Page 2 of The Surprise Play (Nolan U Football #3)

WILY

Shit, I’m so fucking late.

If this Elizabeth chick hadn’t texted me to tell me what part of the library she was in, I’d still be lying in bed, happily dozing my morning away.

I set my alarm.

I set two!

But I’m still recovering after an epic New Year’s Eve bash that kept me up the entire night. I spent yesterday sleeping, so then I was up half the night, and now my body’s all out of whack.

I can’t believe I’m having to spend part of my winter break studying.

I want to keep celebrating our epic quarterfinal win!

I definitely don’t want to think about school and how I have an assignment due on Monday.

It was actually due weeks ago, but my academic adviser helped organize an extension for me due to football commitments.

The professor wasn’t very happy about it, but he gave me the winter break to get it done .

The problem is, my tutor quit on me and I haven’t been able to find a decent replacement, so my final assignment for that course is still hanging over my head, and if I don’t get it in on Monday, then I’ll fail the class and not have enough credits to graduate.

Shit!

I’ve tried to choose the easiest courses I can for this semester in the hopes that I can sail through to the finish line, get my degree, and then go on to be an NFL superstar.

But I can’t fucking graduate if I don’t pass all my classes. I’m hanging on by a thread, and I fucking hate it.

Accelerating down my street, I pause at the stop sign, too distracted to look properly before punching onto the road and gunning it for the library.

My phone starts ringing and I groan, thinking it’s this new tutor about to bitch at me for being late, but then I spot Butt Face on the screen. Thank fuck for that.

“Hey, Blakey,” I greet her.

“’Sup, big bro. Happy New Year and all that shit.”

I snicker. “You’re a day late.”

“Like I was going to disturb you yesterday. I figured you’d be sleeping all day.”

“You figured right.”

She snorts. “How hard did you party?”

“Just the usual amount after winning a quarterfinal game and seeing in the new year.”

“So a lot, then.”

I laugh. “A lot.”

She laughs, too, and I glance at my phone screen, noting the time and wincing. I’m so fucking late!

“So, why are you calling, sis? ”

“Just checking in.”

“You heading back to Chicago today?”

“Yep. Figured I’d get into the swing of things before classes resume on Monday.”

“I’m sure you’re gonna have a killer semester. You aced everything the first half of your year. You clever little freshman shit.”

She lets out a croaky laugh. “I’m no smarter than you.”

“And that’s a bit of bullshit right there.”

“Oh stop. You are not stupid.”

“And she just keeps piling on the applesauce.” I snicker, hitting my left blinker and turning into the Nolan U campus library parking lot. “I honestly don’t care that I’m a dumb fuck, because I’m a great football player. That’s my thing. It’s all that matters.”

“Wily, you?—”

“I’m here.”

“Where?”

I flick off the engine and gaze up at the building with a sigh. “My first torture session of the new year.”

“Physical therapy?” Blake asks.

I laugh. “No. Tutoring session.”

“Oh! With… Lemon Face?”

“Her name’s not Lemon Face,” I grit out.

“Well, whatever it is… good luck, bro!” She chortles and makes me promise to call her afterward and tell her how bad it was. “And don’t let me hear that you ended up doing her in the back stacks or something.”

I roll my eyes, wishing I hadn’t overshared at Christmas.

“I’m not going to do my new tutor. ”

“You did the last one.”

Clenching my jaw, I reach for my phone. “Hanging up now.”

“Just go in with an open mind. She’s there to help you, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I grab my bag, checking that my assignment is in there. “I just hope she’ll see things my way and do me a solid, you know?”

“You mean do the assignment for you?”

“Of course that’s what I mean.”

She laughs. “Just put on some of that Wily charm and I’m sure she’ll be putty in your hands.”

I grin, scratching my whiskers and hoping my sister’s right. This tutor chick didn’t seem overly chill and pliable when I spoke to her on the phone, but maybe I’ll have more impact in the flesh, you know? Face-to-face is always best.

“Okay, I really gotta go.”

“Yeah, me too. Have a great sesh, brother, and text me after, okay?”

“’Kay. Love ya, butt face.”

“Love you, too, shithead.”

With a grin, I pocket my phone and head into the library, grateful for Blake’s call.

I was feeling kind of dark about this whole thing, but my little sister’s right.

I need to find my inner chill and friendly smile.

Girls love me, and this one will too. I just have to play my cards right, put on a flirty smile, and work my magic.

I’ll have her eating out of my hand by the end of the hour, and then I can enjoy the rest of my winter break knowing my assignment is being taken care of.