Page 36 of Away Game

Each move was purposeful so he wouldn’t touch me. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was afraid of what I’d do if he touched me or what he’d do. Finally, after several moments, West took a step back.

I looked down at myself and had to laugh. I looked like an idiot with athletic shorts on and West’s short-sleeve button-down shirt.

“What?” West asked with amusement in his tone.

“Don’t act like you don’t know. Look at me.” I used my good arm to indicate my appearance. “If it wasn’t such a pain in the ass, I’d change into jeans, but at this point, I don’t care.”

“If you don’t care, I don’t care either. Now, what do you say we head to class?”

Picking up my backpack, I put it over my good shoulder and then stuffed my phone in my back pocket. Last, I grabbed my keys and threw them in West’s direction. “Do you think you can drive my Rover and not wreck it?”

Catching the keys, West rolled his eyes at me but smiled. “Despite what my truck looks like, I’ve never been in a wreck in my life, so your baby is safe with me.”

I thought about correcting him, but in the end, I saw no point. I normally didn’t give a shit about my car, except it got me where I needed to go and after the phone call from my father after my game, I knew I’d never get anything from him again. I wasn’t even sure if he’d be paying for next semester at Willow Bay University, so I couldn’t risk my only transportation.

“If you fuck up my car, I’ll kick your ass,” I threatened, trying to bring us back to our usual.

“I’d like to see you try.” He flashed his fucking perfect smile at me.

Pushing down the way his flash of teeth made me feel, I shoved my feet into a pair of sneakers and headed out. West picked up his backpack that was set by the stairs and made his way down to my car. I swore I saw him pause by the passenger door. If he thought I couldn’t open the goddamn door by myself, I really was going to lay into him. I wasn’t an invalid.

My first class of the day was with West. Still, we didn’t speak as he drove us and then walked to the building Mr. Randall’s class was in. I wasn’t sure how none of my friends were in any of my classes, but West managed to be in three out of the five. I guess I was unlucky like that.

Again, West paused as if he was about to help me but thought better of it. I continued to make my way to the top of the stairs and sat down by myself. When anyone attempted to sit by me, I gave them the fuck you vibe so I’d be left alone.

Once class was over, I turned in my assignment that was due with a smile on my face when I saw the shocked look on Mr. Randall’s face. He must have thought I wasn’t going to show up or turn in my work. Fuck him. I wasn’t stupid. I wasn’t one of those jocks who always had someone else doing his work and could barely read. Every grade I got was from my work and my work alone.

West was leaning on the wall outside of class when I came out. I didn’t bother looking his way. Instead, I kept walking in the quest for coffee. Luckily, there was a Starbucks in the library next door.

I tried to pull out my wallet, but with my backpack on my good shoulder, I realized I needed to drop my bag just to be able to get my money. Of course, not even getting coffee could be simple.

Shrugging off my backpack and dropping it to the ground, I paid for my large coffee. Dipping down to pick up my bag, I noticed it was gone. I was about to go off and kick someone’s ass for stealing my shit when I found West standing behind me holding my bag.

Handing it over, he asked. “Do you need any help between now and our next class together?”

Fuck this guy. Why was he so damn nice? Especially to me.

“I’m good,” I answered back as nicely as I could, which didn’t come out very nice at all. Hell, I was trying even if I didn’t know why.

He held out a piece of paper until I took it from him. “If you need anything, call or text me. Otherwise, I’ll see you in class.”

All I could do is give him a chin nod. Every time West was nice to me, it astounded me. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad having him as a friend. The only problem was I knew if I spent more time with West, I would only continue to see how amazing he was, and I’d want more.

For the rest of the day, those thoughts continued to run through my head. The guys all liked West, and Oz was constantly wondering why I hated him so much. Of course, I couldn’t tell him it was because what I really wanted to do when West was near me was to kiss him until we were both breathless.

Instead of waiting for me outside of class, I found West leaning against my car while looking down at his phone. Maybe it was his boyfriend. “Are you ready to go home? I can drop you and your car off before I head to practice.”

He had to remind me; I was the only one who wouldn’t be at practice today, tomorrow, or the next day. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be back this season.

“Do you think we can pick up something to eat? I really don’t want to have to make myself anything.” Plus, there was no point in me eating healthy if I wasn’t training or playing. All my hard work since arriving was for nothing, and I was going to gorge myself with food to forget about it.

“The only place that’s close is the bar or that barbecue joint. Did you—”

“Take me to get ribs,” I muttered as I started to make a takeout order on my phone.

“You know,” West drew out the words and then paused until I looked up from my phone. “Do you know how I started to get the same meal package brought to the house as you and Oz?”

Going back to my phone, I answered. “You paid for it.”

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