Page 21 of Enemy Games

Unknown: I’m really busy this week.

My patience was running out. One of my biggest pet peeves was when people ignored parts of your texts or emails.

Hunter: Then we can plan on next week.

If she needed simple messages, I could do that.

Unknown: Maybe.

Maybe? This wasn’t optional. If my coach said I had to do something, then I did it.

Hunter: It can be quick. I can meet you somewhere that is convenient for you.

I was pretty much bending over backwards for this girl. If she didn’t at least try to meet me and make an effort, what was I supposed to do? I could just plan everything we needed to do and let her face whatever consequences followed.

My phone started ringing with the same unknown number. Why was she calling?

I answered hesitantly. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry,” a tired voice said. “I’ve been in a study group for the last three hours, and we just got out, so I can focus on you now. I got an email from Coach Harrison with some of the details about the clean-up. I’m assuming it’s the same one you got.”

Oh, so she wasn’t the worst texter in history, she was just distracted. I almost felt bad for getting frustrated. Almost.

“Probably. There was a note on mine saying we needed to meet up at least once to finalize details.”

“Right, like I said I’m super busy this week. I didn’t realize how far behind the courses at my last school were. I have to cram just to catch up, so I have a study group every night, then this weekend we have the games.” She sighed. “Sunday might work. Or Tuesday afternoon at … eleven-fifteen?”

Geez, she really was busy if she had things planned out to that extent.

“This weekend.” I was thinking through my plans.

“Don’t forget Haley’s birthday!” Reid shouted.

“I know, man.” I shook my head and spoke back into the phone. “The women’s team is welcome to come. It’s on Saturday.”

She let out a laugh. “I don’t think I’ll have time to even sleep this weekend, but thanks.”

Right. She just said that she was busy. I rubbed my eyes and refocused. “Sunday would probably be easier. I have a capstone class from eleven to one on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I could leave for a few minutes if that’s the only time we can make it work.”

Benjamin shot me a look with a raised brow, but I waved him off. He didn’t like any of us skipping classes, but it wasn’t like I’d miss the whole thing.

“No, no. Don’t leave class.” I could hear the tension in her voice and felt bad for her. She was obviously overwhelmed.

“What classes are you struggling with the most?”

“There’s this programming class I have to take, and I’ve never, ever done anything like that. Oh, and a psychology class that is so advanced, I had to triple-check it was the right course.”

I chuckled, having a feeling I knew exactly what she was talking about. “You’re in the communications department?”

“Yeah, are you?”

“Yeah. The programming class is actually really easy once you figure it out. The psychology class is what the professors like to call a weeder. It’s only hard for the first six weeks, then after the transfer deadline, it backs off and is pretty interesting.”

Benjamin snorted and nodded his agreement.

“Well, it looks like I’m a weed, because I don’t think I’m going to make it.”

The dejection in her voice tugged at something in me. I wasn’t one to go out of my way for strangers, but she clearly needed help, and I was in the perfect position to help her. “How about you find one or two hours that you can block out, and I’ll help you with both of those. We can do what we need to for the service project and get you caught up.”