The Jock by J.L. Beck Page 0,26

still Mia, though, the girl who had my back, who protected me against my bullies. She was my best friend through thick and thin.

“So, a guy you tutor gives you a two-hour ride out of his way, but there is nothing more?” Her expression is stone cold. She doesn’t believe me, and I can’t blame her, mainly because I’m lying. Shoving my shoulder, she says, “Stop hiding stuff from your bestie and tell me all the juicy little details. I want to know everything.”

“Where to start,” I huff, sinking back into the sleek leather. “He hit on me at a party, and I poured a beer over his head. That’s how we met.”

After a short burst of giggles, Mia clears her throat. “Continue.”

I’m glad she could get a laugh out of it.

“Well, his coach asked me to tutor him, except I didn’t know it was him. I just thought it was some football player. Then he showed up, but he was late for the session, and I already kind of didn’t like him, so I left. That same day, he showed up at my dorm, basically begging me to follow through, not to mention I had his coach on the phone doing the same thing.”

Mia beams. “Oh my god, he is so into you! Has he asked you out yet?”

“Kind of, but it’s more like, will you sit on my face, than will you go on a date with me.”

Mia snorts. “You like him, and I bet you totally want to sit on his face.”

“Maybe, I could want that, if his ego wasn’t so big.” I look out the window for a brief second. Did I seriously just admit that? Gah, Cage’s crassness must be rubbing off on me. Turning back to Mia, I continue, “You know how I am with guys like that. I hate them. I could never be with someone like him. Their favorite thing to do is manipulate. It’s always the same in the beginning. Nice and charming. They tell you everything you want to hear, and then, bam, you’re falling for them, and you’re on your back. Months later, you realize that they never really cared at all, all they wanted was a warm spot to put their cock. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.”

There is a beat of silence, and then another. My heart feels heavy in my chest. The weight of my admission and the truth of it weighs me down.

“Blair, you know you’re not your mom, right?” Mia reaches across the seat and takes my hand in hers, squeezing it gently.

“Not yet,” I reply, feeling full of shame.

I never want to be like my mother, chasing men who don’t care about her. When I find my person, I want them to love me like I love them. I want them to want me and only me, to be faithful and dedicated. I don’t want to be a notch on anyone’s bedpost.

“You will never be like your mom. Trust me on that.”

We’ll see. Swallowing thickly, I decide we need a topic change. I didn’t come all this way to sulk or complain about my life.

Smiling, I shove everything threatening to swallow me whole down. Turning the spotlight on Mia is what I need to do.

“Enough about me, tell me about Blackthorn. How’s the school? Have you made a lot of new friends?”

“Ugh, no. I don’t really fit in at this school. All of the other students grew up rich. I’m the odd one out, and it’s painfully obvious. I have like two friends, but you are my favorite for sure.” She winks at me. “We’re here,” says before I can ask her more questions.

We pull up to a fancy looking apartment complex that really has more of a hotel feel to it than anything else. Zeke parks up front and gets out of the car to open the back door for us.

“Thank you,” I say as we climb out of the car.

“You’re welcome. Here, let me get your bag,” he says, already grabbing it from my hand. Zeke is a big guy. He’s massive, thick with muscles. Even though I know for a fact he’s older than us, he’s still young-looking. His gunmetal grey eyes flash to mine, and I know there must be a past hidden in their depths. I’m curious about him and want to know more about his connection with Mia.

Mia tugs me inside, and the moment snaps away. Once we’re over the threshold, we are greeted by a man behind a large