Page 33 of The Assist
“Ever consider locking the door?” He throws back.
Blair scoots off the bed. “He’s all yours. I have to finish a paper tonight anyway.”
Joel backs out of the room, leaving me alone with this girl who has my head spinning. I half-hoped kissing her would cure my interest, prove that she was just like any girl, but it didn’t. I want to do it again.
“Sorry about Joel.”
“It’s fine.” She waves me off. “I really should get going.”
I shove my hands deep into my pockets. “Okay.”
I walk her downstairs and past the noise of the party forming out back.
She stops just outside the door and peers back at me. “So, I’ll see you in class tomorrow?”
“Actually, no. I’m getting the boot off late tomorrow morning. Professor O’Sean is letting me come in during his early office hours to take the test.”
“There goes my idea of cheating off you.”
I chuckle and run a hand through my hair. “After that stunt you pulled on the court Sunday, I wouldn’t put it past you, but you don’t need it. You’re ready.”
“I hope so. I need to pass this class. No, I need an A in this class.”
“I’ll get you your A.”
And I know I will. I’ve taken on her grade the same way I’ve taken on Zeke’s first round pick. I don’t know what it means or even why, but I can see the possible outcomes, and I know the probability of walking away is the least likely of them all.
13
Blair
When I arriveat class the next morning, I take the seat in front of Joel and Zeke and wordlessly hand them the muffins and coffees I grabbed from the café. They both turn the cups straight to the quotes and smile.
Professor O’Sean walks up the stairs to begin passing out the tests, so I offer them a nervous smile and wait, tapping my pencil against the desk and praying that I’ve retained some of the knowledge that came out of Wes’s beautiful mouth. Thoughts of his mouth lead to dissecting the kiss that still burns my lips, which is pretty much all I’ve been doing since it happened.
The first person stands and takes their completed test to the front with five minutes remaining. O’Sean’s tests are no joke—long and arduous. A minute later the room becomes a hub of energy as the whole class finishes or maybe just gives up. I wait for the last possible minute, going over each question, re-thinking my answer, and ultimately changing nothing. I know this stuff.
Joel and Z wait for me just outside the classroom.
“Longest test ever,” Joel mutters.
I nod as Zeke elbows Joel and points behind me.
“I’ll be damned. He’s back!” I hear Joel and Z share their excitement with some sort of hand clapping, but as soon as I look over my shoulder, it all becomes background noise. Wes is walking toward us. The off balanced gait I’ve grown accustomed to in such a short time is replaced with a strong, sleek elegance.
“Hey, how’d it go?” he asks, a genuine smile filled with trepidation like he’s afraid I’ve failed and his tutoring didn’t help.
I’m very aware that his eyes rest solely on me. “Good. I think.”
He wraps his arms around me, taking me completely by surprise. “Knew you could do it,” he mumbles and then just when I’m about to swoon from the feel of his hard body wrapped around mine, he ruffles my hair like a big brother might do to his annoying little sister.
He pulls back quickly and steps toward the guys.
“You’re back?” Joel asks looking down at his foot. “Please tell me you’re back.”
Wes’s face lights up as he does a little dance side to side. “I’m back, baby.”
Z grabs Wes in a bear hug and then pulls back. “With me.” He lifts his hand up to his head. “Without me.” He drops the hand to his waist. “With me,” Z repeats and smiles as he lifts his hand back up.
