Page 17 of Puck'n Bully
Running my fingers through my unruly curls, I glance toward the clock on my bedside table and gasp out. I barely have twenty minutes to get to this meeting.
“Pirate!” I growl, throwing my phone on the bed like it bit me.
Closing my eyes, I try to calm my breathing. I can curse Hayden when I see him at the student center but for now, I have to hurry.
Throwing my covers away, I climb out of bed and head toward my closet.
Since I’m living in an apartment outside the university’s campus, it takes me at least fifteen minutes to walk to my department. With no time for a shower, I change into a fresh T-shirt and jeans and grab my backpack.
A yawn escapes me as I climb down the shadowy staircase of the apartment building. Thanks to Hayden, I couldn’t even manage a sip of coffee this morning.
A distant echo of people arguing reaches my ears as I walk past a graffitied wall leading toward the exit doors. The decades-old, crumbling building isn’t the poshest place to live but the rent is cheap and it’s close to the university campus. For a scholarship student like me, it was the best available option when I moved to Knightswood.
It's a beautiful fall day but my mood doesn’t reflect the bright blue sky or the gentleness of the cool breeze blowing past me. I sprint down the campus lane, my desperation rising as I’m already running late.
Out of breath, I reach the hockey rink and look around for the student center building. A couple of guys walk past me in Knights hoodies, laughing and shoving each other. I’m about to ask them for directions when I spot Hayden.
An infuriating smirk lifts the corner of his lips as he strolls toward me. He doesn’t stop until his toes are nearly touching mine. I try to take a step back but he wraps an arm around my waist, preventing me from putting a gap between us.
Heat rises to my cheeks as I feel his hard muscles press against me.
“What are you doing?” I hiss, squirming. “Aren’t you afraid someone will see us?”
Keeping me pressed against him, he scans the place. “No one’s around,” he says, grinning at me.
I push hard against his chest but can barely make him move. Towering over me, Hayden is like a solid wall of muscle.
Letting out an impatient huff, I glare at him. “We need to talk.”
“Should we go to the library or something?” he suggests.
“This place is just fine for what I’m about to tell you,” I say, swatting at a curl that falls into my eyes. “Did you seriously go to the Physics department to get me assigned as your tutor?”
A chuckle escapes him. “Well...not exactly.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, narrowing my gaze.
“I got my coach to do my dirty work for me,” he says with a shit-eating grin. “I told him I needed help with advanced math and you’d be the best tutor to help me.”
“How do you know I’m any good? I might be the worst tutor in this university!”
“You’re good enough for me, Liam.” The sudden sincerity in his voice sends a jolt through me. As I look up at him, I notice how his grin has faded. His chiseled jaw is tight and his hands are balled into fists.
Is Pirate afraid I’m going to reject him and walk away?
I shouldn’t care about him. He’s just another jock with an overblown ego.
But is he really like that?My heart questions, confusing my logic.
He’d looked so damn vulnerable when I met him back in Long Island. Maybe he isn’t as bad as he pretends to be. Maybe it’s his way of keeping himself protected.
“I need you, Liam,” Hayden’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
“All right, fine,” I say before I have another chance to consider the impact this decision will have onbothour lives.
A hopeful grin brightens his face. “Fine?”
“Yeah, I’ll tutor you,” I say, taking a step toward him and looking him boldly in the eye. “But we’re going to do thismyway. No skipping sessions and no last-minute cancellations. You will take this thing seriously and work hard to achieve your goals. Is that clear?”
