A Hockey Tutor by Mary Smith

parted. I had an overwhelming urge to kiss her. I brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead and looked down at her beautiful face. Yes, I knew she was attractive, but I hadn't noticed her flawless skin, thick eyelashes, or rosy cheeks.
    I rolled away from her and turned off my light. The room was dimly lit from the street lamp outside. I thought about tomorrow, and our first road game. I was looking forward to showing my talent on the road, to more people, but I was sad to be away from fans and friends. Plus, road games were harder to win.
    I felt Katie turn and snuggle close to me. She rested her head on my chest, and for the first time, I inhaled her amazing scent. It was like a strawberry patch. I felt like an awkward teenager because I didn’t know where to put my hand. I didn’t want her to wake up and think I was groping her. In the end, I rested it on her hip, and tried to fall asleep.
     
    **
     
    Chirp. Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
    What was that noise?
    Chirp. Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
    “What the hell is that?” I sat up on my elbows as Katie rolled over to her phone.
    “It’s my alarm,” she said groggily.
    “Birds? You wake up every morning to the sounds of . . . birds?”
    “I like nature sounds, so sue me.” She rolled back on her side. I saw through the dim light that her shirt had ridden up, exposing her flat stomach. “Please tell me we didn’t have sex.” She covered her face with her hands.
    “Damn, was I that bad, you don’t even remember?” I teased her. She groaned loudly as I chuckled at her. “Katie, we didn’t have sex.” I leaned in closer to her ear. “Trust me, if we did, you’d remember.”
    She scoffed as she removed her hands. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
    “Wow.” I moved back from her. “You know how to give me a vote of confidence.” I rolled over and saw my alarm clock. “What the hell? I don’t have to be up yet.” I could’ve slept another hour.
    “My alarm was set to make sure I was here in time to wake you up,” she explained. “Now, why am I in your bed?”
    I turned my head to look at her. “You passed out last night, so I brought you up here.”
    She was silent for a moment. “Thanks,” she said, giving me a small smile.
    We lay there in my bed, not saying anything. I It was nice having someone in my bed that wasn’t just after my trust fund, or my penis. Katie was here for a different reason. Sure, she passed out, but Katie was special to me.
    “Andrew, can I ask you a serious question?” Her tone was somber.
    “Of course,” I replied honestly.
    “Why don’t you like Wes? I can feel that there's something going on that I should know about.” Her voice was almost a whisper, but I could hear the plea in it.
    “How about I make a deal with you?” I didn’t want her to hear just my side of the story; I wanted her to learn the truth for herself.
    “Okay.”
    “When we're gone for the road games, just Google Wes’ name and mine. Everything you need to know is on ESPN and NHL Network.” I stared at the ceiling above me because I didn’t want to see her face.
    I reached for her hand, and laced her fingers through mine. I was comfortable with our hands together, just lying there together. “Why are you being so nice, Andrew?” she asked, laying her head on my shoulder.
    “I’m always nice,” I told her.
    “I guess you’re right.” She squeezed my hand.
    “Why are you being so sweet?”
    “Hey, jerk.” She moved away from my shoulder, and lightly slapped it. “I’m always sweet.”
    I chuckled at her as I got out of the bed and headed to my bathroom. I knew I didn’t have to be up yet, but I couldn't go back to sleep. And, if I lay in that bed with Katie any longer, I didn’t think I could maintain our professional relationship.
    I jumped into the shower and quickly got ready. I tried not to think about Katie still lying in my bed, or the fact that she looked sexy with her bed-head and sexy, groggy voice, or how she