Blindside Lesson (Desert Football #5)

Chapter 1

ONE

TEX (TRAVIS)

“Oh my God, why is there so much math in this class?” As heat rose in my chest, I scoffed and raked my fingers through my bangs.

“Dude, what class is it?” Malik, our first-string running back, grabbed a protein drink from the refrigerator and unscrewed the cap, his dark hair falling across his forehead over his equally dark eyes.

“It’s a business analytics class. I didn’t know it would be like this.

” I huffed a sigh and sat back in my chair at the dinette, spreading my legs out underneath the table.

I never should have taken this class. It had the potential to bring my GPA down to a dangerous level.

“I prefer essays. Not this shit with all the busy work.”

Stepping toward me, he chuckled and said, “You’re the only guy I know who enjoys writing reports and shit.

” He set his hand on my shoulder and leaned over me, focusing on my laptop screen.

“Sorry, but I can’t help.” He squeezed my shoulder.

“Now, if it was genetics-type math, that would be a different story.”

“Yeah, I know.” Slumping my shoulders, I twisted my lips. How the hell would I manage this? It was already mid-October, and the football season was in full swing. “Maybe I should drop this class.”

“What, and be a quitter? That’s not the Tex I know.” He dropped into the chair opposite mine. “Besides, it’s past the deadline to sign up for another class, and how would you earn enough credits for graduation?”

“Yeah, fuck.” I pressed my lips together. I had a midterm coming up, so I needed to understand this material fast.

“What about getting a tutor?” He sipped his protein drink as Grey waltzed out of the hallway to the bedrooms.

“Hey, guys.” As Grey’s light blue gaze met Malik’s, his face lit. As he passed by, he gave Malik’s cheek a quick kiss. He was our second-string running back and Malik’s best friend with benefits.

Those two were so in love. When would they finally admit it?

“Yeah, maybe a tutor would help.” As my gaze fell to my laptop, the screen went black, and my blue eyes stared back at me, the same color as my mom and brothers.

Dad was the only odd man out in my family, having brown eyes.

As Dante, my Mexican-American boyfriend from high school would say, I was a total güero.

Fuck, my hair was messed up. I smoothed my blond bangs over the top of my head and off my forehead.

“Admiring yourself?” Malik scoffed a laugh and took another drink of his shake.

“Shut up.” I closed my laptop and exhaled. “I’ve never needed a tutor before.” It was a little embarrassing even admitting I might need one.

“There’s a website dedicated to finding tutors if you log in to your ASU account.” Grey pulled a water bottle from the refrigerator and then sat beside Malik. “What flavor of shake are you drinking?”

“Chocolate.” Malik beamed at him and placed his hand over Grey’s, resting on the table.

Grey’s gaze roamed over Malik.

These two were ridiculous. How did they think no one else noticed what went on between them? “Okay, so I’ll log in and see who I can find.” I opened my laptop and found the tutoring website.

“When are you making dinner?” With a hungry look in his eyes, Malik pulled Grey up from the table. “Do we have an hour?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved them off. Those two fucked more than anyone I’d ever known. Must be nice. I clicked on tutors for the business classes and ended up on a guy who was in his last year of his master’s degree in business, Colton Reed. He’d work. I emailed him.

Hi Colton,

I’m Travis Rowlings, an offensive lineman with the ASU football team, and I need help with an undergraduate business analytics class.

I’m looking for help as soon as possible.

I’m lost and I have a test coming up. We have an away game this weekend, so I have limited time to understand this material.

Thank you.

Travis Rowlings

After dinner, I checked my school emails at the dinette while Malik and Grey cleaned the dishes. I needed someone fast. I’d need to meet before we left for Saturday’s game. Spying an email from Colton, I clicked it open. Bingo.

Travis,

Thank you for reaching out. Yes, I can certainly help you with your business analytics class.

It’s one of my specialties. I have an opening tomorrow evening, if it works with your football schedule, but I don’t enjoy meeting at the center.

I find it too distracting, especially when working on complex topics like this.

Can we coordinate through text for the time, and I’ll send you the address for my apartment?

Best Regards,

Colton Reed

With a grin, I read his phone number at the bottom. Hell yes, this guy was perfect. I added his contact information into my phone and texted him.

Tex

Hi Colton, this is Travis. What time do you want to meet? I can make myself available after 4:00.

“Who are you texting?” Malik rinsed a plate and set it in the dishwasher while Grey, standing beside him, leaned over and clearly focused on Malik’s ass.

“The tutor. He wants to meet at his apartment.” I glanced at my phone and watched the three dots blinking. I hoped this guy was as good as his bio looked.

“Oh, at his apartment?” As Malik’s eyes twinkled, he waggled his brows. “Does he know who you are, and is the guy queer?”

What kind of question was that? I scoffed and shifted in my chair. “Yes, I told him who I was, and I don’t know if he’s queer. His tutor bio doesn’t exactly list his sexuality.”

“He’s bound to be a nerd, anyway.” Grey washed a frying pan in the sink.

“Nerds can be hot.” Malik bumped his shoulder on Grey’s. “Glasses can be very sexy on some guys.”

“Yeah? Should I go buy some glasses?” Grey arched a brow.

“Only if you wear them in the bedroom.” Malik bit his lower lip and surrounded Grey from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“Do you two ever quit with the foreplay?” Shaking my head, I opened my text screen.

Suppose the tutor was queer, what were the chances he was my type?

None. I liked my guys…well, smaller, yes, but also hot in an understated way.

Guys who didn’t know how hot they were. Unlike Malik and Grey, who were acutely aware of their own attractiveness.

A text message came through.

Colton

Be here at 4:00, and we can get started.

He sent his address, which was on the border of Tempe and Scottsdale, but not too far away, and I added it to his contact information before texting again.

Tex

Sure, I’ll see you then.

“Looks like I have a tutor for tomorrow afternoon.” How long would this go? “I’ll let you know if I can’t be home in time to cook dinner.” I cringed. Now they’d tease me.

“Oh? Are you hoping for more than tutoring on your class?” Malik set a cleaned pot on the counter and faced me. “Does he have a bio photo on the website? Is he a hot nerd?”

“No, there are no photos, and stop it. I just…might need a lot of help.” Maybe we could knock this out in one session. I closed my laptop and stood. “How about a game of Madden before bed?”

“Hell yes. I’ll be the quarterback.” Grey slapped Malik on the ass.

The next afternoon, I followed the map app on my phone while driving my truck as it directed me to a three-story apartment complex off Scottsdale Road, right across the Tempe border. Why did the guy live so far off campus? Maybe he was from around here?

I parked in an uncovered spot, grabbed my laptop, and hopped out of the truck. Even though the sun still felt warm, evenings offered a nice cooling as October arrived. Which meant the home games wouldn’t be so brutal.

After pulling my team athletic shirt over the top of my shorts, I hitched my backpack over my shoulder and lumbered down the path toward his apartment, taking in the tall trees and grass lining the pathway.

The complex must be older with all the greenery around it and not the standard landscaping rocks and desert plants. Maybe it was cheaper rent?

As I came to his stairwell, concrete stairs with an iron railing, I peered at the second floor and the black door to his place.

Here goes nothing. What would this dude be like?

I took the stairs two at a time, my thighs protesting.

My gym workout today had focused on legs with extensive squats. I approached the door and knocked.

Silence.

I knocked again. I didn’t want to be rude, but he should be expecting me, right? After fishing my phone from the pocket of my backpack, I checked the time. It was a few minutes after four. I’d been on time.

The door opened a crack. “Hello?” A green eye with thick black lashes studied me.

“Hey, Colton? I’m Travis.” I stretched my hand toward the door. What the fuck? Was this guy a shut-in? “Pleased to meet you.”

“Oh, sorry.” He swung the door wide and stood in the entryway, his brown bangs parted in the middle and flopping to his cheekbones.

His thick brows hovered over stunning green eyes, and his jawline angled to a pointed chin under plump lips.

After adjusting his blue polo, buttoned to the top, he gave my hand a firm shake. “Nice to meet you.”

I dropped my jaw. Holy fuck. Yes, this guy was my type. He checked all my boxes—shorter, maybe five-eleven to my six-five and with a lean build, and fuck if he acted like he didn’t know how stunning he was. Okay, first impressions. Maybe he knew?

“Come in.” He stepped aside and cleared his throat.

“We could work on the couch or the table. You pick.” He stepped into the main room, neatly laid out in a no-nonsense way with a leather couch and dark wood tables.

The place itself had been updated to include white cabinets with black counters and a grey laminate wood floor.

As I panned the room, my gaze landed on a small fireplace with a grey stone surround. “Nice place. It’s not common to have a fireplace in an apartment. Does it work?” I stepped toward the couch and sank onto the end, setting my backpack on the floor.