Chapter 9
Evie
I spend all of Saturday cooped up in my room, stopping only for bathroom breaks and to make a bowl of Ramen for lunch.
By three, I’m more than ready to take a break from studying and get out of my room, even if it’s only to go to work.
I slip on my no-name brand sneakers and pull on a white v-neck clean t-shirt.
I have this shirt in three different colors and have officially labeled them my work shirts.
They're comfy and seem to go well with the navy aprons we have to wear. I’m already wearing black leggings, so it only takes me a minute or two to get ready to go.
I add some eye color, mascara, and lip gloss and throw my hair into a ponytail and call it a day.
I’m just about to leave when the door to the shared bathroom cracks open.
“She’s not in here,” I call out, letting my suitemates know they can enter safely.
Tessa opens the door widely, dressed in all her FMU pride. “Do you even know what a barracuda is?” I ask, referencing her jersey.
She glances down at it and frowns. “Not particularly, but it makes for some great cheering. We’re fierce and dominant and—”
“It’s a fish,” I interrupt her.
She opens her mouth and then closes it again. “Is it a big fish, like a shark?” she asks hopefully.
“Nope.” I barely keep the grin off my face; I’m having fun with this.
Of course, I didn’t know what it was either.
After seeing the weird mascot at the game, I looked it up.
Apparently, the mascot with the exaggerated six pack, holding a trident is supposed to be a barracuda. Tessa’s already on her phone.
“Well, we have sharp teeth and are fast. What more could you ask for in a football team? Anyway, why aren’t you dressed for the game?”
"I’ve got to work.” She looks so crestfallen, I try not to laugh.
“But it’s the big game.”
“You said last Saturday was the big game,” I remind her.
“Every game is a big game, Evie!”
This time I can’t keep my grin away. “Sorry. I really do have to work. Isn’t Stephanie going with you?”
“No, she has a big paper she’s working on. Who does that, anyway? Who works on a paper during the big game? You all are terrible. I can’t believe I have to go by myself.”
“I’m sorry. Is there a game next Saturday?” She gives me a look like that’s the stupidest thing I could ask. “Okay, I’ll see if I can set my schedule around the game. What time is—” I don’t even get the words out before she tells me.
“Seven-o'clock.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. No promises.”
She hugs me tightly. “Thank you, Evie.”
“Okay, I’ve gotta go, or I’m going to be late. Have fun at the game.” I grab my wallet and phone and head out.
It’s a rather slow shift, which surprises me; but Bisch says this is how it is whenever there’s a game.
I tuck the information away. I actually don’t mind the slow time; it gives us a chance to get caught up on some of the other tasks we need to do.
“Okay, people,” Sam says, clapping her hands.
“It’s about to get real in here; the football game just ended.
Stop cleaning and get ready to make drinks.
” It’s not that I didn’t believe her, but I was fully unprepared for the rush of Barracuda fans over the next few hours.
Every time I look up, there’s a line. But it keeps us busy, and for that, I’m grateful.
I finish writing the order I just took on a cup and face the next customer.
I look up and up some more. Recognition hits me instantly.
It’s the guy from last night. Piercing green eyes meet mine, and I feel the heavy weight of his stare.
I’d forgotten how incredibly good-looking this guy is.
It comes flooding back instantly. He smiles at me, and his entire face lights up.
I find it hard to breathe. “Hey,” he says easily. “How’s it going?”
I swallow hard because his voice matches all the masculinity he’s practically oozing.
I suddenly remember Jace. And even though I’m not really sure if we’re a thing or not, something about this encounter feels like a betrayal to him.
I jerk my gaze away from his and swallow.
“What can I get for you?” I stare down at the register as I wait for his order.
“Mmmm,” he says like he has all the time in the world and there isn’t a line behind him. “What’s good?”
Since I get this question often, I answer easily. “Do you want a hot drink or cold?”
“Mmmmm, how about hot?”
I nod, still not looking up. “So, if you want super sweet, our caramel pecan latte is really good. If you want something not so sweet, you should try the death by chocolate. It’s mostly a dark chocolate flavor, so if you like dark chocolate…
” I pause and make the mistake of looking up.
His eyes are on me like he’s hanging on every word; it temporarily throws me off.
“Hurry up, Cap,” somebody shouts from near the back of the line. “Stop flirting and move on.” I feel my face turn bright red when almost everybody turns to look at me. The big guy takes a step to his left, cutting me off from the view of everybody waiting behind him.
“Ignore them; they’re just jealous,” he says, causing me to smile. “But in the event that they’re going to riot and rush the counter, I’ll order and move on. I'll get a black coffee.”
I gape up at him, wondering why I just told him about our flavors if he was just going to get black coffee.
He shocks me by winking at me and handing me his card.
I swipe it and hand it back to him. Thankfully, because it’s black coffee, I can just grab it and hand it over.
I grab a hot cup and walk over to the pot of hot coffee, only to find it empty.
I grit my teeth; I hate when that happens.
I know whose job it was to start a fresh pot, but they didn’t.
I need to just start doing it when I’m on shift.
I turn back to the good-looking guy. “I’m sorry, but there’s none currently made.
I’ll start a fresh pot and get it to you as soon as possible, but it will take a little bit. ”
He gives me an easy smile that does something to my insides and makes a point of glancing at my name tag.
“No worries. I’ll be studying here for a little while anyway.
No rush. Thanks, Evie.” With one last smile, he turns away.
It takes a moment for me to regain my equilibrium, but there’s no time to stall, not when the line is as long as it is.
I’m in the middle of dropping off a cup for Rachel to make an iced latte when she snags my hand, startling me. “How do you know Zane?”
“Zane?” I ask in confusion.
Her eyes are wide. “The guy that ordered the black coffee. That was Zane Blackwood.” I can tell from her voice and expression that it’s supposed to mean something to me. “Quarterback of the Barracudas,” she says slowly.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh!” she says in return. She laughs at my face. “You didn’t know who he was?”
I shake my head. “No.” We don’t get a chance to talk anymore because we both have to get back to work.
I mentally push thoughts of the quarterback from my mind.
That is until the coffee pot finally finishes brewing.
I fill up a cup and put a lid on it before walking over to Rachel.
“Hey,” I whisper. She keeps making the drink she’s working on.
“Is there a reason we’re whispering?” she asks.
“Do you want to take this to the football guy?”
That gets her attention. She grins. “Yes! Thanks, Evie.”
I smile at her. “Anytime.” She surprises me by pulling the ponytail out of her hair and letting it fall around her shoulders.
“Do I look okay?”
I give her a genuine smile. “You look great; go get him.” I can’t help but grin when she walks around the counter and shoots me a wide-eyed look before walking towards the back of the shop, where I know the football player is sitting.
“Focus, Bennett,” Sam snaps at me. “You’re two drinks behind.
” I turn to her in surprise, but she’s already moved on.
I don’t bother telling her that they’re not my drinks to make.
Since the line is empty at the moment, I grab the two cups and start making the drinks, calling off the names when they’re finished.
When I glance up, I’m surprised to see that Rachel is no longer at the table.
I see the other tall guy from the last night sitting with the football player.
Rachel grabs my hand as she walks past me and squeezes it. “Zane is so hot.” I just shake my head at her and keep making drinks. When I look up, Zane is staring intently at me. I drop my gaze quickly and get back to finishing the drink I was working on.
“Seriously, people,” Sam snaps. “How long does it take to make a few drinks? Rachel, let’s move.”
Rachel gives me a side eye, and I give her a slight shrug. I don’t really know what’s wrong with Sam tonight; I sure hope she gets it figured out before we go back to the room for the night. “Evie, you’re done for the night. Clock out and head out.”
I glance up at the clock. “I’m on until eleven; I have another hour.”
“Not tonight. We’re slow and don’t need the extra help.”
I glance out at the packed coffee shop. Sure, the line has died down for now, but the shop is nowhere close to being slow. I walk over to where Sam’s working. “Sam,” I keep my voice low. “I need the hours.”
“Not tonight, Bennett. It’s my job to send people home early when we don’t need them.” She turns to me. “I’m sure you have studying to do anyway.”
I do, but that’s beside the point. “Okay.” It’s not worth the fight. I meet Rachel’s eyes when I turn around.
Sorry, she mouths.
I give her a smile, so she knows everything’s fine. I drop off my apron in the back and head out the back door. I blow out a breath, trying not to get frustrated. I’m so lost in thought I nearly run into somebody. I glance up at the last second. “Oh, sorry.”
Zane Blackwood stands in front of me. “No worries. You seemed lost in thought; I was going to warn you if you were about to crash into me.”
His easy smile and words make me smile. “Thanks. Have a good night.” He surprises me by falling into step next to me. I falter in my step and glance up at him.
“I’ll walk you wherever you’re going. That way, if you get lost in thought again, I can warn you if you’re about to trip or walk into somebody.”
I let out a small laugh. “You really don’t need to,” I tell him, unsure of how exactly to take him.
“Just call it a thank you for the coffee you made me.”
“The black coffee?” I ask dryly.
“It was good.”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure why you had me go through the favorites when you were going to just order a black coffee.”
“Would you believe me if I told you I just wanted to hear you talk?” I give him a wry look. He smiles, and I turn back to focus on walking. We pass some students and make room for a large group to pass soon after that.
“Are you really the quarterback for the football team?” I ask suddenly, not even sure where the question came from.
“I am. My name’s Zane.” I can feel his gaze on the side of my face. “How did you know?” I can hear the tease in his voice.
“Would you believe me if I told you it was the muscles?” I ask in a totally deadpan voice. He looks shocked for a moment, and then he laughs.
I smile. “This is me,” I tell him, nodding at the dorm in front of us. I don’t give it a chance to get weird. “Night, Zane.”
“Good night, Evie,” his low voice follows me inside. I don’t think I stop smiling the rest of the way up to my room.