Schooling the Jock (Nerds Vs Jocks #1) - - Eli Easton Page 0,52

it’s quite possible, if I’m being honest,” I went on, “that I got a little carried away. You know, in the heat of the moment. I really wanted to kiss you.”

Jesse still didn’t speak, but his expression softened, and his cheeks went a little pink.

“But doing that at the library was asinine. And thoughtless,” I admitted, scolding myself. “I wasn’t trying to out you. I swear. I hope you know I would never do that.”

His jaw tightened. “Fine.”

“No, it’s really not. Whatever your deal is, and why ever that, um, deal exists…Okay, that doesn’t make sense. What I’m trying to say is that your reasons for being…not out. Or whatever. That’s your business, not mine. I’m sorry I just…invaded your privacy. And your mouth. Though not entirely sorry, if you know what I mean.”

Jesse looked heavenward. “Shut up, Dobbs.”

“I will. I will completely shut up. I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry. I’m—”

“Sorry? Yeah. Got it. Thanks.” At least the corners of his mouth seemed to tug upward a little.

I probably would have blathered more except the rest of the guys came out. There were hellos all around, and we loaded up the SUV with all our gear. We’d already had dinner, but Felix brought a bag of tortilla chips, and he and Sai sat in the back with Jesse so they could share. Felix sat in the middle because Sai bitched nonstop if he wasn’t next to a door. I sat in the front passenger seat while Jax drove—which was our usual configuration—and Jesse was right behind me. The trip was only about an hour and a half, which wasn’t bad. We could even have driven in the morning except we had to be at the meet at 8:30, and getting Felix moving and out of the house by 7 a.m. was more hell than anyone could bear. Besides, going away to Quiz Bowl and staying in a hotel was part of the fun.

Even though I wasn’t sitting near Jesse and couldn’t see him, it felt to me like the tension between us had eased. In the back seat, Jesse crunched tortilla chips and joked around with Felix, his voice light. Maybe he wasn’t still mad. Maybe my overabundant apology had worked. Thank God.

Or maybe that ease in tension was all in my head. Maybe I’d just offloaded some of my own guilt with that apology, but I’d still take it.

We told stupid jokes as we drove—the lamer the better. There was a long, rambling story Jax told that had the punchline about “Leaving my Harp in Sam Clam’s Disco”. Felix told a bunch of the worst knock-knock jokes ever, and Jesse had one about a nun rolling down the stairs. Sai complained if any part of Felix touched any part of him. I was so relieved by the relaxation of hostilities between me and Jesse, I had more tolerance for the bad jokes than I usually did.

“Did you eat?” I suddenly thought to ask Jesse as we passed an exit with a McDonald’s. I turned in my seat to look at him.

“I’m good. I had dinner at our house,” he said.

“I could go for a chocolate milkshake,” Felix put in. “If you were worried about me, Dobbs.”

“I wasn’t.”

Felix pouted. “But I’m a growing boy. Pretty please with a cherry on top?”

So Jax pulled off at the next fast-food place, and Felix got a large milkshake and decided to add a Big Mac and fish sandwich too. I bought a couple of small fries and passed them around.

Jax pulled back onto the highway. “I have no idea where you put it, Felix.”

“Well, there’s at least one part of him that’s overweight,” I quipped.

“So I’ve heard,” said Jax.

Sai snorted. “Can confirm. I room with the guy. There’s hardly room for the three of us in there.”

That made me laugh so hard I choked on my fries.

“You’re just jealous, Dobbs,” Felix told me, deliberately sucking on his straw.

I rolled my eyes. “Nope. I’m fine with what I’ve got.” I looked over my shoulder, ostensibly at Felix but really to get a glimpse of Jesse. He was munching on fries and looking studiously out the window. If talking about penises affected him, he didn’t show it.

“Uh, guys?” Jesse asked. “How does the hotel work? I meant to ask before we left.” His tone was casual, but I knew the cost mattered to him.

I spoke up. “The SMT house sponsors Quiz Bowl. When we have to go away like this,