To my surprise, Professor Cantucci doesn’t shoot me down. I guess I humiliated myself enough to appease her, at least enough to take pity on me. “There isn’t any tutoring available for visual arts, I’m afraid.” She muses. “And I don’t have time to give you extra lessons. Let’s face it, I doubt your grade is going to improve by doing the same thing you’ve been doing with the project you just presented. However, if you spent some extra time painting under some kind of guidance…”
I have no idea where she’s going with that, but I’m desperate. “I’m willing to do anything you think will help me pass this class.”
Professor Cantucci opens a side pocket of her laptop bag, handing me a flier. “Tomorrow night is the grand opening of the new Art Center sponsored by Zeta Theta Beta. I’m one of the faculty patrons of this project. As a past Zeta sister, I’m excited about bringing art to the masses. Especially to those students who haven’t made it a priority in their academic careers. I helped create the schedule for the classes and activities offered at the new center. There’s a free art workshop that runs twice a week, and I think it’s the right place for you to get more in touch with your inner artist. If you produce one project each week, and I see some tangible improvement, I’m willing to take one of those projects as extra credit and bump up your F to a C.”
That sounds like a real pain in the ass, and something that will make my already packed schedule even more taxing. But beggars can’t be choosers, so I have to do what it takes.
“I’ll have to see if these workshops are available at times I can attend.” I say, studying the leaflet. “I understand the importance of making up that grade, but between classes, hockey practices, and games once the season starts next week…”
The professor interrupts me. “The workshop goes from two to eight pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. That should give you ample opportunity to devote at least one hour each day and create something new every week. The center hired a student instructor who’s going to be there to offer help, guidance, and teach some basic techniques. I just interviewed them first thing this morning and I’m confident you’ll get the basic knowledge you’re lacking right now. One original work every week, Keene. And I expect you to get at least a B on the next assignment. Take this seriously, or you can forget passing my class. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I watch as the professor walks out of the classroom.
I’m not excited about this extra work, but I meant it when I said that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to graduate at the end of this academic year.
Besides, since Bex has moved into our condo, I’ve spent all my spare time in my room or in the library. At first, it was to avoid bumping into her. But since she’s started seeing Jamie, the only way I can tolerate being home is to use noise canceling earphones to avoid hearing the moans coming from whichever bedroom they’re in.
I can’t believe she turned Jamie Hart, the school’s playboy, into a relationship guy in a matter of a few days. I mean fuck, she’s gorgeous. But Jamie has been going from one gorgeous woman to another ever since I met my teammates at summer training. What can Bex have to change Jamie on a dime?
I walk out of the Art History building in a foul mood. Since Luke’s sister moved in, I can’t even have some peace and quiet. I wish there was a way to send Bex back where she came from.
Chapter21
Ambushed
Jamie
Luke passes me the puck and I take off on a breakaway, skating as if I had the devil on my heels.
Keene is in front of me, ready to intercept me and steal the puck, but I dodge him easily. Of course, if this was a real game, there’s no doubt that he would have pushed me against the boards. But we try our best not to get too aggressive during scrimmages. The last thing we want is to get injured before the season even starts.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t give one hundred percent when we practice. Coach Harrison is always watching, and he expects nothing but our best every second we spend on his ice.
There’s only one obstacle left between me and Tucker’s crease.
Connor is like an impenetrable wall, advancing on me with the intention of taking the puck from me and going on a breakaway of his own.
It’s one of his signature moves. He’s one of the highest scoring defensemen in our conference, probably in the whole Division One NCAA league.
The thing is, I’m not going to let him have his way. There’s one reason why I was the second highest scorer in our regular conference last year, despite our team missing the playoffs. I can read a D-man’s body language like an open book. If the D-man in question is my teammate? I could do it in my sleep.
I fake shooting the puck to the left, like I normally do. Luke is there but Lev, one of the freshmen, will be on him the second he gets the puck.
Lev is the opposite kind of player compared to Connor. He plays offense, but he often helps the defense when the opposing team is on a breakaway. He’s fast and has great instincts.
But I’m more experienced and at the last second I shoot right.
Connor wasn’t covering my non dominant side, and I get the puck in Tucker’s five hole. The lamp lights up and Coach calls the end of today’s practice.
“Great job today, ladies. Hit the showers, and I’ll see you all tomorrow for morning skate, bright and early.” Coach Harrison’s expression is as stony as usual, but the glint in his eyes is worth a thousand smiles.
We’re looking good and we all know it. If we keep this up and don’t fuck things up, this year we could go all the way to the playoffs. Maybe even all the way to the Frozen Four final.
The vibe in the locker room reflects our good form on the ice. Everyone is laughing and horsing around.
“Hey dude,” Luke’s hand lands on my shoulder. “Tonight the Bridgeport Warriors are playing the Washington Elks. We’re ordering pizzas at the Gamma house. Are you joining us?”
I’m glad our captain seems to be happy in the Gamma house, after giving up his room in our condo to Bex. I’m sure the fact that Shane has the room right next to him must have sweetened the deal.
