Chapter 7
I t was for the best. The mantra needed to be on a t-shirt, mug, and sticker. I was an idiot to fall for Tripp. For believing that maybe a little part of him was falling, too. Another mistake and this was all my fault.
Logic and hypothetical ruminations take up space in my brain to soothe my bruised heart. My grad school applications could take me anywhere in the world. Supposedly, Tripp is destined for Seattle, that he had already signed to play for a pro-team. So it wouldn’t have worked out. His last real relationship went to ruins because of distance. There was so much going on in my life and there were several opportunities in my future.
Tripp said he wasn’t the type to have a girlfriend. Wasn’t the guy that was going to be tamed, especially when he started playing professionally? That was okay and what I wanted and felt was okay. A hiccup and another hard lesson. Right?
Logic and hypothetical ruminations can only do so much.
The few weeks of hard focus and taking on extra tutors have also helped for my grades, bank account, and my soul. Tripp lives in the periphery of my sight. At least, I try to keep him there.
It wasn’t possible to avoid him all together. It was hard to see him. Flirting constantly with girls, especially our co-workers. Tripp is at the other end of the Tutor Center. Sitting on the desk, looking up at a girl with his charming smile. The same one I had grown used to.
Shifting in my seat, I turn to avoid looking at them. Trying to focus on my homework. My phone blows up from Elena, asking if I’m interested in extra tickets to a concert.
“Hey Z!” George moves next to me, sitting down on the desk. I look up, seeing him smiling down at me.
“You are the only person I know that is going to appreciate this,” George says, wide-eyed.
“I did it,” he laughs manically.
“What?” I lean back, looking up at him like he’s lost his mind.
“My secret project!” The energy makes me grin as he moves in front of me.
“You finally going to tell me what it is?” I ask.
“I built a life-sized trebuchet!” George gesticulates as he goes off on his specs before finally asking. “Wanna check it out? I’ll even let you launch something. Maybe that asshole ex of yours.”
“You’re serious?” Highly amused, he whips out his cellphone, showing me pictures. Confirming it can definitely launch humans easily.
“Holy cow, you did it!” I am actually impressed.
“I’m having some friends over later. You should come.” George winks.
When I search his face, I know he’s sort of asking me out. In a safe way, in a way that doesn’t have that nervous pressure when someone asks you out.
“Sure,” I say, bestowing him a smile. George grins widely.
“Perfect. I’ll text you the details.”
George’s student shows up, and he disappears into one of the private stalls.
I turn back to my homework, and put my headphones on. My eighties playlist is helping me focus. It isn’t long until I sense someone taking a seat across from me.
“Z.” Tripp’s green eyes lock on my face and I nearly flinch. My heart flutters and I break into a sweat.
“Hey, Tripp.” Bring on the nerves and face him head-on.
“How are you?” he starts carefully.
“Good, and you?” I’m wondering where this is going. What is the point and where is the girl he was just with? Tripp glances hard at George and his student. George is enthusiastically writing things on the board.
“Do you need something?”
Tripp’s jaw hardens, and his eyes narrow. “Don’t you miss me just a little?”
At that moment, my comprehension is slow. Wondering if I need to get my hearing checked. Tripp bursts out laughing, “Don’t answer that.”
Whatever his game is right now, I’m too tired to play.
“It’s good to see you, Tripp, but seriously. Do you need something?” He senses I have no humor left for him.
“I kind of miss getting my ass kicked by you.” Tripp leans in. I can’t tell if he’s being serious right now.
“It is what it is, Tripp.” I sigh. “We’re moving on.”
“With George, I see.” He raises a brow, making a face.
“Maybe,” I reply.
Tripp frowns. “Seriously?”
“Why not?” I shrug, refusing to believe that he cares.
“Let’s hope he’s not a shit head like Eddie.” Tripp chuckles.
“I mean, he already isn’t. He has a trebuchet.”
“Z, you don’t get starry-eyed for a guy who has a siege weapon,” Tripp tsks.
“Maybe I want to get sieged by his,” I quip.
Tripp chuckles hollowly, but his smile doesn’t meet his eyes. “There is my little viper.”
“It’s good to see you, Tripp,” I say sincerely, glad that my next student arrives to end this conversation.
Tripp moves away. I can still feel his gaze as I settle in the private room with my student. Maybe one day, the feelings will be nothing but a memory and we’ll laugh at the past. In my heart, I doubt it. One day we’ll be flung to different parts of the Earth, lost to the flow of life. As my student works on practice problems, the thought saddens me. More than it should.
* * *
One hangout with George eventually turns into a couple of dates with George. He’s kind, and he’s gentle. Most of all, he’s safe. He appreciates who I am and is just as enthused about my dreams. We haven’t slept together yet. I decide to wait a while to make sure. He doesn’t seem to care.
Summer and I end up going to a hockey game. The season is closing and the end of the semester is looming ahead. George comes with me, never having been one for sports. One thing I appreciate about him is his willingness to try new things.
“Should I wear a jersey for Duke? Or maybe Tripp.” George grins as he makes our way to our seats.
“Only if you actually like hockey by the end of this,” I chuckle. We sit beside each other and share snacks.
Tripp has been scarce, even at the Tutor Center. His schedule is changing. I wonder if it is because of the hockey season becoming more intense toward its ending. They have been ranking up the college league.
The crowd buzzes with excitement in anticipation of the game. Elena is back at her usual spot, her camera through the Plexiglas, and she is flirting with a handsome guy. Elena isn’t shy with dates and she provided stories and entertainment for all her bad ones. Throughout the semester, we have grown close and have provided lots of fun.
When the team comes out onto the ice, there is a palpable energy. The crowd roars with so much excitement that even George joins in on the fray. Tripp comes out, but unlike his usual tour with his million-dollar smile and excitement for the game, he looks subdued. The spark in his pale green eyes looks tired. He isn’t smiling, but focuses hard on his opponent. Duke even looks worried. When the game starts, it’s brutal.
The away team is good, so good that they are nearly head to head by the end of the first period. The Ravens are working hard; Tripp isn’t doing as many passes as he usually does and has instigated more fights than any of the other players.
“Jesus, Tripp,” Summer sighs, her hand on her face. Tripp snarls insults at the other team. He’s livid, even taking his anger out on Duke. Duke narrows his eyes as he tries to have a conversation with him, but Tripp instead stalks away.
“He’s not in a good mood,” George comments as he stuffs his face with popcorn.
Tripp is traded out for the moment, his eyes glued to the game. He ignores the fans behind him, trying to get his attention. It’s not like him at all. Worry grows in the pit of my stomach.
“Well, he might just be having an off time.” I take some popcorn, trying to keep my eyes on the players on the ice. Hoping they get ahead at some point. Duke plays hard, and he even takes a few solid hits that make Summer gasp and cringe.
“He’ll be okay; he’s built like a tank,” I assure her, taking her arm. Summer bites her lip despite this, her eyes searching him.
There is levity during the breaks in the game. The entertainment balances out the intensity. It comes as a surprise that the kiss cam makes an appearance. It just never occurs to me it would land on George and I.
I stare up, seeing my surprised face plastered on the screen. George grins in delight and then turns my chin almost forcefully. His lips collide on mine and it takes a moment for me to kiss him back, but I do. It’s rushed and awkward as I tear away, heat invading my face as the crowd whistles and shouts.
Summer turns to me, her eyes wide, wondering what the hell happened. George eats up the back pats from the surrounding guys, and I suddenly am not sure if I actually enjoyed that. I also hate that I’m questioning it.
The game resumes, but just when I thought it couldn’t get more intense, it does. Tripp gets back on the ice and not even seconds on, he’s taking on a massive player. Gloves and helmet off, beating the shit out of him and getting the shit beat out of himself. It takes both teams to tear them apart. They both land in the penalty box, earning a resounding boo around the stadium.
Tripp sits in the box, blood streaming down his face from a cut above his eye. As I stare, his gaze lands on mine and I turn away like it burns my soul. He receives a washcloth and minor medical treatment, but he’s out for the rest of the game. Ruining his opportunity to catch up on the points.
“This isn’t good,” Summer groans.
“What the fuck is his problem tonight?” I mutter, my hands still trembling.
“Honestly.” Summer bites her lip. “I think it’s you.”