Free First and Goal (Moving the Chains #1) by Kata Čuić Page B

know anything about me, either. I’m trying here, Eva. There’s only so much I can do if you’re gonna keep pushing me away though.” I run a shaky hand through my hair. This whole situation is so insane. There’s no way to know if she’s actually listening or just biding her time until she can escape my presence.
    “Look, I don’t really know what happened between you and Eddie last year but you have to stop treating me like I’m him. Because I’m not.”
    “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to make you so angry. I just…I had to be sure. The only reason guys talk to me now is because they think I’m easy.” A shudder racks her body. She wraps her arms tightly around herself in that way that’s so familiar.
    I’m so ashamed of myself. I’m just as much of a hypocrite as she is. Anything else I can take in stride but that rumor always makes me lose my temper.
    That one damn time in the locker room that everyone thought it would be funny to get out the measuring tape has haunted me for years. It seemed like a good idea, a way to get the guys off my case for being a virgin. Man, did that backfire. After seeing what God gave me, they only harassed me more for not using it.
    That’s part of the reason that particular rumor always gets to me. Evie thinks it benefits me. Nope. Everyone thinks me having a huge dick is funny or that I’m lucky. Apparently, eight inches isn’t newsworthy enough because the number has creeped up over time. How fucking ridiculous is the concept of a ten-inch dick? Why would anyone even want that? I guess it would be awesome to be so well-hung if your aspiration in life is to be a porn star. That’s not who I am or what I’m about. Although that’s just one more thing I have to hide. Jesus, the guys would have a field day if I admitted any of that aloud.
    “I’m sorry, okay?”
    Her apology pulls me from my wallowing. “No. I’m sorry. I need to learn to control my temper better. I just reamed you out for letting rumors change you, and I go and do the same thing. I had no right to talk to you like that. I would never, ever disrespect you by doing anything to hurt you or anything that you didn’t want. I wouldn’t do that to anyone. I’m not that kind of guy, Eva. I never have been, and I never will be. Please , please forgive me.”
    She sucks in her lips then releases a heavy sigh. “I can take people thinking I’m a slut. I know the truth and so does Eddie. What’s hard is people thinking I’m a horrible person. I’m really not. At least, I try not to be. But I’ve been horrible to you, and I’m sorry. I totally understand if you don’t want to tutor me anymore.”
    “You still want me to tutor you?”
    It seems like she’s throwing this on me, to see if I’ll back out first. I know I should probably just walk away, but I can’t.
    She takes a deep breath. “Yes. I need the help. I would appreciate it very much.”
    “All right then. I can do that. And I understand that you don’t really trust people anymore, especially people of the male persuasion. I meant what I said before. I won’t expect your trust. I’ll earn it. Okay?”
    “Just go easy on me if I slip up and act like a bitch again. I’ve been doing this for a while. Old habits die hard and all that.”
    My stomach growls. Embarrassment, hot and sure, creeps up my neck. “Sorry. I told you I didn’t grab a snack so I could take a shower for you.”
    Her laughter is subdued but a welcome sound, anyway. She digs in her backpack for a minute in silence, then sets a granola bar on my calc book.
    “What’s this?”
    “Food,” she responds. Her tone suggests I’m a blind idiot.
    “I know that. It’s just…why would you give me anything?”
    “Peace offering.” She gives me a small smile and turns to open her book to the page mine is on.
    I wonder if I’m actually sleeping through class right now, dreaming. If I am, then this ranks as one of the weirdest dreams of my life. “Time to keep