Page 28 of Overtime
All the lights are on, though, so I don’t think Aran lied to me. He doesn’t seem like that kind of person. Gruff and grumpy, sure. A bit cutting sometimes too. And he revels in myembarrassment. But his intimidating air doesn’t translate into being a jerk, like I feared at the beginning.
No, Aran is… The school may revoke all my credits because I’m a creative writing major, yet I’m coming up blank with how to describe him.Nicedoesn’t fit him. He still makes me much more nervous than any other guy I’ve ever met, and it’s not because of his gorgeous face. He just gives me the impression that I won’t be able to hide anything from those sharp eyes. He’s an intense person who is intensely hot. Who wouldn’t freak out?
He’s also late, though.
I check my phone, and it reads 6:52. I wish I’d thought to ask for his number so I could contact him to reschedule. But then the front door opens, and two guys come out dressed in thick coats, with ginormous duffel bags hanging from their shoulders.
Should I get out of the car now? Would it look weird if I wait for him outside the door? But what choice do I have? It’s not like he knows what I drive.
Gathering my nerve, I turn off my car again and climb out. More people stream out of the building, guys and girls alike, all carrying big bags and equipment. And apparently, all of them much taller than me.
I attract a few stares as I park myself by some benches at the entrance. I don’t sit because they have ice on them. My breath comes out in puffs that cloud my vision, but even if I don’t see him, Aran will spot me easily. And it won’t be because of his super vision. It will be because I’m the only short, chubby person not carrying any equipment here.
But I spot him right away. His is the only tall head with a buzz cut. He keeps the door open for a girl to walk through. They’re chatting, so I clamp my mouth shut and don’t call out his name like I intended. He turns around, as if he’d already seen me, and heads my way without hesitation.
“So this is her?” the girl asks, motioning toward me.
Aran nods. “Maddie, this is Ryan Avery. Ryan, this is Madeline Berkley—goes by Maddie and doesn’t like it when I call her Strawberry.”
“Gotcha.” Ryan’s eyes sparkle under the light of the lamppost. She offers her hand, and I shake it and, wow, she’s strong. “It’s great to meet you, Maddie. I’ve heard a lot about you already.”
“Uh-oh.” My eyes are wide.
“Nothing terrible. Only how you’re keeping my boy here out of trouble.”
My boy?
I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.
“Uh…”
Aran expels a little cloud from his mouth with a sigh. “I had to explain how we met. So she knows you’re my tutor.”
Of course. I mean, girlfriends like to know these things. I think.
“Apparently,” Ryan continues, her tone conspiratorial, “he doesn’t want anyone else to know he’s about to flunk an elective.”
“A bullshit elective, to be more accurate,” Aran mumbles.
“Don’t worry. All your secrets are safe with me.” She jams her elbow into his side so hard it makes him grunt. “Unlike the bunch of gossips you call teammates, am I right?”
“Unfortunately.” He shakes his head with a deadpan expression and hoists his duffel bag higher on his shoulder. “So, Strawberry, are you ready?”
“Will you ever stop calling me that?”
“Probably not.”
“And he won’t be apologetic about it,” Ryan adds. At the same time, she hooks her arm with mine. “But if you can put up with his crap, you’ll have a solid friend for life.”
“I, uh…”
Aran rolls his eyes wide. “She’s looking for an apartment, not for some buddy-buddy bullshit. Are we going or not?”
“Lead the way, Forrest Grump.”
I choke on a laugh.
Without a word, Aran turns on his heel, and I follow, pulled by Ryan.
