Chapter 4

4

Rush

Four weeks into our tutoring sessions and I’m still not sure where I’ve seen Adison Miller. It’s driving me crazy.

I’ve asked my teammates, and no one’s ever heard of her. She doesn’t play sports, she doesn’t belong to a sorority. And, according to her, football is a game for an archaic species with underdeveloped brains.

Archaic species? Damn.

Not quite sure how to take that. I should probably be insulted, but it’s amusing. She’s so damned cute, I let it slide. Sometimes she comes off all shy and reserved, and other times, she’s completely outspoken.

I’ve made every one of my tutoring sessions. On time— even if it meant running across campus after practice. After her first admonishment, who would be late? She reminds me after every session “My time is important. I cannot reiterate enough how your promptness not only helps you achieve your goals but also allows me time to assist other students.”

Every.

Fuckin’.

Time.

Like some memorized speech.

When I saw her yesterday, I said the words right along with her as she was saying them. It totally annoyed the hell out of her. Seems to be something I like to do. She’s so sexy when she’s bothered. She comes off trying to act like I don’t get under her skin, but I know I do. And I love it. She plays her hand close to her chest. It took me nearly four weeks to finally convince her to give me her phone number.

Last week, the library had some water damage, and the tutoring rooms are unavailable for the rest of the semester. For the past week, we’ve been meeting at the local coffee shop, The Campus Cup.

I’m drawn to Adison. She’s smart, sexy, and she likes to tease me. It’s been two years, and this is the first time I’ve felt attracted to anyone since Evie snapped me in half. There’s nothing like returning from an away game and finding your dormmate boning your girlfriend.

I should’ve listened to my teammates. Especially Oliver Benjamin, but don’t call the guy Oliver. Unless you want to piss his ass off. He goes by Benji and will answer to Ollie. He’s kind of the man whore of our group. He’s never had a girlfriend but has slept his way through the campus. He claims he isn’t going to get attached to any one woman while he’s here. The guy is a total heartbreaker but swears before he gets involved with any woman, she knows the score. He rarely does second dates or second hook-ups. His entourage doesn’t seem to notice though.

I shake the memory of Evie from my head.

I’m early as I slide into the red, worn leather of the well-used booth. The antiquated high wooden backs provide a secluded atmosphere, which is perfect for studying. My ass sinks into the seat where many of the students have been seated before me. Although I have my books open in front of me, I’m having a hard time focusing on math.

She arrives. Promptly, of course. She slides into the seat across from me. She checks her watch.

“You’re early.”

I nod. “I am.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I check the screen and see it’s my dad calling me again. I send the call to voicemail.

Adison’s eyebrows raise. “You need to take that?”

I shake my head. “Nah.”

Adison seems so authentic—so real. I feel like I’m living a lie. Sometimes I feel like the only thing that’s gotten me where I am is because I’m Kip Radcliffe’s son. A chip off the old block. If my folks found out about the math tutor, I’d probably get a big lecture. Reminded that I’m not living up to my potential.

Adison interrupts my thoughts. “Hey, you still with me?”

“Sure.”

“How’d you do on the test?”

“I got 82 percent.” I shrug. “Not great, but an improvement, I guess.”

Her face lights up. “An improvement indeed. Nice work, Mr. Radcliffe.” She raises her hand, and we share a high-five. Her hand dwarfs mine and her skin is soft. She throws her long hair over her shoulder and the aroma of vanilla fills my senses.

She always smells so good.

She digs out her math book, looks up at me, and narrows her eyebrows. “Why are you staring at me?”

Busted.

“I’m not.”

The door to the coffee shop opens and I recognize the girl entering from our house parties. She smiles at me and approaches our table. Her face lights up when she spots Adison with me.

“Hey Adison,” she greets.

Adison looks up and I swear her face goes white. “Oh, hey there. Brenna, right?”

“Yeah, we met at the party at the football house.”

Adison bites her thumbnail and nods.

“I was looking all over for you later that night, but I couldn’t find you.”

Adison’s voice shakes. “Oh, I was there. You must’ve missed me.”

Brenna shrugs. “I better get my coffee. I need my caffeine. Big exam tomorrow.” She smiles. “See you around.”

“Yeah. See you.” Adison thumbs through her math book.

I study Brenna from across the room and look back at Adison who is still engrossed in the book.

“You were there.” I smile. The memories from the night of the party are starting to come back to me. This is definitely the beauty who cooled off my lap with that drink.

She looks up. “Where?”

“At the football house that night. The party. You were there.”

Adison’s eyes dart around. Around to anything but my face. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”

“You’re the one who fell into my lap. That’s where I recognize you from.”

Adison shakes her head. “I think you have me mixed up with someone else.”

I smirk and tap my chin. “I don’t think so.”

“I’m sure there were a million people there that night. Could’ve been anyone. Besides, you probably had a lot to drink and you’re getting things mixed up.” She takes a deep shaky breath. “Back to business, Mr. Radcliffe.”

I reach across the table and put my hand on hers. “Not so fast.”

I squeeze her hand. “I wasn’t drinking that night. Not a drop. Practice early the next morning. I know that was you. Admit it.”

Adison lets out an exasperated breath. “Fine. It was me. Happy?”

I laugh. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She rolls her eyes. “Embarrassed? Not one of my finest moments.”

“I’ve been looking all over for you, you know.”

“You have?”

I nod. I’ve been trying to find the mystery girl who spilled her drinks on me.”

Adison’s head tips adorably. “I am sorry.” She smirks and wrinkles her nose. “I think you can blame Benny. He’s the one who got the ball rolling.”

“Benny?” I laugh. “Oh, Benji.”

“Benny. Benji. Whatever.”

“He’s the pong champion and they usually chant for him at some point during our parties.”

“So, I discovered.” She smirks. “He shoved his beer cup into my hand and then those other two guys plowed into me.”

“I saw.” I squeeze her hand and run my thumb across the soft back. “The guilty parties are Wings and O-Man.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “Wings and O-Man?”

“Kade Compton, also known as Wings and Miles O’Leary. We call him O-Man.”

She nods. “I see.” She takes a small sip of her coffee. “Does everyone have a nickname?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“Wings? Is he a pilot or something?”

I bite the inside of my cheek trying to hold in a laugh. “No, he’s a running back and sonic fast. Like he’s got wings and can fly over the defense.”

“The defense?”

“On the football field.” I take a drink of coffee and pop the last bite of muffin into my mouth. “You really don’t know anything about football, do you? You weren’t kidding.”

“No. I’ve never been one for competitive sports. They bore me.”

Is this woman for real?

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“About being bored with sports? Dead serious.” She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I bet you thought everyone in the student body swooned over your football prowess, huh?”

I grab my chest and feign heartbreak. “I’m wounded.”

She smirks. “Not sure about that. I just call it the way I see it.”

Adison is my tutor, but this girl has me all riled up inside. One minute she’s bashful, and the next she’s speaking her mind— putting me in my place. She’s sexy. Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I slip out of my seat and join her on her side of the booth. “Let’s get to work, teacher.”

Adison

Not sure how it happened, but after our study session at the coffee shop, Rush asked me to go to ice cream. I have studying to do, but I’m so intrigued by him.

He insists on buying my ice cream and I don’t stop him. We sit on a park bench near campus and enjoy the afternoon sun.

“It’s not often I indulge in ice cream,” I admit, staring at the two scoops of chocolate chip ice cream on my cone.

He turns and looks me up and down. “Can’t be because you’re worried about your figure. You’re perfect.”

My face burns. “Well, thank you. I try. I work out once a week and I try to run at least five days a week.”

“You run?”

“Yes. You sound surprised.”

He shrugs. “I guess I am. Miss no competition has a physical hobby. I’m impressed.”

I laugh and snort which makes him laugh. “I don’t compete with anyone. I just run long distances. Alone. I like the exercise and it’s recommended for me since I?—”

“Since you what?”

“Oh, nothing.”

I really don’t want to get into my health limitations with my heart. No one wants to hear about that, I’m sure.

“Not nothing. What were you going to say?”

I sigh. “Fine.” I take another lick from my ice cream cone. “I have a heart condition, so I run to keep my heart strong and healthy, and I have to watch my diet.”

“A heart condition? I’m sorry to hear that, Adison.”

My stomach flutters and I smile. “Well, thank you, but I’ve had it all my life, so I’m used to my restrictions.”

“All your life?”

“A genetic defect.”

“Have you ever had surgery? My cousin had surgery when she was less than a year old.”

“I’ve had two surgeries—one when I was a year old and a second surgery when I was thirteen.”

“That’s rough.” Rush’s brown orbs hold my gaze until I’m practically squirming in my seat. “Will you need additional surgeries in the future?”

It’s hard to believe Rush is so compassionate about my heart condition. My mom was always loving and supportive, but my father was a different story.

He nibbles on his ice cream cone. “How far do you run?”

“I try to run ten miles a week. I can’t go more than about two miles each day. So, some weeks when I’m super busy, I don’t get in my ten. But I sure try.”

Rush scoots closer to me on the bench and puts his arm behind me. I swore I’d never get involved with one of the students I tutor.

Especially not a cocky football player like Rush.

There’s something this guy does to me. Not that I have a ton of experience with guys. I’m a college sophomore still holding her v-card. Sure, I’ve dated on occasion, but school has been my focus. Guys played second. They don’t often like that.

We finish our ice cream and Rush doesn’t make any attempt to remove his arm from behind me. His arm now rests gently against my back.

He turns to me. “Adison, look at me.”

I turn to him, and his teddy bear eyes are bright, his face only inches away from mine— just like the night at the party.

“Since I got chocolate chip and you got vanilla, I think those make a good combination.”

And with that, Rush Radcliffe kisses me. Right on the park bench on my campus.

When his tongue tickles my lips, I allow him entry.

Every nerve ending in my body bursts into flames. His kiss is firm, yet gentle. He nips my bottom lip with his teeth, and we break the kiss.

He licks his lip. "I’ve been wanting to do that since the first time I saw you.”

I laugh softly. “The first time you saw me, I was in your lap with two empty cups.”

He nods. “No, the first time I saw you, you were across the living room laughing with your friends and when I caught you staring at me, you looked away.” He reminds me and the warmth of a blush saturates my cheeks.

“Guilty.” I shrug. “I had no idea I was going to end up in your lap.”

“I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize you sooner. You looked different that night.”

Rush runs his fingers through my hair. The closeness, his aroma as the wind catches his scent, and his touch sends a shiver down my spine. “Your hair maybe? It’s straight now.”

“Yeah, my friend insisted on curling it. I normally wear it like this.”

Rush smirks. “You knew it, didn’t you?”

“Knew what?”

He drags me over so I’m sitting on his lap. “Knew me when I walked into your tutoring session that first day.”

“I did.”

He squeezes me tight, and his lips claim mine.

It’s a kiss like no other. The kind of kiss that makes my heart soar out of my chest— like it has wings.

Rush holds my hand as we make our way down the main street of town. We pass the bakery.

“They have the best donuts.”

“I didn’t know football players were allowed to eat donuts.” I pat his tight abs.

He chuckles. “We’re really not supposed to but when?—”

“Whoa.” A woman comes out the door of the bakery and almost bumps into us.

“Johnny!” The woman with beautiful long auburn hair stands in front of us. She’s wearing a yellow sundress that accentuates her lithe body. “How’ve you been?”

Rush drops my hand. His jaw tightens. “Evie.”

She reaches out and lightly touches his forearm. “You should call me sometime… you know… so we can catch up.” She gives me a sideways glance. “You’re having a great season… I never miss a game.”

Rush gives her a curt nod. “Something like that.”

“You have my number. Call me soon.” She readjusts her shopping bags and gives a little wave. “Well, it was good to see you. Take care.” She walks away and just like that, she’s gone.

“Yeah.” Rush stands frozen in place and mumbles something under his breath.

He has her number?

Rush turns to face me. “My ex-girlfriend.”

“Oh.”

He shrugs. “Last year.” He takes my hand in his and we walk. “We’re not together anymore.”

“I got that…You know… when you referred to her as your ex.” I wink.

Rush lets out a sigh. “Sorry about that.” He rubs the back of his neck. “That was weird.”

“She was… friendly.”

“She texted me a few months ago…wants to get back together.” Rush wraps his arm around me. “That’s not happening.”

“She’s pretty.”

“She cheated on me with my roommate.”

I cringe. “Ouch.”

“Yeah. Walked in on them.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I lean into him. “Not a good way to find out.”

“You’re tellin’ me.”

We walk along in silence for a moment.

“Are you in a hurry to get back?”

I shrug. “Not necessarily.”

“The weather’s perfect. Let’s walk through McCaffee Park.”

I smile. “That sounds great.”

I’m not sure what’s happening with Rush Radcliffe, but I think he’s healing my heart.