Page 22 of Tutored By the Smart Girl

“Well, it means the team with the ball?—”

“Kansas.”

“Kansas only has one more chance to make a first down, right?”

“Exactly.” Rush squeezes me. “How many yards have they made on this down?”

“This down?”

“This down.”

“Well… it would have to be nine they’ve made so far because they only need one more yard.”

“Yes, and they have two choices. They can either punt?—”

“Which means they kick the ball to the other team because they couldn’t make their ten yards in four downs.” I sit up a little straighter on the bed.

This football business is sort of fun after all. Reminds me of a good math problem which appeals to the left parietal lobe of my brain.

“They have a second choice that we haven’t seen yet, but I think we might see it when the game comes back on. Do you know?”

I shrug. “I guess they do get four tries, right? Can they try a fourth time?”

He nods, his fingers cradling around my shoulder. “They can, but if they can’t make that last yard, the ball goes to Michigan.”

“They kick it to Michigan?”

“Nope.” Rush grins. “Michigan takes the ball right where it currently stands.”

When the game returns, it turns out that Kansas goes for the first down, and they push their way through the defense and make the first down.

After the Kansas and Michigan game is over, another game follows immediately after.

“I should probably get back to my dorm,” I tell Rush as the new game comes on.

“What? And leave me here alone? Come on, you can watch Texas and Arizona play. It’ll be a good game.” He slips his hand into mine and rests our joined hands on my thigh. My contact light causes those sparklers inside my stomach to ignite.

He wants me to stay? I’m practically vibrating inside— so giddy I could do a happy dance.

Although my heart is about to pound out of my chest, I manage to take a calming breath.

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

7

Rush

I can hardly believe I talked Adison into staying for a second game. For not being around competitive sports growing up and having absolutely no interest in college football, she’s learned a lot today and seems to be enjoying her time.

My phone pings with a weather notification. I grab the phone from my nightstand.

“Whoa. Check this out.”

Adison leans in, her soft cheek against my scruff.

Her eyes widen. She hops off the bed, pulls the shade aside, and peers outside.

She gasps. “Look at that sky.” She turns to me, concern on her face. “I need to get home.”

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