Page 9 of Side Out

My phone vibrates in my hand for real this time, and I mindlessly look down. A blanket of dread envelopes me when I see who’s name is on the screen.

Bridget

I’ll see you tonight at the hockey rink.

I’ve gone through multiple other sports’ season openers and countless practices so far this year, and now that it’s October, several of the teams are well into their seasons. Not once has Bridget shown her face on campus, let alone at an actual game. But, of course, the first one she decides to make an appearance at just so happens to be the first time I see Jax other than staring at him through my front window, getting out of his car, or walking into school behind him.

Fuck, am I stalking a student?

Nope. No. The answer is no. I want to make sure he makes it here safely. That’s all. Plus, I only do that two days a week when he has early classes.

Shit. I know his schedule. I shouldn’t know his schedule…

Jackson’s voice pulls me from my inward spiral. “The pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Young.” I can’t help but suck in a breath at him calling me “Mr. Young.” It shouldn’t send a jolt of electricity to my cock… but it does.

My mind drifts back to Bridget’s text. I know worry is lining my face, and confusion covers Jackson’s, but I can’t do this with him.

My voice comes out gruff. “We can’t do this here.”

I shouldn’t have added “here” because we can’t be doing this period.

Not on campus.

Not in the sports complex before a season opener.

Not at all.

Period.

Jax murmurs under his breath, “This explains the running off that night…”

And with that, I spin on my heel and do what I’ve done every time I’m face to face with Jackson Baker.

What I do best.

I run.

Show up - Landon Tewers, Waynewood, JavyDade

CHAPTER6

HOT FOR… ATHLETIC TRAINER?

JACKSON

There are five things I’m acutely aware of right now.

One: Theo is on campus. Two: Not only is he on campus, he’s on a part of campus that’s restricted to athletes and staff. Three: He definitely had on a Palm University polo… typically reserved for…staff.Four: I would bet my right fucking knee that as soon as he saw me, he thought about that night on my porch. Which would explain why I’ve caught him repeatedly staring at me out his living room window. And why he’s been following me around campus. And why he just ran from me like his ass is on fire. And five: His ass looked fucking delicious in those khakis.

* * *

Emerson’s team won their season opener four to two. And considering my baby brother is only a sophomore playing on the third line, he gave it his all. I’d be willing to bet anything that both he and Dominic will be starting players next year. They both have worked too hard and are too good not to be.

But despite how impressed I was with Emerson’s defensive skills, my eyes kept wandering tohim. He’s an athletic trainer.

Theodore Young, my neighbor, the man I made out with on my front porch, is an athletic trainer atmyschool.

I’m not sure if that makes me incredibly lucky or incredibly unlucky.

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