Page 31 of The Assist
He holds open the door for me as we enter University Hall and runs the other hand over his chin. “Got Z to thank for that. I played against him my senior year of high school in an AAU championship. Coach Daniels recruited Z hard, everyone did. When he signed with Valley, he put in a good word for me. Never even talked to the guy off the court. Anyway, I owe him. It’s been incredible playing alongside him. Players like Z don’t come around very often. He has the kind of talent that people will still be talking about in twenty years.”
“I heard he’s going pro next year.”
“Yeah, definitely. He should be a first-round pick, but it depends on how the season goes. If I can get us to the final four, he has a shot at a top five spot. Joel could go, too, if he doesn’t screw it up with the partying and women. He has another year yet, though.”
“What about you?”
“Nah, doubtful. I could maybe get drafted in a late round, probably spend some time on their minor league teams, but I’m just focused on the next five months.”
“I’m surprised,” I answer honestly. “I can tell how much you love it, and you’re obviously talented enough to play with guys who are going pro, why wouldn’t you want to go for it or at least try? You might be surprised, and worst-case scenario is that you don’t make it and you can fall back on your business degree.”
He grins, which is not at all the reaction I am expecting. “You have spunk. I like that. I just need to focus on getting the team to that national championship. Z and I have been working toward it for four years, and it’s so close I can taste it.”
We go our separate ways to get supplies for our study session and then settle into a table where I sip coffee and Wes devours a sandwich and chips. He quizzes me on binomial distribution between bites, and I find I mostly know the answers. I’m picking it up faster now, whether because it’s clicking or because Wes is that good, I don’t know. I’m leaning toward the latter.
I’m able to concentrate more too. It isn’t that his looks don’t affect me anymore, he’s still mind jumbling hot, but as I learn more about him I realize the outside isn’t even the sexiest thing about him. He’s intelligent and polite and just . . . nice.
When they dim lights at University Hall signaling closing time, I’m reluctant to leave but I know Wes has other things to do. Guilt for tricking him into helping me gnaws at my conscious. I should probably let him off the hook now and tell him I can finish preparing for midterms on my own.
“Same time tomorrow?” He asks as he scrolls through his phone and then taps out a message.
“Uh, yeah, sure. I work at the café until four, but I’m free after that.”
“Shoot,” he says and stops on the sidewalk.
“What’s wrong?”
“Joel has a late class tomorrow night.”
I stare at him trying to figure out how Joel’s schedule impacts his.
“He’s my ride,” he finally says as he stares down at his phone. “I can’t drive yet with the boot.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry. I completely forgot. I could come to the house again if that’s easier?”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
“How are you planning to get home tonight?”
He shrugs. “Joel’s coming to pick me up.”
I laugh, something about Joel playing chauffeur makes me adore their friendship even more. On cue, Wes points to a black sports car pulling into the parking lot behind the library with no regard for the speed limit. Joel pulls up to the curb and grins up at us through the open window. “I feel the need . . .”
Wes shakes his head, but I don’t miss the big smile on his face as he finishes the quote. “The need for speed.”
He looks over sheepishly. “TopGun.”
“I should have guessed.”
“You need a ride, stat girl?”
“Nah, it’s a short walk.” I point in the direction of the sorority house.
Both men look at me stubborn and hard. “You are not walking across campus at night by yourself.”
Valley isn’t exactly a hub of violent crime, but I can see any retort I could make would be in vain. They aren’t letting me walk.
Wes holds the door open for me, and I slide in to the back of the car that still smells new and expensive. It fits Joel, who I haven’t gotten a good read on yet. He’s flirty and playful and seems to be so different from Wes and Z, but they’re close. I can tell their friendship goes beyond ball.
