8. Drew

CHAPTER 8

DREW

Normally, Drew would have ignored the tinny notification ping while he sat in class. However, having had an engaging breakfast where he made a new friend who might—potentially—have an in on an internship, or, hell, even if Lee just wanted to meet up… Damn, he could get behind that. Or in front of.

Drew snickered under his breath as he reached for his phone. His professor was boring as shit, anyway. Seriously, the man needed to get a personality transplant or something. Drew learned more from the reading assignments and homework than he did sitting in his lectures.

Doc wants your application in her inbox by the end of the day.

"Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God. Yes. Yes. Yes!" Drew pumped a fist in the air.

"Mr. Williamson, something you care to share with the class?" Professor Cain sneered from the front of the room.

Oops. But… What the hell? Why not? Drew grinned, feeling loose-limbed and giddy, as he stood up, looked around the room at his fellow students, a mix of nursing, medical, and PT, and said, "I just potentially scored an internship with the Austin Troopers."

Professor Cain's eyes widened amid the low whistles and called out congratulations. Oh yeah, Prof be pissed. He'd been the most vocal against Drew's desire to lean toward sports therapy. Hell, with his B.S. he could have already been an athletic trainer, but he'd wanted to go the extra mile and earn the full Physical Therapy Doctorate.

"Potentially, hmm?"

Damn, why Prof gotta be so mean. Drew shook it off. "They asked me specifically to send in my resume today. So…" He glanced at his phone, noted the time, and saw that class was over. He pointed at the clock in the back of the lecture hall. "I'm gonna go and do that. See you later."

Drew scooped up his laptop and bag and headed for the door. He debated about texting Lee back and asking him to warn the team doctor about Cain sabotaging him. Would that make him seem desperate? Or, more importantly, would Cain actually do that to him?

Fuck it. He wanted this internship and he'd use whatever help he could get.

Lee, man, you rock!! I can't believe you came through for me. I just got out of class, so I'm going to head to the library and send Dr. Jiminez my rez now. But… and this is big, so I totally understand if you won't, but I've a got professor here who hates me, and since I interrupted his class with the news—omg, I was so excited I shouted Yes in class—I feel like Dr Cain might try something like emailing Dr J and telling her I'm a bad student. Could you ask her to ignore anything he sends?

Drew hit send and continued to the library. He sprawled in one of their comfy chairs where he'd had many a good nap over the years and opened his laptop. His resume and cover letter were loading when his cell lit up with a new notification from Lee.

It's Dr. Rosie, and I let Cutter know. He'll pass the word. He laughed when I showed him your message.

Drew let the air trickle out of his lungs as the tension drained from his shoulders. It was a definite plus that he'd have an ally in this Cutter guy. Hopefully, he'd have an interview set up by next week, and he'd have his advisor off his back. His next order of business was deciding on his capstone project. Interning in a field that didn't hire many licensed PTs should make his decision easier.

He was neck-deep in research when his phone chimed again.

Didn't realize how close your school was. Saw a turnoff sign on my way home.

Drew frowned at the text.

Where do you live?

Off Lamar, south of the diner.

Oh, damn. You are close. That's a nice area. I usually meet Mac a couple of times a week at the diner.

There was a long enough break that Drew dropped his phone to continue his research. Rehabbing injuries was usually done by the athletic trainers under the eye of the team orthopedic doctor. Having a licensed physical therapist would free up the doc's time and allow them not to worry so much about the trainers if they had to be in surgery or away from the team for whatever reason. He could make a case for hiring a full-time PT for every national football team for his project.

Do you live close to your school?

On campus. :sad: I've got a single in graduate housing. Slightly more affordable than a rental.

I bet. Surprised you and Mac aren't living together.

Oh, hell no. Drew chuckled. They already learned that lesson the hard way. They'd eventually decided that their friendship was more important than saving a few bucks because, it turned out that when living in each other's pockets, they needed a full-time referee.

He politely responded with:

We tried… once.

:big eyes: uh-oh. Story for another day. Question for you… how do you deal with this heat? Ugh. Hotter than a witch's tit!

I prefer wizards', please, and thank you.

There was another long pause before Lee's reply hit his phone.

Me, too.

Drew tapped the corner of his phone against his lips. He knew about Lee being gay, but now he wondered if, maybe, Lee was a closeted D&D geek, too. Drew preferred live-action to role-playing. He chuckled under his breath. Except in bed. He could go either way there.

If Lee was into the medieval times, though, Drew would love to take him to the Sherwood Forest Faire in the spring. He went every year, dragging a reluctant Mac with him. It'd be nice to have somebody to enjoy it with.

:laughing: Kinda got that impression.

Ha! Okay. Gonna hit the shower… Later.

Drew tucked his phone away as images of a naked Lee danced through his head. As much as he loved Mac's lean frame, having someone with muscles equal to his had its own appeal.

In the meantime, he had a cover letter to update and a resume to send, and then he'd keep his fingers crossed until he landed the position.