Page 11 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
Gavin nods, catching the ball effortlessly with his massive hands. His tank top shifts as he reaches up, revealing even more of his sculpted chest. "Yeah, we've come a long way. It's nice not just to be a bunch of white dudes anymore. Change is happening."
He flashes that easy smile of his, the one that makes everyone around him feel instantly comfortable. "And it's about damn time if you ask me. Some of the alumni still give us shit about it, but they can stay stuck in the past if they want."
Gavin jogs backward with that smile of his and throws the ball my way again. I don't think he realizes I'm trying to have a real conversation here.
“C’mon, man! Show me what you got!” Gavin teases,spinning the ball with a cheeky grin as he prepares to throw it back.
Shaking my head, a smile creeps onto my face. “Yeah, if by 'show me what you got' you mean embarrassing myself, then absolutely!”
"So, how does it feel to be a free man?" Gavin asks, tossing the ball my way with a playful spin. "You ready to get back out there? You're finally free from Cher, so let's go out looking tonight."
Catching the ball, I chuckle. "Yeah, it feels good. You know I'd never badmouth a woman, but her and I were just not gonna work." I spin the football in my hands, feeling the familiar texture against my fingertips. It's weird how breakups can be simultaneously crushing and liberating.
Eight months with Cher had felt like treading water, not terrible, but not going anywhere. "I think we both knew it was coming. She's still pissed at me, I think, but she deserves someone who's all in, you know? And I just... wasn't."
Gavin chuckles, a snort escaping as he rolls his eyes. "Bro, you hadn’t been happy with her in forever. Better off single than bummed and fighting with your woman all the time. So c'mon. Let's go out after the scare house tonight and find you your next woman. You’ve got the whole campus at your feet. What’s holding you back?”
After a moment, I shift the football in my hands, taking a breath. "Honestly, I've been thinking a lot since the breakup. It's kind of weird being single." The leather feels rough beneath my fingertips.
Gavin slows his throw, looking at me with a knowing gaze. "Do you want to talk about it?" His eyes narrow slightly, and I can tell he's doing that thing where he sees more than he lets on. For all the guys' jokes about him beingjust muscle, Gavin's always been the one who notices when something's up.
My lungs draw in a slow breath as the mental carousel spins too fast to jump off. I’m nervous, but I know I need to spit it out. Gavin has been my best friend since we first pledged. “There’s this… um… nursing student I’ve been… kind of noticing.”
"Oh?" Gavin raises an eyebrow, his hands stilling on the football. "Wait, the nursing student? The one you've been doing those random detours for?" He grins. "Spill it."
A flutter of anxiety twists in my stomach. I rub the back of my neck, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. "He's in the nursing program. He's really cute and nice and, yeah. I might always look for him when I walk around campus."
I hesitate before adding, "I've been taking the long way to Poli-Sci just to pass by the Health Sciences building. Pathetic, right?" My voice comes out smaller than I intended, and I can feel my heart hammering against my ribs as the words hang between us.
Gavin blinks at me a few times, confusion flickering across his features momentarily. “Wait, you mean an actual guy? He pauses, and I hold my breath, watching him figure out exactly what I'm saying.
My Adam's apple bobs as I swallow, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. “I’m not stalking or anything! I just see him around, and he seems really happy and kind to everyone. I’ve been thinking about how nice it would be to meet him. He’s out and proud, and people like him.”
“Okay, you do mean a guy, and he's a nursing student?” Gavin still looks confused, but then his face lights up with excitement. “Okay. Bro, that’s awesome!” A giant grin splits his face, and his eyes shine with enthusiasm. “He’s a nursingstudent? That’s seriously fucking awesome! You should definitely go for it!”
Catching the football mid-air, my heart racing as I realize how nerve-wracking this moment is. “I don’t know… what if the frat doesn't like it? I mean, I’m still figuring this out, and I don't know what to say to anybody.”
Gavin leans back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Dude, no one is gonna give you a hard time about this. The house is full of good guys. Remember Nate, who graded last year? He was sneaking dudes out of his room all the time. It was the worst-kept secret in the house, but no one cared!”
“Really? I didn't know that.”
“Yeah! No one said boo to him, and you can bet no one will have a problem if you want to date a guy,” Gavin assures me with a wide grin. “Trust me, you’ve got the whole frat backing you.”
Relief floods through me. "You're right. I gotta stop overthinking this stuff."
"Exactly!" Gavin grins widely, throwing the ball back. "You've got this, Ty. Just imagine how cool it would be to have a cute nursing student as your boyfriend!"
Laughter bubbles up from my chest; it feels like a huge weight has been lifted. "Dude, he's adorable. Kinda short, but I like it. He's got these amazing eyes that just... I don't know, they pull you in." I run a hand through my hair, feeling slightly embarrassed by my own enthusiasm. "I overheard one of his friends calling him 'Ethan' when they were leaving the Health Sciences building. Been stuck in my head ever since."
I shake my head, still grinning. "I want to pick him up and go somewhere to talk, but I know you just can't do that. That's not how normalpeople flirt, right?"
Gavin spits out the water he is drinking, sending a spray across the grass as he doubles over, laughing at me. His reaction is so over the top I can't help but chuckle, too, even though I'm the butt of the joke.
"No, you definitely can't just walk up and pick up the guy," he wheezes, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Well… maybe you can. I don't know. Maybe try saying hi first. You know, have a conversation before you carry him off into the sunset like some romance novel hero."
"Alright, I think I can do this. Just gotta find the right time.”
Gavin slaps my shoulder, looking super sure of himself. “I’ll be your wingman if ya want me to be." A confused look passes over his face. "I mean, it can't be that different getting your best friend laid by a guy instead of a girl, can it?”
