a little studying before the hockey game tonight. It’s been a tradition for Rio, Hendo, and me to hit up as many hockey games as possible. Considering we are all athletes, it’s not possible to attend every game, but we do our best. Not only to show the team our support but also to cheer on another good friend of ours, Ben Cooper, better known as Coop. He’s the goalie and has been killing it this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they win the championship this year.
After I’m comfortable on the couch, I pull out Gabe’s cheat sheet and study it with a smile. It’s still blowing my mind that he came up with this for me. It must have taken him hours, if not days, to create this. Why would he put that kind of effort into it? If he hadn’t shot me down, I would have considered maybe he liked me, but that’s doubtful now.
I give my head a shake because, honestly, it doesn’t matter. What matters is I have a tool at my fingertips that will hopefully help me pass this class.
My thoughts drift to Gabe while I study, and I consider reaching out, even though I’m not struggling as badly as I normally do. I kind of just want to talk to him, but that might be weird, so I push down the desire, keeping my focus on my work.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been studying when the door swings open, and Rio appears, dripping in sweat but with a contented grin.
“Good run?” I check.
He nods. “You should come with me sometime,” he encourages, knowing full well what my answer will be.
“Hard pass until the weather warms up. I’ll run on the treadmill tomorrow.”
He chuckles, kicks off his runners, and disappears into his room, emerging a moment later with a change of clothes in his arms.
“Are we still on for the game tonight?” he asks, leaning against the wall.
I nod. “Coop would kill us if we missed tonight. Our appearance has become a lucky ritual for him. I don’t want to be the one to jinx the team when they are on a hot streak.”
Rio chuckles, but all of us sports guys are the same with our superstitions.
“Perfect. Want to grab dinner beforehand?”
“Sounds good to me,” I reply. “I’ll wake Hendo while you shower.”
He tips his head in acknowledgment, then heads into the bathroom.
Stretching my arms above my head, I push myself up and make my way to the kitchen for a few ice cubes. Nothing says rise and shine like a brisk wake-up.
With the ice in my hand, I head to Hendo’s room, opening the door as quietly as possible. My lips twitch to find him passed out solid. You’d think a stupid prank like this would get old, but it never does. An enthusiastic energy races through my veins while I tiptoe across the floor. Once I’m at the edge of his bed, I carefully peel back his blankets, lift his boxers, and drop the ice cubes inside. With lightning speed, I bolt out of his room. His screams echo off the walls and sound more like a teenage girl than a twenty-year-old guy. I narrowly miss the pillow he throws at me, but that doesn’t stop my roaring laughter as he calls me every name under the sun. Moments like this never cease to bring a smile to my face, but I will definitely have to watch my back for the next couple of days. Payback is a bitch but worth it.
“Now that you’re awake, Rio and I were wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before the hockey game,” I inquire from the doorway.
Hendo sighs dramatically but eventually mumbles an agreement, so I leave him to get dressed.
It’s going to take my roommates a little while to get ready, so I settle on the couch again, picking my studying back up. There is a small bit of hope that pushes the dread I had for this course out of my chest. Fingers crossed, I’ll finally get the hang of things and pass the class with the bare minimum grade I need.
“What’s with the intense face?” Hendo asks before sitting beside me.
“Just trying to study with this new guide my tutor made me,” I reply, showing him the sheet Gabe created.
“Damn,” Hendo mutters. “This must have taken some serious effort. Didn’t you say he wasn’t a sports guy?”
“He isn’t. Apparently, he just did a lot of research.”
Hendo gives me a skeptical look. “Are you sucking his dick already?”
I choke out a laugh and shake my head. “Nah, man, it’s not like that. And believe me, I would know. I invited him to the game tonight, but he told me no.”
It’s Hendo’s turn to laugh. “That must be a first for you.”
“It is,” I admit begrudgingly.
“Then why did the guy make that sheet for you?” he questions. “Are you paying him a shit ton of money?”
“Not more than what most people charge,” I tell him.
He hums in acknowledgment but still looks confused.
“I think he’s just a nice guy,” I say after a moment.
Hendo lifts a shoulder. “Or… he’s into you.”
“If he was into me, why wouldn’t he agree to come to the game tonight?” I counter. Obviously, he had other plans, but if he wanted me, you’d think he would have offered to come another time.
“Because he’s not a sports guy,” he reminds me. “Maybe you have to find something he likes first, then invite him to a game.”
I ponder his suggestion for a minute, then Rio comes out of the bathroom.
“I’m starved. Are we ready to go?” he asks.
Hendo and I nod, then we all move to get our coats on before heading out to one of our favorite restaurants.
Dinner is quick and filled with chatter about sports and the usual stuff. As soon as our bill is paid, we make our way to the arena, ready to cheer our friends on.
