Page 9 of Testing the Goalie

Ben shakes his head. “Nope, I took this class my first year. I only stopped by to pick up my friend for lunch. I thought it would be rude not to introduce myself. I guess I’ll see you around,” he says, heading back to his friends, whispering harshly at him.

Once they leave and my classroom is empty, I open the piece of paper.

It’s his phone number and below it, he wrote, Call me.

I’ve never been involved with a student, and even though he isn’t my student, he’s still a student at this university. Do I want to cross that line? I’m not sure. Yet I don’t throw the note away, either. Instead, I slip it into my pocket, collect my things, and head out for lunch. I’ll figure out what to do with the number later.

CHAPTER FIVE

BEN

Is this real life right now, or am I dreaming?

“Why did you introduce yourself to my professor?” Bronny whisper-shouts as we walk to my car, giving me a shove along the way.

Okay, I felt that, so this must be real life, which is fucking crazy. Never in a million years did I think I would find Ian when I entered Bronny’s class today.

I’m also not sure what gave me the strength to give him my number, but it felt like I had to at the same time. I’ve been dreaming about Ian since we parted ways, and it seemed like fate was giving me a second chance, and I had to take it. It was a risky move, but I’m praying it was worth it.

“I was just inviting him to watch a hockey game once the season starts. Is it really such a big deal?”

“Professor Johnson made a big deal about not dating students, and then you went up and flirted with him,” Bronny grumbles.

“Well, I’m not his student, am I?” I counter. “Besides, I wasn’t flirting.” Okay, that was a lie, but what Bronny doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

“Coop flirting with your professor isn’t going to harm your grade if you’re worried about that,” Rio assures Bronny.

Oh shit, I hadn’t figured Bronny would be worried about me harming his grade.

“Is that what you were thinking?” I ask him, and he shrugs.

“My grades are important to me,” he murmurs.

“I promise that even if I was flirting with your professor, it won’t reflect poorly on you,” I assure him. “Besides, he didn’t come across upset when I invited him to a hockey game.”

My words appear to settle his nerves, and he nods. “Okay, what are you buying me for lunch?” he requests, and I laugh.

“How ’bout a sandwich at the café on the other side of campus?” I offer, making his face light up like a child on Christmas morning.

“They have my favorite sandwich there,” he says, and I swear a little drool forms at the corner of his mouth.

“Then let’s go. I’ve got classes this afternoon, and I don’t have time to doddle around,” I tease.

As I drive us to the café, I can’t stop thinking about Ian. Will he call me? What happens if he does? What kind of relationship will we be able to have with both of us living busy lives? Would I even want a relationship or just someone to fuck me so hard I forget my name?

My mind is racing a mile a minute, and by the time we arrive at the café, I’m no closer to an answer to my questions than when I started.

My phone is sitting on the coffee table, and I keep staring at it like I’ve suddenly developed superpowers and can make Ian call with the strength of my mind. Of course, that doesn’t happen.

“Why do you keep staring at your phone?” Rio asks from the rocking chair where he’s watching television.

I’m also supposed to be paying attention to the show, but my thoughts keep drifting to Ian. I’m an idiot to hope he’ll actually call. Even if I’m not his student, I bet there is a policy preventing all student-faculty relationships, which is stupid because we’re all adults here. He has no power to make me pass or fail a class. Why is it wrong for us to have a relationship?

“I was hoping someone would call,” I reply with a shrug. “But I’m not sure if that’s going to happen.”

Rio fakes a gasp. “Is Playboy Coop being rejected for the first time ever?”

I roll my eyes, flipping him the bird.

---