The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders 4)

We lay there, silent and sated and I’d never felt happier. We’d had an amazing freshman year together, and now we had three years of living as a couple, in a cute little off-campus apartment a few minutes’ walk away from Penn.

But no matter how happy I was, how madly in love with Jason I was, there was always a little voice of doubt in the back of my mind.

Jason was already Quaker royalty. In one season he had won the hearts of his teammates, coaches, and fans. And now he was captain. He would soon be thrust into the public eye more than ever.

No matter how hard I wanted to believe in the fairytale, the truth was he would always be in the spotlight, and I would always be the girl at his side in the shadows.

But it was something I was just going to have to learn to live with, because giving this up—giving him up—wasn’t an option for me.

Ever.

Felicity

Veterinary medicine was both my dream and nightmare. I loved animals. I loved them with every fiber of my being. There was something about being surrounded by crates of four-legged friends that brought me peace, and it had been at A Brand New Tail in Rixon that my dream to become a vet had been born. However, the truth was, I was barely staying afloat. The course was naturally science-based but I’d underestimated just how hard it would be to stay on top of multiple classes. This semester alone, I was studying general pathology, parasitology, and microbiology.

If I wanted to stay on track, I needed help.

Which is why I’d signed up for the tutor program.

Butterflies zipped around my stomach as I headed for the Hill Pavilion. I was meeting Darcy for coffee nearby and to discuss a schedule. All tutors were fourth year or post-grad students, and I was hoping she could help me keep my head above water this year.

But when I reached the coffee shop, I saw no sign of her. I checked my watch. I was almost five minutes late. Glancing around the place again, I decided to wait by the noticeboard. It was chock full of advertisements for roommates, social clubs, and local bars hosting live music nights.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I spun around. “Can I help you?” I frowned at the guy.

“Felicity Giles by any chance?”

“Um, yeah.”

“I’m Darcy, your tutor.” The guy smiled and my eyes widened.

“You’re Darcy? But I thought...” I stopped myself. How rude and presumptuous I’d been.

His smile grew timid. “You thought I was a girl?”

“Sorry.” My cheeks pinked.

Darcy shrugged. “I'm used to it. Unfortunately for me, my mom had a strange affinity for Jane Austen in her younger years.” He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“That’s... I really don’t know what to say.” My awkward laugh echoed around the high ceilings.

“Shall we?” He motioned to one of the tables. “I already got myself a coffee. What would you like?”

“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I’ll just—”

“Felicity, relax. I can afford to buy coffee for a pretty girl.” His eyes twinkled.

“I have a boyfriend,” I blurted out. God, this was beyond awkward. I bet he thought I’d lost my mind.

“Good thing I’m only here to tutor you then. What’s your poison of choice?”

“Latte, please,” I conceded. “Cream and sugar.”

He gave me a reassuring nod before heading for the line while I got comfortable at the table. My phone pinged and I dug it out of my bag.

* * *

QB#1: Hope tutoring goes well.