“Abby.” I wait until I have her full attention. “Ihaveto ace this class, or I can’t get into med school. It isn’t an option for me. So… trust me when I say,I’ll make the time.”
A strange expression morphs onto her face. A cross somewhere between shock and admiration. I’m not sure which wins out as she simply stares at me in disbelief. Her jaw drops as if this tidbit of news apparently has rendered her speechless.
Ten seconds pass. Twenty. When things move past the point of her silence turning awkward, I end the torture with, “Abby? Everything okay?”
“But… you’re… here on an athletic scholarship.”
Great. She thinks I’m just a dumb jock. Perfect. “Uh… last I checked, doctors can play sports, too,” flies out of my mouth acidly.
She pulls back and blinks as if my words have slapped her across the face. “No… that’s not what I meant,” she responds, and her eyes fill with regret. Fuck. I probably should listen to her explanation before jumping to anymore conclusions. No sense in making a complete ass out of myself.
Abby takes in a deep breath and continues, “I’m trying to process how you’re doing it all?” It comes out as both a statement and question. I can’t help the smirk that comes out.
“Trust me. It hasn’t been easy.”
Before I can say anything, she continues, “I’m busting my ass to get into med school, and I’m not playing basketball… at a Division-One school for that matter… How the heck are you keeping your scholarship and acing your classes? Do you have a magical Time-Turner I have yet to discover?”
I feel my lips quirk, and I know without a doubt, Abby didn’t have any malice in her words from before. “Uh… No, as far as I know, only Hermione’s been able to have one of those. I just keep my nose to the ground and do it the old-fashioned way… lots of hard work and studying.”
“That would be pretty awesome though, wouldn’t it?” Abby looks to the sky in awe. “Not having to worry about time management as strictly as I’m sure you do.”
“No kidding. J.K. Rowling’s mind sure is diabolical. The things she comes up with are beyond brilliant. I devoured theHarry Potterseries once I was old enough to read them on my own.” I chuckle at the memory. “It was the first fiction series I’d ever been interested in reading. My mom wouldn’t let me watch any of the movies until I’d read the books. It was a huge motivator.”
“Mine were the same way,” Abby commiserates. “But as soon as I started book one, I was glad I didn’t have to wait for the next. Can you believe when they were originally released, people had to wait a year for the next one? I can’t imagine that kind of dedication and agony. I read the entire series in weeks.”
“Me, too,” I admit.
Vanessa stops to check if we need anything else. When both of us claim we’re full, she lays the check on the table. Abby’s reflexes are as quick as a snake. I can’t even process it’s hit the table before she whisks it away in her hand. “My treat. You bought dinner last night. It’s the least I can do.”
“Abby.” I attempt to sound firm. “No one should pay on their birthday. Besides, I asked you.” I reach out for the check, but Abby isn’t having it.
“Too bad.” She juts out her chin in a ‘don’t mess with me’ way.
Realizing she won’t concede, I shake my head and give in. “Okay. You can pay… but I’ll leave the tip. Deal?” I suggest as a compromise.
“Deal.” Abby’s face lights up like she’s just won the world championship, and all I can do is smile in return. She sure is competitive.
As I walkinto the locker room to change into my practice gear, I’m greeted by DeShawn Miller. His sly smile tells me he’s up to something. Since his locker’s next to mine, I set into changing, knowing he’ll say what’s on his mind soon enough.
Just as I’m tying my shoes, DeShawn doesn’t disappoint. “So… Are the rumors true? Did Mr. ‘I Don’t Date During the Season’ shake his tail on the dance floor last night and stay out past curfew?”
Instead of dignifying his assumption, I just stare blankly in his direction. No sense in getting caught up in gossip, even if it’s true.
DeShawn cocks an eyebrow and waits patiently. We’ve been friends since I arrived at CRU. Between him and Grey Gibbons, they probably know me best. Grey chooses this time to take a seat on the other side of me as I tie my shoes on the bench near my locker.
“Dude, I saw you myself. There’s no point in denying it. You might as well be straight with us.” He looks to DeShawn and back to me before asking, “So, who is she?”
I go with the truth as I have nothing to hide. “It was Abby, my lab partner’s birthday. I inadvertently asked her to finish a project last night and didn’t know it was her birthday until she arrived at my place. So… I rectified it.”
“Dude.” Grey’s eyes go so wide, it’s almost comical. “That’s what you’re calling it these days?” Then he turns to DeShawn. “Where can I get a lab partner like that? She was h—o—t—hot! I’m telling you, man. Jacobs was shaking it, like it was 1999. I never thought I’d see the day.” He shakes his head like he still can’t believe the thought I’d have a life. What a dick. Sure, I typically don’t go out during the season, but it’s not like I’ve never been out with the guys. He fucking knows this, too.
“Andrew Jacobs,” DeShawn mocks in a voice that could pass as his mother’s. “Is that the type of studying you’re into these days? I thought you only knew about chemistry in books… maybe you have game after all.”
“Seriously.” I could cut Grey in half with the daggers I’m sending his way. “Show some respect. I simply made sure Abby was safe for her twenty-one-run. Don’t make it any bigger than it is. I was their DD and wasn’t out too late either, so you can shut your traps about spreading rumors,” I warn.
Knowing these guys are among my best friends, I don’t have to worry too much. The fact that Grey was out after curfew is something I’m about to ask about, but Coach bellows, “Two minutes,” and we quickly get our gear on and rush out to the court without discussing it further. I know this won’t be the end of their inquisition, but for now, it’s time to focus on practice. As I walk to the court, I can’t help but wonder,what is it about Abby that I can’t seem to walk away from?
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