Page 13

Chapter Twelve

H endy

The soft knock on my door has my eyes flying open and my head popping up from the book it’s currently planted in.

“Yeah?” I ask, my voice sounding gravely from sleep. I rub my cheek where it was smashed against the textbook and glance down at the time on my phone. It reads 9:45 p.m. I must’ve fallen asleep over an hour ago.

The door creaks open and Grace’s face comes into view as she pushes through into my bedroom.

“How’s it going in here?” she asks, peering around the mess. I comb the hair back from my eyes. “I thought you could use a study break snack.”

My stomach rumbles when she steps in and hands a plate of food out at me, topped with a sandwich, chips and a very large slice of cake leftover from Journey’s birthday party.

Grace walks over to my desk and sets the plate down on a stack of books.

“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” I grab for the sandwich and take a huge bite, my mouth filling with the sweet and tangy flavor of pastrami and mustard. My favorite.

She plops down on the study chair, folds her legs into a pretzel, and tucks her feet underneath her butt. Her dark hair is damp from a recent shower and she has on her cat pajamas and glasses. She gives me a serious look.

“How are you coming with your plans to win over your professor?”

I let my eyes drift back to my open laptop, now dark because it shut down while I was sleeping. I bring it back to life with a touch of the track pad. The screen lights up and the words I’d written on the page reappear.

“It’s good. I think I’m almost done with the first draft. Tomorrow, I plan to edit it and then I have the meeting with the dean to submit it.”

“Nice going, Hendy.” Gracie lifts her palm toward me and I give her a high five. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think you had it in you to pull this off.”

I scoff. “Come on now…I’m way more brilliant than the oaf you call your boyfriend.”

She squeaks incredulously and punches me in the arm. “Hey! Don’t be disparaging of my man. Killian is smart where it counts.”

I snort out in laughter and roll my eyes. “How is farm boy these days anyway? We haven’t had a chance to talk lately because of our schedules.”

A dreamy expression appears on her face and she smiles wistfully. My God, this girl has it bad for my friend. It’s kind of cute. She and Killer are complete opposites. Grace is a sweet and highly intelligent STEM student, and Killian is a big lug of a man who works with animals and crops on his family’s farm in Iowa.

“Killian’s good. He’s been super busy getting that farm updated to all the new standards, but they’ve had a great harvest this fall so far. He’s planning on coming for a visit over Halloween weekend.”

I look at the calendar and can’t believe how fast the time has gone. Since starting my new role on the football team staff, I’ve barely managed to get time to sleep. Between attending classes, coaching, and getting ahead on this brilliant plan of Grace’s to win over Lottie, I’m working my fucking ass off each and every day. It’s exhausting. But I’m following the advice of Grace and working on my plan to have Lottie in my life as someone other than my professor. As someone I’d like to call my girlfriend.

“That’s cool. Maybe by then, if she’ll have me, I can take this public, and she can come to our Halloween party.”

Gracie literally bounces in her seat and claps her hands together. “Oh my God, that would be so awesome. When’s your meeting scheduled?”

Now it’s me who wears a dopey big heart-eyes expression on my face as I think about how great it would be if my plan works out. I know where Professor Butler stands on the whole dating a student issue. Which is why this plan we’ve come up with—the one that has me breaking my back to finish my coursework—should move things in the right direction.

“It’s Monday, when Lottie returns from her hiking trip.”

Grace stands up from her seat and ruffles my hair with her hand before she heads to the door.

“I hope you can get some rest between now and then. You’ll need it.”

“Why’s that?” I ask.

She glances over her shoulder with a saucy wink. “Obvs because of the massive amount of make-up sex you’ll be having.”

My friend is a smart woman. I like the sound of that.

* * *

I sit across the deep-grained dark mahogany desk from Dean Becker, who leans back casually in his leather chair, and chat amiably with him about football while we wait for Lottie to arrive.

“You know, Hendy, I’m very impressed with what you’ve accomplished in such a short time. We are lucky to have a young man who has this much passion for achieving his goals.”

It’s funny. I used to be immune to those in authority roles doing what I thought was blowing smoke up my ass. I used to bring this university money with my starring role as QB One, after all. But now I’m just a normal guy on campus, even though I’m now part of the coaching staff and I now see it for the compliment that it’s meant to be.

I’d called and requested this meeting with the dean so I could put all my cards on the table, so to speak. I care about Lottie and don’t want to do anything to damage her reputation and career as an instructor at this educational institution. I’d rather take the hit on my own and keep her out of the fray until the time I can make my public grand gesture.

“Thanks, Dean.” I clear my throat. “The past four plus years at CFU have been the best of my life, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and who I want to be. Especially this semester in Professor Butler’s course. She’s taught me…”

How to love. But I can’t say that.

I rub the back of my neck, hoping he doesn’t see through me and the reason I’m here.

“Professor Butler has taught me to pursue the things I want most in life and how to work hard to get them.”

Dean nods, his expression indecipherable. His brows narrow, as if he’s trying to read between the lines.

Folding his hands on his lap, he smiles tightly. “That’s good to hear. As you know, Professor Butler is new to our school this year and is in her probationary period. She is being evaluated on academic course assessments, peer reviews, and of course, student evaluations.”

Just then, there’s a knock, and the dean’s eyes divert from me to the door behind me. “Come in, please.”

I remain composed, but the moment I turn my head to look at her, I lose my breath. Lottie walks in, her green eyes holding a bright smile for the dean, and then she literally jerks back and her smile diminishes when her gaze lands on me.

“Oh, excuse me. I thought we were meeting, sir,” she says in apology, confusion etched across her beautiful face.

Dean gestures with a hand toward the chair next to mine. “Yes, please sit, Professor Butler. Mr. Henderson is the one who requested that we all meet together. I apologize I didn’t make that clear in my meeting invite to you.”

With one quick look, I can read the burning question on Lottie’s mind: What the hell are you doing?

“Hello, Professor,” I say in my most charming and unassuming voice. “Thanks for joining us today. You probably didn’t expect to see me in the dean’s office.”

She moves gracefully toward the chair, her fragrant scent wafting in the space between us, and I have to grab hold of the chair arms to steady myself. Do not fuck this up , I remind myself.

Once settled, she crosses one leg over the other and peers at me.

“What can we do for you, Mr. Henderson?”

Oh fuck. What can’t she do for me?

She can turn me on. Turn me out. And turn me into a sappy, lovesick puppy.

But I keep those thoughts out of my head and off my face. That’s step two of my plan. First, I need to get through Step One.

I lay my palm flat on the folder in my lap. In it is everything I need to move forward with my plan.

Operation: Make Lottie my Girlfriend .

“As you may or may not know, Professor, I recently accepted a job on the football team’s coaching staff.”

Lottie quirks an eyebrow. “Yes, I may have heard something about that. Congratulations, Mr. Henderson.”

The corner of my mouth curves in a smile. “Thank you. American football , of course.”

Her eyes twinkle at our inside joke.

I continue. “After much consideration, I’ve decided the best way to manage my limited time and to give my team the focus it deserves is for me to complete your course early. I have come prepared to submit my final paper to you in advance of the semester deadline.”

“Very admirable, Mr. Henderson,” Dean Becker interjects, pride in his voice. As if I’m doing him a favor. He glances at Lottie and leans forward. “Do you have any objections with his early submission, Professor Butler?”

I hand over the file folder that contains all the coursework from the syllabus and my final paper that I’ve worked on night and day over the weekend. When our fingers touch, a current of electricity runs up my arm.

When she accepts the folder, I notice a slight tremble of her hands. She opens it up, flipping through the printed-out assignments and paper.

“I printed it out for you, but I’ve also uploaded it all in the student portal for your review.”

“Well, this is highly unusual…” she says cautiously.

“But I’m sure we can make the exception for Hendy, don’t you?” The dean has stated it in the form of a question, but with an eyebrow raised. Lottie squirms in her chair uncomfortably.

I jump in, not wanting Lottie to feel bulldozed by any of this. I want her to see this as a good thing for both of us.

“Professor, I have learned so much while in your class. You’re a wonderful instructor and you’ve made learning about marketing very interesting. I’d remain in your class if I could.” I catch her gaze, my eyes blazing with meaning. I want her to know I’m doing this for her. Because I love her. “I just thought this would be a win-win and help me in my current situation .”

I let the words dangle between us. She knows what situation I’m referring to. The situation of the two of us being in a relationship, exploring what’s already started to grow between us.

The dean, however, thinks this is all about my new coaching position. He just smiles, like he’s proud of my efficiency.

Lottie chews on her bottom lip, glancing down at the papers, then to me, and finally to the dean.

“I’ll review everything this evening and let you know tomorrow if anything has been missed. Assuming it’s all in order, I’ll submit your final grade before the fall break.”

“Thank you for your time and consideration, Professor,” I say, my eyes pleading with Lottie to understand why I’ve asked this of her, begging her to see that I’ve done this for us both.

It’s my Hail Mary pass.

Let’s hope it’s enough to score and win the game.

* * *

Two Weeks Later

The grade popped up in my email inbox earlier this morning before I left for the morning practice. I waited to open it up and read it now as I walk across campus toward the field house.

Lottie gave me a B+.

I choke out a laugh loud enough to garner questionable looks from a few students around me in the quad. Although, they’re the ones who should get the weird looks since they’re all dressed up as alien creatures.

That’s right. I nearly forgot that today is Halloween and the girls are throwing a Halloween party at our house.

It’ll be great to see EJ and Killer, who are both back in town for a long overdue weekend visit. They even have tickets to tomorrow’s Bears football game.

But it will be even better if I can convince Lottie to be my date to the party.

I veer course and turn in the other direction, toward Cameron Hall and Professor Butler’s classroom.

Class begins in about ten minutes, so I have to book it if I want to get to her before she starts her seminar. The one I was a student in until two weeks ago.

My heart rate has sped up as I enter the building, rush-climb the stairs, and take a sharp left down the corridor. The doors to the room are open and there’s a handful of students milling around, but I barely notice them. I have one goal in mind and she’s at the front.

Lottie is next to the podium speaking with a classmate who always had a ton of questions during every session. She doesn’t see my approach until I am standing behind the other woman, who is yammering on about the European markets and her trip to Greece.

Lottie’s eyes grow wide and her forehead creases when she notices me. I give her my most charming smile.

The girl turns her head to see I’m standing behind her and seems to take the hint when I give her that look that says, wrap it up, lady .

“Oh, excuse me, Hendy. I was just asking Professor Butler a question. She’s all yours.”

I snicker at this because she has no idea how close to the truth that is. Or will be, I hope. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

When the woman moves out of earshot, I step in close. It catches Lottie by surprise, and she wobbles backward, but I catch her by the shoulders. Her eyes drift in alarm past my shoulder to the other students, and I shake my head.

“Let them see this.”

And then I frame her face in my hands and seal my mouth over hers, tasting her warmth. The kiss is deep as my tongue makes a wet sweep inside. Sparks race through my blood with an electric excitement I haven’t felt in weeks.

The feeling is short-lived, though, when a loud wolf whistle from the crowd carries down to where we stand, interrupting our kiss. Lottie jerks back, a palm pressed against my chest, and a surprised gasp is expelled from the lips I just tasted.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

I tilt my head to the side. “It’s not obvious?”

She stammers a few words in gibberish, shaking her head.

Then I take her hand in mine, pulling her to my side before I wrap an arm around her waist and tug her into me.

Addressing the class, which is now full of curious stares and censoring glances, I make my plan a reality.

“Many of you know me,” I begin, and there’s some applause and shouts across the room. “You know me as the Bears’ QB. You know me as the guy on campus with a bad reputation when it comes to dating.” More long whistles and a lot of snickers.

I take Lottie’s hand and bring it to my heart, my hand covering hers.

“What you may not know is that I’ve fallen in love. I’ve never loved a woman before Lottie. Er, Charlotte,” I correct. “I’m a man who has made a lot of mistakes in my past, but meeting Lottie has changed me. She’s taught me valuable lessons about myself and that when it comes to love, it’s better to give than receive. And right now, all I want to do is give everything I am to be with the woman I love.”

Thunderous cheers and applause erupt throughout the room, but it’s all drowned out by the crushing drum of my heartbeat in my ears.

Lottie stands there shell-shocked. I turn her so she’s facing me and join both our hands together at our chests.

“Lottie, I love you. I’ve missed you and want to be with you. I want to make this official because now the rules have changed. The only question is whether you’ll have me?”

I stare into her bright green eyes that now sparkle with unshed tears. She licks her bottom lip. “Will you be my girlfriend, Lottie?”

“I…I…oh, bugger. I can’t believe you pulled a Jerry Maquire on me.”

“What’s that?”

She rolls her eyes. “Never mind. It’s not important.”

“But you are important to me. Will you say yes?”

“Yes, Joel,” she gives me a watery smile that has my stomach doing a touchdown dance. “My answer is yes.”