Page 2 of Punt My Life

“Wait!” Maddox says, reaching over to grab my wrist when I shove my notebook inside my backpack. He jerks his hand back like he felt the same electric shock I did when our skin touched. “What are you doing? Our session isn’t over until six.” He looks at the clock on the wall behind me.

“Yeah,” I reply irritably. “But I’m only here to tutor athletes that are serious about improving their grades. Since you’re not, I’ll remove you from the list and move on to the next in line.” I zip my backpack and sling it over my shoulder as I step around the table.

Maddox jumps from his seat and steps in front of me before I can make it to the door. His eyes trail my body and if I didn’t know better, I’d think they were full of arousal. But I do know better. Maddox Campbell is only attracted to the Barbies that compliment his Ken doll physique and I’m the furthest thing from a Barbie he has probably ever seen.

When I attempt to sidestep him, he steps with me to block my path. “I am serious,” he says with a smirk that I’m sure has gained him access into more panties than I own. “I’m really sorry about being late. Can we just finish the session before you…move on to the next in line?”

I fight the grin trying to break free as he mocks my tone with the last part of his question. Most girls would fall all over themselves to have that smirk pointed in their direction. But I am NOT that kind of girl. No matter how adorable his dimpled smile is.

“Fine,” I huff out. “But this is your one and only warning, Maddox. I value my time and my job. I’m not here to waste them…and I won’t let you waste them, either.”

Maddox

Fuuuuck.I feel my cock knock at the zipper of my jeans when she sneers my name. Where has this hellcat been my whole life? Most girls are ready to fall to their knees when I flash my smile at them. But not…shit, I don’t even know her name. I didn’t pay attention to the email I received with the information except for the time and place.

She offered me an early out and I would have gladly accepted it rather than spending the hour studying shit I don’t really care about. But the thought of her moving on to the next in line had me thinking about the other players that are signed up for this program and I’ll be damned if they get to her before I do.

What the hell am I talking about?It’s not like this is a hookup competition. She’s just a tutor. But after meeting her, I’m determined to be her best student.

I reach my hand out and wrap it around the strap of her backpack, pulling it from her shoulder. “I won’t be a waste. I promise. I think we got off on the wrong foot.” I flash my smile at her, hoping to gain her reaction.Nothing. “I’m Maddox,” I say, extending my hand.

She eyes me suspiciously before taking my hand. “Alexis Stone.”Damn, even her name is sexy…sexy Lexi.“Excuse me?” She furrows her brows as she pulls her hand from mine.Damn. Did I say that out loud?

“Lexi.” I grin. “It’s short for Alexis, right?”

“My name is A-lex-is.” She enunciates each syllable. “And we only have thirty minutes left. Get your notes out and we’ll go over as much as we can before six.” She walks back around the table and takes her seat.

I spend the next half-hour listening to her advice on improving my interpretation of the notes from my English Lit class. She seems to really understand the subject and it has me wanting to pay more attention just to impress her.

I’ve never had totryto impress a girl before. They usually just want to jump me because of my position on the football team. She doesn't seem affected by my physical charm or team status in the least. It’s kind of nice to be challenged for a change.

When her phone chimes at six—announcing that our time is up—I’m disappointed that I was late getting here. I don’t want to leave. Her insight makes me excited to learn more about something that I didn’t think I cared about.

“Well, you made it through the first session.” She smiles and it’s the first genuine expression I’ve seen on her face.I want to see more.

“But I was late and didn’t get the full hour.” I give her my best pout face.

“That’s your fault.” She shrugs. “My contact info is in the email with your tutoring schedule if you have any other questions. Otherwise, I’ll see you next week to prep for your English exam.”

I nod as I stand and take my time packing my backpack. She flips the page in her notebook and ignores me as I lift my bag onto my shoulder.

“See ya next week…Lexi,” I say, winking at her when her eyes flash to mine with annoyance.

When my teammate, Dirk Sheppard, passes me on the way to the room I just left, I decide to hang around the library for the next hour.

Chapter 3

Alexis

Mynewjobhasbeen much better than I thought it would be. Most of the students just want to get their hour session over with so they can get back to their regularly scheduled bullshit life. After a few were dropped for lack of participation, there are only two left in the program who I dread seeing…for opposite reasons.

Dirk Sheppard still gives me the creeps with his leering eyes, but thankfully he’s kept his hands and his comments to himself since our first session. I’m not sure if that’s due to my threat to report his behavior that first day or the heated conversation I witnessed between him and Maddox when they passed each other in the library the following week.

Maddox has become the highlight and bane of my sessions. He’s constantly joking and trying to get me to laugh. I’ve never found it so difficult to maintain my resting bitch face, but his enthusiastic personality is almost infectious, andhisleering eyes don't give me the creeps…they make me hot. Whenever he finds an excuse to touch me—whether it’s a high five for getting an answer correct or a hand on my arm to stop me from stomping out of the room when I’ve had enough of his antics—I feel it all the way to the pit in my stomach that’s becoming a constant ache in his presence.

I’ve refused his offer to go out every week. I’m not here to make friends and I have no illusion that he’s actually attracted to me. I’m not his type. I’m not a bubbly cheerleader or sorority girl. If I’m being honest, it almost feels like he’s making fun of me. But he seems so genuine, I can’t be sure. He excites me and infuriates me at the same time.

Thankfully, I haven’t had to worry about it these past two weeks since it’s Winter Break. Three blissful weeks without classes, work, or peopling. Other than the visit to my parents’ house two towns over for Christmas, I’ve spent the break alone in my dorm room.

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