Free A Different Side (University Park #4) by CM Doporto Page B

reason she was doing that: she obviously liked me, even though she acted like she didn’t. I considered telling her to fess up, but like Josh said, I really didn’t know her well enough. It was better to play it safe.
    Me: That’s okay. I hit the winking smiley face and hit send. I would’ve loved to have seen the expression on her face. Something told me she probably turned five shades of pink. My goal wasn’t to embarrass her. Get under her skin? Yes. Make her uncomfortable? No. I wanted Lexi to like being around me. The best approach for that — just be myself.
    Lexi: Let’s meet at the library at five.
    I cringed as I read the message. Hopefully Beth wasn’t working today. If she was, I’d just have to tell her I’d call her later. She’d understand. They always did.
    Me: See you then.
    I tried not to get excited about meeting her. After all, it was a tutoring session. Not a date. But something within me, in the very center of my stomach, stirred. It circled around and around, causing my insides to feel light. And, for whatever reason, I imagined what it would be like to take her on a date. I snubbed the crazy thought. Crossing my arms, I leaned back in the chair. What was Lexi doing at this very moment? What was she thinking? Was she upset over accidently sending me that text? I wouldn’t bring it up. No. I just wanted to get to know her. And that’s what I would do.
     
    ***
     
    Practice dragged and no matter how hard I tried to focus, I couldn’t. Lexi Thompson was on my mind and refused to leave. The harder I tried not to think about her, the more I did. Coach played clips from Saturday’s game, grilling us on all our mishaps. Watching the mistakes was grueling. We should’ve won the game. I didn’t want to focus on the errors I’d made, even though I needed to learn from them. No, I wanted to think about the upcoming game Friday night. It was a big one and we were going to win it.
    As soon as practice was over, I rushed into the locker room and straight to the showers. I got dressed at lightning speed, but took a minute to put on deodorant and cologne, just in case I still smelled like sweat.
    “Hey, man, what’s the rush?” Shawn asked as I shoved my feet into my boots.
    I bent over and tied the laces. “I’ve got an appointment at five for tutoring.”
    Shawn huffed. “You have five minutes to get there.”
    Glancing at the clock near the door, I verified what he’d said. “Shit. I’m going to be late. Again.” I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door. “See you later.”
    “Alright. See ya, man,” Shawn said as I flew past him.
    I waved to Josh and a few other players as I darted out the door. My hands fumbled for my keys in my bag as I descended the stairs two at a time. Checking the time on my phone, I contemplated whether I should drive or walk there. I was on the other side of campus, and chances were it would be hard to find parking. I unlocked my car and tossed my bag in the back. A strong gust of wind whipped by me, kicking up dirt and leaves. I grabbed my leather jacket feeing the cooler weather coming.
    Digging my phone out of my pocket, I sent Lexi a quick text.
    Me: Hey Lexi. Just got out of practice. I’m on the way.
    I tucked my phone in my back pocket, looped my backpack through my arms, and ran to the library as if I were running to score a touchdown. Then again, maybe I was. Who knew what would happen between Lexi and me?
    Putting on the brakes, I skidded to a stop. Sweat collected along my brow and I quickly wiped it away, glad I had sprayed the cologne. The last thing I wanted was to smell like a locker room of sweaty guys. Pulling the phone from my pocket, I checked the time. It was a few minutes after five — barely late. I walked toward the front door of the library and stopped. If Beth was working, it would be better if she saw me walk in with Lexi…unless Lexi was already inside.
    I whipped out my phone and sent another text.
    Me: I’m here at the