Page 59 of Academically Yours

Me: Well, prof. I don’t have class tonight, but I’m sure you already know that.

Matthew: You know that wasn’t why I was asking, Noelle.

Me: Okay… Well, I don’t have any specific plans.

Matthew: Good. Do you want to go to the Blazer’s game with me? I have an extra ticket.

I wasn’t sure how to feel: on one hand, I was a little giddy that he was inviting me somewhere again, but on the other hand, I wasn’t even his first choice. But it wasn’t like we were dating, right? Nor were we even best friends… So why was there this sinking feeling in my stomach that there was someone else that he would have rather had come with him? Maybe one of his buddies. Especially since he was asking me at the last minute.

Me: Sure, sounds like fun.

I finally typed a response back, and then leaned against the couch, shutting my eyes as I waited for his reply to come through.

Matthew: Okay. I’ll pick you up at 5:00?

Me: Yeah. You know where I live.

Matthew: See you soon, sweetheart.

I was getting increasingly used to being around Matthew, just having him around in general, but was I going to admit to him that I have barely seen any sports games and my knowledge of sports was slim at best? Absolutely not. Especially not when I thought about the fact that he told me he played basketball in college.

I groaned. I was so in over my head.

When he picked me up, I was dressed in a cute black turtleneck bodysuit and a pair of skinny jeans—what did one wear to a basketball game, anyway? I paired it with my favorite long gold necklace and a pair of ankle booties, and after surveying myself in the mirror for about the hundredth time, deciding to apply a quick coat of eye makeup and lipstick, I was finally ready when his knock came at the door.

“Hi.” I smiled, leaning on the door frame as I opened it up.

“You look beautiful.”

I blushed. Why was it that the sweet things this man would say to me were the ones that made me feel so treasured, and appreciated? I felt like I was constantly flushing red around him. “Thank you. I didn’t know what one normally wears to a basketball game, so I just guessed.”

“Well, you look great.” Matthew smiled, and I grabbed my coat and purse off the side table. “Ready to go?” he asked.

“Yep.” I pulled the door shut behind me and locked it with my keys.

~ ~ ~

“Wait, wait, wait.” I pulled at his arm, coming to a stop in the middle of the stadium. Because I was staring at him, at the tickets, and our seats, and I was sure my jaw was on the floor. He hadn’t told me that the seats were courtsideat the freaking game, and I felt grossly unprepared for watching the game right on the floor. We were there early after Matthew had secured us some snacks—I suspected he figured out that I hadn’t eaten in a few hours, because he seemed to have some sort of radar for food with me—and then he guided us to our seats, not even a hint of hesitation as he walked through the rows of benches.

“Matthew,” I hissed at him, “You didn’t tell me you got us court-sidetickets.”

“Oh, I didn’t?” he said, holding back a laugh, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

“No! You didn’t!” I whisper-yelled back, and that was when he took my hand in his free one, and I tried to ignore the sparks up my arm as our hands connected. The heat that bloomed in my chest at the warmth of his palm in mine.

After we settled into our seats, I had hardly put a piece of popcorn in my mouth when two extremely tall brunette players walked up to us.

“Um, hello?” I said, peering in between them and Matthew, catching all of the goofy grins on their faces.

What the hell was he up to?

“Noelle,” Matthew finally said, “these are my friends, Cole and Tanner.”

“You’re… what? You know them?” Oh my god, I hadn’t realized tonight involved a meet and greet with two of the actual players. I didn’t even know much about sports, but the two guys standing in front of me were tall and unmistakably handsome.

I tried to take a break from my mini-freak-out (because, hello?) and turned back to them. “Hi.” I gave a sheepish wave. “I’m Noelle.”

“It’s good to finally meet Matthew’s girl.” One of the twins drawled, and I was fairly sure if my jaw wasn’t already opened, it would have been at that.