Page 8 of Matched (LSU #5)

C licking the Save icon and exiting out of my assignment, I leaned back in my desk chair.

I still had a few more training sessions left with the LSU team—depending on my work schedule—but the first one had given me a solid basis to compare with the sessions I’d attended with the hockey and rugby teams. Taking part in the actual training rather than being there as a spectator had given me a completely different perspective, though.

For a start, I thought I was fit. I spent enough time at the gym, after all, but right now my muscles ached in places they’d never ached before.

Then there was the fact that instead of watching the players practise, I’d been watched by the spectators. And one of those spectators happened to be Sophie Glover, who had given me her number.

I hadn’t texted her yet. I should, though. I’d told her I would.

Reaching for my phone, I opened the group chat I had with a few of the guys from my course. There was a loose plan for a coffee-slash-study session after Tuesday’s anatomy and physiology lecture, so I tapped out a quick message to see if anyone minded me inviting a few extra people.

When I’d received confirmation from my course mates that no one minded, I scrolled to my contacts and found Sophie’s name.

Me:

Hi Sophie, it’s Charlie Brooks

I wandered down to the kitchen while I waited for her reply, pre-heating the oven so I could cook a frozen pizza for my dinner. Taking a seat at the kitchen table, I greeted my housemate JJ, who was tentatively sipping a smoothie that was an interesting shade of green.

“Alright? What’s that?” I indicated my head towards his cup.

“It’s a test recipe. I’m trying to perfect it for Killian.”

“My sister makes a lot of homemade smoothies, if you want any ideas. Is it for him to have at work?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Kill relies too much on black coffee, so I wanted to make him a healthy alternative. Some days he’s really busy and doesn’t even have time to eat properly.”

I racked my brain, trying to remember what my sister used. “I know there’s one she makes sometimes with berries and avocados. It’s meant to be a brain boosting thing. Want me to get the recipe?”

JJ shot me a bright smile. “Thanks, that would be great. Nothing too sweet, though. Kill doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth.”

“Unlike you.”

He laughed. “True.”

I left him to finish up his experimental smoothie, shoving my pizza in the oven before sending Gem a quick text. As I hit Send, a reply came through from Sophie.

Sophie:

Hi Charlie! I was hoping I’d hear from you! How are you?

Me:

Good. If you’re free on Tuesday afternoon do you want to come for coffee and a study session? A group of us are going after our lecture. Bring a few friends. It’s just a casual thing

Sophie:

That sounds great! What time? My seminar finishes at 3. I’m sure my friends would be interested

Me:

We’re meeting at 3 so that works. First floor of the library. The big tables at the back. We normally get coffee from the machines and pretend to study

Sophie:

Great! See you there!

My screen lit up again, and I blinked, a smile tugging at my lips when I saw the name of someone I hadn’t expected to hear from.

Nate:

Feeling sore after yesterday?

Me:

Yeah. You worked me hard

Nate:

That sounded a bit suggestive

It wasn’t me working you hard, it was Travis

Me:

It’s your brain making it suggestive. Don’t blame me

Yeah but I had to keep up with you

Nate:

Found it a struggle, did you?

Me:

I guess that life of crime keeps you extra fit, mugger

Nate:

So funny

The message was followed by a selfie of Nate with an unamused expression on his face.

“Someone’s happy.”

“Huh?” My head flew up to see JJ smirking at me.

“You’re smiling at your phone like someone sent you the hottest dick pic you’ve ever seen.”

“I am not ! What the fuck, JJ? If I had a dick pic, I definitely wouldn’t be smiling about it.”

“I would, if it was from Killian.”

“Please. Stop right there,” I begged, and my housemate laughed.

“Okay, if you insist.” He stood, carrying his smoothie cup over to the sink where he rinsed it out. “I’m off to work now. See you later.”

When he was gone, I returned to my conversation with Nate, beginning with a photo of my pizza cooking.

Why I felt the sudden urge to send him a picture of my dinner, I couldn’t say.

We texted back and forth for a while, and by the time I finished eating, he revealed his original reason for texting me.

Nate:

I was supposed to pass on a message from Jonas. Can you fill in the feedback form for the app? I’ll send the link

A few seconds later, a link came through, and I bookmarked it on my web browser.

Me:

I’m assuming he doesn’t want me to mention the mix up that happened twice

Nate:

Preferably not

Me:

Guess I can’t complain too much. I got to know a real life mugger

And between you and Jonas I managed to get a new job

And met your sister .

Nate:

That was all you

Me:

Thanks either way

Hey you know those ladder drills Travis made us do yesterday? Do you do them every time?

Nate:

Not every time

Me:

I need to make a note of that for my assignment

Nate:

You know Travis would be happy to answer any questions for your assignment

But you can ask me anything, anytime

My smile widened.

Me:

Does that include asking for mugging tips?

Joking. Thanks, I appreciate it

Nate:

You’re welcome. I’d better go now. I’m meant to be cooking dinner for Jonas and his girlfriend. Have a good evening. Make sure you rest your muscles

Me:

You too and I will. I might not be at the next training session because I have to work, but I’ll see you soon

Nate:

See you soon, pinball prince