Page 8 of Hard Rock Love

3

My schedule was packed with classes, readings, essays, and studying for exams. Seth’s schedule was crammed with interviews, media events, and practicing for their tour. It was difficult to coordinate, but we managed to carve out one evening a week for a study date.

Date. My mind went to all kinds of interesting places whenever I thought of that word in relation to me and Seth. Places that had nothing to do with studying and everything to do with his lips on mine.

I forced myself to shelve those thoughts. So I had a crush on Seth. I was sure thousands of girls around the world did, too. He was a hot rock star, after all. He no doubt had legions of fans.

I had to wonder just how many of them would have killed to be in my shoes.

But on the first evening Seth and I got together to go over his assigned work, I realized those girls would have been sorely mistaken in their wish.

I hadn’t thought it would be that hard — Harry Potter was one of my favorite series of all time. I could talk about it for hours. On our first study date, I was ready to do just that.

And then…

“What do you mean, you didn’t bring the books?” I asked Seth as he strode up to the library table and set his bag down with a thump. A suspiciously light thump.

His hair was swept back from his forehead, revealing his handsome face, his strong cheekbones. My first instinct was to lean in and get lost in those lively green eyes.

Then he spoke.

“There’s, what, ten of those books or something?” he replied, shrugging. “They wouldn’t have fit in my backpack.”

“There’s seven,” I corrected. “You do own them, right?”

“Ah… Not really,” he said.

“But you’ve at least read them?” I asked.

“Uh…” He gave me an embarrassed half-smile.

“What— How—” I sputtered, indignant. “How can you compare the commonalities between Harry and Odysseus in relation to the hero’s journey when you haven’t read the books?”

“I got the CliffsNotes,” Seth said. “And I’ve seen the first movie.”

I stared at him, aghast. Hottie or not, I wasn’t about to let my tutoring charge get away with that kind of nonsense.

“No.” I shook my head firmly. “You’re reading these books if I have to tie you up and cram them down your throat.”

“Kinky.”

“You’ve got a dirty mind, Seth Powers.”

“You’ve just begun to discover the depths of my depravity,” he said with a comical waggle of his eyebrows.

I laughed despite myself.

“We’re not here for your jokes,” I said. “We’re here to help you pass your class. Which I have no idea how to do, since you haven’t done the readings.”

“I’ve had a lot on my plate.” He spun a pen through his fingers in a nervous motion. “Cerise has us practicing day and night.”

“You could always tell them—”

“No.” The pen clattered on the table as it fell out of his hands.

I picked it up and held it out to him. He took it back. Our fingers brushed. Electric sparks shot up my arm, making the hairs stand up.

I pulled my hand to my lap and met Seth’s eyes. His own looked shocked as he stared at his hand. He took the pen between his fingers and began spinning it again.