Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Jordan

Ellis sat in the front row, tapping away on his laptop as Callahan lectured. He had a cute little concentration wrinkle above his nose and his tongue peeked out the corner of his mouth, reminding me of a five-year-old.

But when Callahan began rapid-firing questions to the class, El's hand immediately shot up

What is the difference between Chapter 7 and of the Bankruptcy Code?

What is the role of a Chapter 13 trustee?

What is the Means Test?

Callahan finally pointed to Ellis. "Mr. Woods?"

"A means test determines whether someone is scamming the system, and if they are, the case would be dismissed or converted instead."

There were a few chuckles at El's casual explanation.

Victor said in a haughty voice, "It determines whether a debtor's Chapter 7 filing is presumed to be an abuse of the Bankruptcy Code requiring dismissal or conversion of the case."

Ellis shrugged. "Yeah, like I said, scamming the system. Oh, but I can cite the textbook too. If that's what you'd prefer, Professor Callahan?"

Callahan chuckled. "If I want a textbook definition, I'll ask for it. It's more important you understand the law, and the spirit of it, than that you memorize the textbook." He looked pointedly at Victor. "You might take a cue from Mr. Woods on this one."

Callahan returned to the lesson. "So, a means test fails when the debtor's aggregate current monthly income over five years, minus allowable expenses is…"

I returned to grading assignments as the class continued. It was better if I didn't pay Ellis too much attention. I didn't want the other students to notice my feelings for him. Bad enough that my friends already saw right through me.

And how could they not, when I was agreeing to exercise? Blergh.

Ellis was so excited to thank me , and between the boner I was trying to hide after he pinned me under his gorgeous body in Zach's armchair—making me think of all the other ways he could hold me down—and Austin's attempts to suggest there might be other ways to thank me (I'd have to buy Chase some extra Oreos for shutting him up), I couldn't say no.

But I wasn't looking forward to it.

Letting Ellis weigh and measure me, then guide me through stretches and exercises? It sounded like a recipe for disaster. How was I supposed to hide my attraction when he kept getting so up-close and personal?

Last night, we'd had another study session. I'd insisted on meeting at the library after our first session in his dorm room, but it didn't help much.

Ellis sat right beside me, close enough his body warmed my side. He leaned in to read my notes, his breath tickling my arm on the table between us. Every time he wiggled with excitement—and El wiggled a lot— hard muscle brushed against me, lighting up my nerves and making me crave more contact.

The study sessions were torture, plain and simple, and I should have encouraged Ellis to join another study group now that he had an invitation, but my willpower was too weak.

I liked spending time with him. If I couldn't be the guy he wanted, I could at least be the guy he relied on.

Even if I did go home every night and jerk off to hopeless fantasies that he'd wake up and see I was a better choice than Clayton would ever be.

Pathetic.

"Jordan, are you with us?" Callahan's voice jolted me back to the present.

I blinked. "Uh, yes, of course."

"I was just telling the class we have an internship opportunity. Did you bring the sign-up sheet?"

"I did."

"Go ahead and post it."

While I dug into my laptop bag and found the sheet to pin to our bulletin board, Callahan spoke to the class.

"This is a unique opportunity," he said. "I usually only bring on third-years students. We've got our hands full with a major class action, though, and I've assigned Mr. Maddox to take lead on a case. We'll be using all our existing interns on our high priority case, so Jordan will get stuck with three of you."

Nervous laughs flittered through the room. The students were exchanging looks, sizing one another up.

"You won't only be competing with your classmates here. We'll post the signup in all my classes. So, be looking to impress me over the next few days. I want people who can think for themselves, like Mr. Woods has demonstrated so recently."

Ellis sat a little straighter, and pride swelled in my chest.

I'd worried he'd gone into law school for all the wrong reasons, but he was thriving, making me see that this was the right place for him after all.

I just hoped Clayton didn't wake up and realize the same thing.

There was a mad rush on the sign-up sheet. I turned to Professor Callahan. "You know, you could bring on third-year interns for me, too."

"I could." He smirked. "But I won't."

"This is another test of some kind?"

"If I bring on third years, they'll be looking to one-up you and get job offers for themselves. It's all just a big power struggle. If I bring on newer students, they'll try to impress you, so you recommend them for a full internship next year."

"So, it's not just to make sure I have the least qualified help possible?"

Callahan patted my shoulder. "Oh, it's that too. You have to succeed or fail on your merits. But a good lawyer can make use of any tool at his disposal."

"Tell me you'll at least pick the most promising of the bunch?"

Callahan chuckled. "Of course I will, Jordan. I'm looking to challenge you, not sabotage you."

Professor Callahan left me to pack up. When I finished, students still clustered around the sign-up sheet, talking with excitement.

Except for Victor.

He approached me. "You're not choosing the interns, are you?"

"No. Callahan will do that."

"Thank goodness. None of us would stand a chance otherwise."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I'll still be the lead on the case. I can choose to make you scrub toilets if that's my prerogative. So, if I were you, I'd be on your best behavior."

Victor's mouth dropped open, but for once, he was speechless.

Clayton sauntered in from the hallway. He only had one class that overlapped with Ellis and Vic. "Hey, what's all the fuss about over here?"

He leaned in to get a better look at the sign-up sheet, putting his hand on El's back. Victor bristled, as did I.

"Go get your handsy man," I muttered.

Victor opened his mouth, probably ready with a scathing retort, but then he huffed and stomped toward Clayton and Ellis. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, not really wanting to hang around and watch Ellis win back his ex. Because surely he would. He was so charming, and Victor was so…prickly.

Ellis turned toward me as I passed. "Hey, Jordie, wait for me?"

I hesitated, casting a glance toward Clayton and Victor, who were now holding a whispered conversation two feet away. "Okay. I'll wait in the hall."

I pulled out my phone but had only checked a few notifications before Ellis came out of the classroom. "Okay, I'm all signed up! I know I probably don't have much of a chance?—"

"Sure, you do," I interrupted. "You understand the lessons and you're good in a debate. You've impressed Callahan."

"Thanks to your help with the studying." He grinned suddenly. "Which is why I'm so excited for our gym date."

My heart skipped on the word date , even though he didn't mean it that way.

"I'll see you there tomorrow morning," he continued. "Finally, I get to be the teacher and you the student!"

"Wow, yeah. That's happening already, huh?"

He seemed to read the reluctance in my face, and his smile sagged. "Well, you don't have to go if you really don't want to. I just wanted to share something I love with you."

"No, I want to," I said quickly.

It wasn't even totally a lie.

I wanted anything that would bring back El's bright smile.