I nod, not following his train of thought. “So? What’s that got to do with anything?”
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “As in Harry Potter.”
“Still not following, bro.”
He sighs. “How have you never seen a Harry Potter movie? She’s a fan or wouldn’t have chosen that as her screen name.”
“And?”
I still don’t get it.
“You could shock her by learning about the books. It would give you something to talk about other than the past.”
“Is that what you did with Jemma?”
He shrugs. “It’s easier with Jemma. We click. But you’re at a disadvantage. Sam likes books. She’s smart, obviously, and you’re a fucking idiot who won’t even open a book to pass a class on your own.”
“Hey, I passed Business Law last semester on my own.”
“Barely,” he growls. “A C- isn’t something to brag about.”
“Still a passing grade at Strick U,” I remind him.
“Have you ever considered what you’ll do if you don’t make it pro? You need a backup plan, Tuck.”
I laugh. “Like you have one.”
“I do,” he challenges. “I have straight As. I’m graduating with honors. So are Preston and Jamie. Even Drake is doing more than just passing, and he’s as hopeless as you.”
“Fine,” I grunt. “I’ll learn about this Harry Potter shit.”
His phone rings, and he ignores me to answer the message.
My brother is right. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player like my dad. Nothing else mattered to me.
I swivel the chair back toward the computer screen and start doing my research. If I want to impress Sam, I need to put in the work.
After class ends, Professor Frazier exits the room through the side entrance, leaving Sam at the front by herself. I wait in my seat until students shuffle into the hallway before making my way down the center aisle toward her. She shifts in her chair, pen clasped in hand, hair tucked behind her ears. I hate that she pretends I don’t exist. It drives me crazy, which makes me want her even more.
“Tom Marvolo Riddle…” I say, which catches her attention. Sam looks up at me, and I finish, “… is the Heir of Slytherin.”
“Lord Voldemort is my favorite villain ever written.” She smiles, a real one for once because she knows I’m talking about her screen name. “You’re a Harry Potter fan, too?”
I’m whatever you want me to be.
“Yeah,” I lie. “Huge Potterhead. Don’t look so surprised.”
“I didn’t think you even opened books, let alone read them.”
More like Googled them.
I still need to watch the movies. Otherwise, she’ll know I’m full of shit at some point. I have her attention now, and this time for the right reason. So, I need to keep going.
I drop my bag on her desk and press my hands to the wood, our mouths inches apart. This time, she doesn’t slide her chair back. She focuses on my lips, and I roll my tongue across my bottom lip when she does.
“Give me a chance,” I say. “I might surprise you.”
Her eyes shift to the back of the room for a second. “I already gave you a chance.”
