Page 10 of His Fractured Girl

“No, of course not. It’s obvious you’re smart, seeing as you’re the TA of our class. I’ve just had enough experience with guys like you to know that I’d rather not compete with an entire fan club of eager groupies wanting to spread their legs for you.” To her credit, she has a point. But in my defense, I don’t want any of those girls. And the longer I stare at the girl in front of me, the more I’m thinking I just want her.

“So, what if I’m different? What if I don’t like it when girls eagerly throw themselves at me? What if I’m interested in finding someone who wants to be with me for my charming personality and my brilliant mind and not because I’m the quarterback?” Looks like she didn’t know that fact as her eyes just got bigger. “I’m not like them, Sophie. Believe it or not, there are a few of us football players who are actually looking for something real and are not just interested in fucking as many girls as we can.”

That glimmer of interest is back for the briefest moment, but then it’s gone again, and she’s trying to move away from me.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not interested. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go make sure Torrin is okay.”

She slips past me, heading back towards Lukas’s bedroom, and I have to tuck my shock down between my legs before I go after her. How is it my luck that the one and only girl who’s piqued my interest is the only one shooting me down? The irony of that is crazy.

“Hey, Torre!” she calls out, knocking on the closed door. “Are you almost ready to go?”

It’s like she can’t get away from me fast enough, but I fail to believe she’s not interested. I’m going on a hunch to say that some football alphahole fucked her over in the past, and that’s the motive to her no-dating-football-players rule.

“You know I’ve seen you sneaking looks at me during class.” I step up to her back. “And just so you know, the attraction has been mutual since day one, but I never approached you because I thought you were like all the other girls.” Another shudder ripples through her and it has a contagious effect. “I thought you were only interested in me because I’m the quarterback. So, it looks like we’re both guilty of passing judgement. How about you let me take you out tomorrow night, and we can see how wrong we both were about our assumptions?”

She turns her head, looking up at me. My eyes are drawn to her ruby-red lips, hoping she agrees to go out with me so I’ll have the opportunity of kissing them.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Travis. You’re my TA, and…”

The door opens behind her and a frazzled-looking Torrin comes walking out.

“I’m ready,” Torre states, walking right past us and straight toward the front door. “I’ll meet you outside.”

Sophie turns and chases after her, and I’m left staring at the cutest backside of the girl who refuses to give me a chance. She doesn’t even give me a backward glance. She’s just as eager to get out of here as Torrin is. Maybe I need to play this a different way. Something Bren said earlier comes to mind. Perhaps I need to be a little more persuasive and force the issue.

3

Sophie

The email pops up in the corner of my screen as the economics teacher drones on. As soon as I see the subject line—Regarding your extra credit—I open it.

To:Sophie Adams

Just wanted to let you know that Professor Maxwell has approved an extra credit opportunity. Please come by during office hours to discuss the instructions for the assignment.

Regards,

TA Travis Hunt

The formalityof it strikes me. The indifference ringing loud in his tone. Every word is void of emotion or interest. Though, what did I really expect? I shot him down more than once yesterday.He probably doesn’t like me much anymore. And after I made my stance on how I feel about dating football players, he may be truly offended. As soon as I got back to the dorm last night, I did a little digging and learned that he just earned the Heisman last year, which is indicative of the fact that he’s one of the best players in the country. It also proves that football is much more than a hobby to him. It’s going to be his career. Not marketing as I assumed—and was hoping.

Though, after scrolling through his social media, I didn’t get the impression he’s the typical jock. He didn’t have pictures posted of himself with girls. Or a ton of selfies showing off his ripped body. He mainly posts pictures of cool marketing designs he’s come across in public: products, billboards, things that have caught his attention. It all painted a very different picture than I expected. There’s also the fact that he has no real reason to be a TA with his football career on the horizon, but he still worked for the position. And I’ve already researched what it takes, so I know TA positions aren’t easy to come by.

But even if he is different from the typical jocks I’ve come across, it still doesn’t make him safe for my heart.

As soon as class is dismissed, I head straight to Travis’s office, feeling more anxious with every step I take. I approach the open door, getting a flutter in my stomach when I see him sitting behind his desk, typing away on his computer. He looks so professional in his khaki pants and button-down shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Such a striking contrast to the guy who was dressed in his jersey last night with a beer bottle in hand.

“Are you going to just stand there and stare, Ms. Adams? Or would you like to come in?” His head lifts from his screen and that anxious excitement tingles down my spine as our eyes connect. There’s no denying the attraction. It pricks over my skin like a spark of energy. Temptation raising the hairs on myarms. But the heat will burn me alive. And I’ve already been burned once.

I step into his office and take a seat. “You said Professor Maxwell agreed to let me do an extra credit assignment?”

He shifts forward on his desk, and his cologne teases my senses. A hint of pine with a splash of rugged masculinity. Dominant. Sexy… Tempting.

“Are you usually this friendly with everyone who tries to help you out, Ms. Adams?”

The air retracts inside my lungs. He’s right. Just because I don’t want to date him, doesn’t mean I need to be rude.

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude.”I’m just trying to get out of here before your charming smile lands its attack.

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