3. Three
Three
Seth
“You got anyone for me?” I lean over the library counter to give my favorite librarian a smirk.
“Not yet,” Bethany replies. “But it’s still early in the semester. Just wait, in a few weeks we’ll have so many students in here looking for tutors that you won’t be able to keep up.”
“Here’s hoping,” I say, crossing my fingers.
“Not sure you should be looking forward to other students falling behind in their classes.” The upturned corner of her lips gives it away that she’s teasing.
“If no one needed tutors, I’d be out of a job,” I return. “Let me know if you hear anything.” With that, I turn and head deeper into the library. Behind the books and computers is an area with desks and tables for students to study alone or in groups. I snag a cubicle and set my stuff up on the desk. Might as well use the time to get some of my schoolwork done if I can’t work.
With my laptop and my notes set up, I dive into my math homework. It’s not my favorite subject, but it doesn’t hurt my head. At least it isn’t history. I don’t have to keep all the dates and wars in my memory. Just add up the numbers and figure out the answer. Everything has an answer. It’s just a matter of plugging everything into the formula and going through the motions.
The alarm on my phone pulls me out of my headspace. It doesn’t feel late enough for it to be going off. I guess the clock doesn’t lie, though. I better pack this up and head back to Greek Row. There’s just enough time to get dressed and ready. I should make it on time. Frat brothers wave hello or give me an up-nod in greeting as I walk to my room. My soccer bag is already on my bed, waiting for me to grab it. I drop off my school bag, deciding to change in the locker room. That way, I can switch back into my clothes when the game is over.
My heart beats faster, but I do my best to ignore it. The first game of the season never fails to kick up my anxiety. One of those old superstitions is that the first game will set the pattern for the rest of them. I’m determined to pull off a win tonight. It’s my senior year, and it might be the last first game for me.
My teammates are in various stages of undress as I walk into the locker room. Despite all the skin on display, I keep my mind on the game and steer myself straight to my locker. Now isn’t the time to be checking guys out, besides I need to focus on soccer. At least that’s what I tell myself until I almost walk right into Avery’s ass. As he ties his shoe, he leans over and sticks out his perky bottom for the whole room to see, propping up his foot on the bench. Even fully dressed, it’s hard to force myself to look away.
He’s straight, I remind myself, for the millionth time.
Never mind that it’d be a terrible idea. Avery reacted strange enough when I invited him to the party at my frat later tonight. He’d really freak if I hit on him. I shake off the thought and open my locker. It only takes me a matter of minutes to strip off my casual clothes and change into my uniform. Luckily, it’s long enough for Avery to finish tying his shoes, and his ass is no longer tempting me.
I follow the rest of the team in a half-there haze. My mind is split in too many directions. Soccer. The after party. My misplaced attraction to Tyler Avery. But when the soccer ball hits the grass, it captures my focus. Things like sex and the plump curve of Avery’s ass fade away and I keep my eyes on the ball. My only goal at the moment is to keep the opposing team from scoring. When one of their forwards gets closer, my feet race to meet him. I steal the ball, kicking it to Bennett. He passes it to Walsh. Walsh and Avery run down the field to the other goal.
The score is one to zero in our favor at halftime. “You good?” Koch asks, raising his eyebrows.
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Nothing,” he says with a shrug. “You just seem a little off. Heard there’s a party at your frat house later. Is that it?”
“Sure.” I shake him off. “Let’s get back in the game.”
I don’t think he believes me. Hell, the words sound like bullshit to me. None of that matters when the game starts up again. The other team gets the ball almost immediately. I watch as they pass and rush past our guys. When the opposing team member gets closer, I run to meet him. I steal the ball, but I can’t shake off the player. He gets the ball back from me and passes it to one of his teammates. Luckily, Jackson successfully gets the ball back for our team. We don’t manage another goal, but we run out the clock. The final score is one to zero. We win.
My heart is pumping as my teammates scream around me. We flood into the locker room, trading jokes and laughing. High on the afterglow of a win. I never had dreams of going pro, but this feeling. I’m gonna miss this.
Before I even realize it, I’m dressed again after riding the adrenaline through a quick shower. Somewhere in the thick of it, some guys left. Including Avery. Here’s hoping he shows up at the party, but maybe it’s better if he doesn’t. One way or another, I’m getting some tonight, and I don’t need his fine ass to distract me. It’s better for both of us if I don’t embarrass myself lusting after him, and if I don’t get my rocks off soon, I might make a total ass of myself and hit on the guy.
The frat house is packed when I walk in. Full not only with my frat brothers but other students looking for a fun night. “Did you win?” Spencer asks. He appears out of the crowd from fuck knows where, holding two red plastic cups filled with beer.
“We won,” I answer, eyeing his cups. “Is one of those for me?”
Spencer hands me a beer. “Cheers to that.” We both lift the cups to our lips and take a chug.
“Gonna go drop this off in my room,” I say with a motion to my bag. Weaving through the crowd isn’t too hard, but it’s only going to get worse as the night grows later. It’s the perfect opportunity to flirt a little and get some ass. Maybe then I can forget this ridiculous thing about Avery. I chug the rest of the cup after dropping my bag in my room.
A guy catches my eye when I walk into the main area. He’s a slim, cute brunette in a pair of jeans that might as well be painted on. “Hey Oliver,” I greet him as he walks my way.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Oliver says as his eyes slowly travel down my body. We’ve run into each other a few times, and he isn’t exactly subtle with flirting. “It’s a shame you changed out of the uniform.”
“You’d rather I still be all sweaty? Does that do it for you?” I ask.
Oliver takes a step closer and places his hand on my chest. “I could help you get sweaty,” he offers.
“Ollie.” Another guy appears out of the crowd, placing his hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “There you are. Gonna introduce me to your friend?”
“Seth, meet my boyfriend, Dylan.” Oliver laughs, pulling his hand back from my chest.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, but as I look at Dylan, I notice another familiar face in the crowd. “You two have fun,” I tell them. Despite knowing better, I make my way across the room toward Avery.