Page 12 of Troublemaker

It was one of the hardest educational paths: vet school admissions were even more competitive than med school. It was one of the reasons why I’d wanted to go to Reina originally; they had a much better pre-vet program. Instead, I was doing my best here at Tabb, and praying that my grades, extracurriculars, volunteering, internships, and recommendation letters would be enough.

I doubted working for the hockey team as an assistant would do much, unless the admissions people were hockey fans.

“What did you need, professor?” I asked her when she reached me.

She seemed out of breath. “I have news—good news. Reina and Tabb are starting a joint pre-veterinary program, with shared courses and curriculum. The students who are accepted can be enrolled at either school, but they’ll have to take summer classes. The competition will be fierce, of course: they’re only accepting five students from all four years across both universities.”

My heart started beating a little dance of excitement.

“That sounds tough,” I said.

“Yes.” She looked me up and down. “But I think you have what it takes to get in.”

My heart did somersaults. I felt like I was going to throw up. “Really?”

“Really. Your grades and effort reflect that. All you need is to keep them up for the rest of the semester…and a hell of a recommendation letter. Which I’m willing to provide, as long as…” she hesitated.

“As long as what?” I prompted, my heart graduating to cartwheels.

“As long as you continue doing what you’re doing,” she finished, although it had seemed like she was about to say something else.

“I can make that happen,” I promised. “Thank you so much. You have no idea…”

“Well, you’re not in yet,” the professor warned. “So don’t thank me. But I have high hopes for you and your future, Lucy. Don’t let me down.”

“Of course.”

I turned to go, and she put a hand on my shoulder.

“I was wondering…”

“Yes?”

“Coach Samson is your legal guardian, yes?”

Oh god, was I about to get in trouble for something else?

“Yes,” I said. “He really doesn’t have much to guard now that I’m eighteen. Although you try telling him that.”

She blinked.

Whoops.

“He’s overprotective,” I explained.

“Oh,” she smiled. “That’s an excellent trait in a father figure.”

Trepidation filled my lungs. Where was she going with this?

“Do you…happen to know if he’s single?”

It was my turn to blink. My breath caught in my chest.

“He…is. Why?”

Although I already knew why. Blake was hot, wealthy from his pro days and from the hefty salary Tabb paid him, responsible…a real catch.

“My brother is his assistant coach, and I’ve met him a few times. He set us up, but I want to make sure I’m not wasting my time barking up the wrong tree.”