Students of the Game Read Free

books I should read,” I manage to spill out.
    “Why, because everyone says you should?” he laughs.
    Carver looks like a glossy magazine ad for some designer cologne, dressed simply in a tight fitting white t-shirt and jeans.
    “You don’t always have to do something because it’s what’s expected , Joy. You’re allowed to make decisions for yourself, aren’t you?” Carver’s hazel eyes break away from mine and a loose strand of hair falls along his jaw line as he squats down. He tucks it back then proceeds to run his index finger along a row of book spines.
    What is that supposed to mean? My brain fumbles an attempt to sort it out and I end up standing there silently, like an idiot.
    “Wow, maybe Melville isn’t such a bad choice, considering the selection here,” he sighs and stands up.
    “Yeah, the town library is definitely much better. Trust me, I know. I volunteer there every Saturday,” I say a little too quickly.
    He looks at me and rubs his chin, “I’ll have to check it out.” There’s a slight pause before Carver adds, “So, about this tutoring thing…”
    “Um, yeah…about that.” My eyes follow his, down to the clock on the cell phone he’s holding. I find myself wishing the reason he’s talking to me is because he actually wants too. “Do you want to come to my house? Or me to yours?”
        He laughs and throws me a lop sided smile. “It’s tutoring. Not a date, Joy.”
        I can guarantee my face is the color of an overripe tomato right about now. “Oh, right. I…uh…I just assumed, since Bryce and I made similar plans…” Blame it on Bryce. That sounds like a good solution.
        “You’re tutoring Colton?” Carver’s face turns instantly into a mixture of surprise and disgust.
        What else can I say in a twenty second time frame that is completely moronic? I kick myself for mentioning Bryce.
        “Yeah, I am.” Not wanting to set him off further, I don’t elaborate.
        Oddly as quick as his demeanor changed, it does again and this time replaced with a smile. “Listen, I should go.” he says. “Are you always free this period? We could just meet here, say…Wednesdays?”
        “Sound good,” I tell him, leaving out that this is supposed to be my lunch period, not study hall.
        “Alright let’s start next week. Until then…” He smiles again and does this silly mock bow, before heading towards the exit.
    I flop down at my staked out corner table and practically dissolve into the chair, though I’m able to ea sily forgive the library for its loss of normal sanctity, over the opportunity to talk to Carver.
    And just w hat kind of talk was that? The first actual conversation I have in the entire four years we’ve been in school together, and it was so coded. It seemed like Carver was flirting with me, yet he didn’t hesitate to remind me this is entirely a school thing. Then with the flip of a switch, that of which being Bryce’s name, he turns completely cold. I sit there and silently shake my head, wondering just what I might be getting myself into with these two boys.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    BRYCE (Freshman Year)
     
     
    I watch as the lunch lady slops what appears to be American Chop Suey onto my tray, and thank her with a grimace that she mistakes for a smile. If this is what I can expect for school lunches at North Tide for the next four years, it looks like I’ll have to start packing my own if I want to stay in shape.
    I scan the cafeteria full of obnoxiously loud students, I’m guessing made up of mostly juniors and seniors. Those that feel it’s their privilege to annoy everyone else now that they’re upperclassmen. I don’t see Quincy or any of my other friends from junior high, but my eyes land on this dude sitting alone at the back of the lunch room. He’s probably a little bit shorter than me, but super lean, and has an air of