Page 29 of Sidelined Love

“Coach wants me to find another activity, and I thought another sport wouldn't be wise,” Levi admits with a casual shrug, as if it's no big deal.

“Oh? And what does any of this have to do with me?”

“Well, I’ve chosen to learn chess and apparently, since you’re president of the chess club, you're the best person to teach me.”

I blink at him, taken aback by the request. Him deciding to learn chess is random given all of the activities you can do at Crestwood University.

“Absolutely not.”

Levi's expression falters for a moment before he recovers. “Why not?”

“Because I don't tutor people and I'm super busy.”

I can see the challenge in Levi's eyes before he utters a word. “That's not what's on the chess club's home page on the school website.”

“Maybe I'm not the one who's giving the tutoring lessons.”

“There's a photo underneath it that looks as if you're teaching someone with a chessboard in front of you. Your email is also listed there as the point of contact.”

Fuck.

Jade's grin widens and she taps my hand gently. “He’s got you there and would you look at that,” she whispers loudly enough for both of us to hear. “Levi Jamison needs the expertise of Hailey Reed. You should feel honored.”

“Extremely,” I mutter dryly, still trying to process what the hell all of this is. “If I were to do it, what would I get out of this?” Why am I even thinking about doing this?

Levi leans against the table, one corner of his mouth tipping up. “What do you want in exchange?”

I cross my arms and consider him for a moment. Normally I would have sent him away immediately, but the new situation intrigues me, despite myself. I glance at Jade, who is barely holding herself together as she watches us.

Then an idea forms in my head. “If I do this, our schedules will have to line up to where this doesn't become a burden to me, and I want your help with putting together a chess event at Oak Terrace.”

There's a chance that with his hockey schedule this won't work, and I'm banking on it. It might be the only way I can convince him this is something that I can't do. But having an extra set of hands to help with the senior citizens event at Oak Terrace wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either.

Levi's eyes narrow as if he's considering my proposal, and then I see when the proverbial light bulb turns on above his head. “I would need to double-check my schedule, but how about we exchange numbers and I'll shoot you a text when I have it?”

“Or you can send an email to the email address on the chess club's website.”

Jade's snort is so loud that it causes several other people who are sitting nearby to look over at us. She shakes her head and quickly looks back down at her textbook.

“Texting would be easier.”

I hate that I have to agree with him because it is easier. I roll my eyes and say, “Fine. Let's exchange numbers.”

Levi pulls out his phone, and I recite my number for him to enter. He texts me so I'll have his.

“Got it,” he says. “I'll be in touch about my schedule. It might be a couple of days because our game is tomorrow. Thanks for agreeing to do this. I know it's random, but I appreciate the help.”

His sincerity catches me off guard. I just nod in response.

“See you around,” Levi says with a small wave. He turns and makes his way out of the library.

Once he's gone, Jade's eyes widen, and her hands fly to the top of her head before they plop down on the table. “Well, that was an interesting turn of events,” she whispers.

“You're telling me. He didn't even bother to stay here to do work.”

“That's because he obviously came in here to find you.”

I turn to look at her, my eyes narrowing slightly. “Did you know he was going to come here?”

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