Unexpected

LOGAN “Large iced caramel latte for Gia” I yell over the noisy crowd that’s settled into the coffee house. Monday mornings are always packed as college students and professors alike cram into ‘Rise and Grind’ for their caffeine fix. I’m not complaining, it means more tips for me. Ever since I gave up cheer I’ve thrown myself into working as much as I can between a full class load. “Logan, you can take off now” my manager, Sam says as he takes my place behind the counter. I shoot him a thankful glance as I remove my apron and gather my backpack. “See you guys later!” I yell as I quickly fill a cup with plain black coffee before jetting out the back door. My name is Logan Jaxen. This is my junior year at North Carolina State University. My brother, Hayes and sister, Noah both graduated from the University of North Carolina Charlotte but I never had an interest in attending that school. I’ve always done my own thing, marched to my own beat and besides, I’ve been a diehard Wolfpack fan ever since I was young and so I’ve always known that NCS university is my dream school. Located in Raleigh it’s a short 40 minute drive home. I pop in whenever I can but tend to stay close to campus. My class schedule is pretty loaded right now with 18 credit hours. Sadly, It’s the reason I left the cheer team this year. I can’t tell you what a hard decision it was. I cried all summer at the thought of not being able to cheer with the girls I’d become so close with over the past few years. I missed sporting my black, red, and white cheer uniform at games. The attention alone always made me giddy. I’m not afraid to admit that I can turn quite a few heads with my wavy dirty blonde hair, green blue eyes, and 5’5 frame that I work hard to keep in shape. I’m not one of those straight as a board gals. I’ve been blessed with long legs, curves, and a decent size bust. There are plenty of good looking guys at NCSU and I’ve gone out with my fair share of them. What can I say? I love to flirt. I’ll admit that I’ve done the walk of shame a handful of times throughout the last few years. It’s no surprise that I don’t a great track record when it comes to past boyfriends. Honestly, the old hit it and quit it method seems to work pretty well for me. All the fun and none of the work. I know what that makes me sound like and I’ve got my qualms about it but hey if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I hustled to my first class. Someone should have slapped me across the face when I decided to make calculus III my 8am class. Who the hell wants to wake up first thing on a Monday morning and cover parametric equations. Not me, yet here I am doing a speed walk just to make it in time. My professor isn’t an issue. He could care less if I was late. It’s his TA, Cade Adams that’s the issue. Cade is a senior who has his ass hairs caught in a twist. His snarky attitude and death stare have centered on me on more than one occasion. Not sure what I ever did to the dude. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if he wasn’t so gorgeous. His light green eyes are piercing and make my entire body burn with desire when he looks my way. He’s hot alright, but I wouldn’t touch that with a ten foot pole. I cannot stand the guy. Maybe if he ever got whatever it is stuck up his ass removed it’d be a different story. However, for now I just like to slink into the back of the lecture hall with my best friend and roommate, Kristen. “There you are..” Kristen whispers as Dr. Mathews begins his lecture. “Rise and Grind was packed this morning. I didn’t think Sam was going to let me leave” I tell her opening my notebook. “What’s in the cup?” She asks curiously. “Black coffee” I tell her sliding the cup in her direction. “Pass, you know I only enjoy my coffee heavy on the creamer and light on the coffee” she says sliding the cup back to me. I chuckle before hearing a throat clear. My eyes meet ‘mr. cant sit down because there’s a stick up my ass’s’ gaze. His glare is piercing. I roll my eyes and whip him the one finger salute before continue to take notes. As class draws to a close Mr Mathews makes an announcement, “I’ve noticed that some of you are struggling with these basic calculus principles. I’ve set up a study session in this room, Friday at 4pm. It will be led by my TA, Cade Adams. If you are free, I do recommend attending. That’s all. Have a good day, everyone”. I roll my eyes at Kristen and point a finger down my throat. She laughs as we make it way out of the classroom. We exit and I feel the weight of an arm on across my shoulder. “Hey beautiful” a deep voice says, his lips close to my ear. I recognize the voice instantly turning my gaze to Ethan Hall, the schools all star quarterback. Ethan is walking s*x. He’s 6 feet tall with jet black hair, hazel eyes, and natural bronze skin. He’s solid with broad shoulders. We’ve spent more than a few nights between the sheets at his house. Is he my type? Absolutely! I always seem to fall for the bad boys. That’s my problem. Not to say that there’s no depth beneath the surface but I don’t exactly care to dig. If I turn him down, he’s likely to find a rebound with 5 minutes, maybe even seconds. “Hey Ethan” I say walking toward my next class. “You coming to the house tonight? We’re having a small get together” he asks. I laugh knowing that there’s no such thing when it comes to that house. Ethan and a handful of football buddies live there and it’s always party central. “Sorry, can’t. I’ve got to study and I have a 5am shift tomorrow morning” I say. “Bummer. Well I’ll keep my bed warm if you change your mind” he says planting a kiss on my cheek before turning on his heels in the opposite direction. I’m sure he will but I wasn’t planning to be the one to fill that spot. Not tonight at least. After classes I head back to ‘Rise and Grind’. I throw my apron back over my head and settle behind one of the registers. Afternoons are not nearly as packed but we still have a good amount of people waiting. “The usual, Paul?” I ask as Paul Erickson, NCSU’s number 1 wide receiver steps into view. Paul has the deepest voice I’ve ever heard on a guy his age. His faux hawk styled light brown hair and blue eyes make any girl swoon, me included. “You know me too well” he says giving me a wink before paying. I’m tempted to say that I’d like to but I keep quiet. I move through the line as quickly as possible until my gaze falls on Cade Adams. The corners of my mouth instantly fall mirroring his exact expression. “What can I get you?” I ask trying my hardest not to growl under my breath. I don’t know what it is about Cade but whenever he’s near I can’t stand him. He acts like he’s better than everyone. His attitude is cold and I’m not sure he’s capable of smiling. Yet, his scent is always captivating. It’s annoying. His green eyes are narrowed as he searches mine as if the menu is buried somewhere inside of me. Without breaking eye contact he spouts off, “I’ll take a flat white with 2 pumps of caramel. And make sure it’s hot this time, huh” he says. “Are you implying that your last beverage wasn’t up to your temperature preferences?” I ask, annoyed. “No, actually it wasn’t” he says placing both hands on the counter leaning forward. “Oh no, I’m terribly sorry to hear that. How awful..” I say, my words dripping with sarcasm as my hand falls to my chest. He chuckles, one corner of his mouth pulling up into an annoying smirk. “Well, perhaps you should focus more time on getting the coffee to the customer and less time flirting with the football players that come through here” he says before standing at his full height. “Well you want to know what I think? I think that you sh..” before I finish my sentence, my coworker Quinn slaps her hand over my mouth. “We’ll get that to you as soon as possible, Cade” she says pulling me toward the back. “Girl, what is it about Cade Adams that makes you want to throw down so badly?” She asks crossing her arms. My shoulders fall. “I don’t know, Quinn. I cannot stand him!” I say rubbing my hands down my face. “Tell me something I don’t know. Get it together, girl. Sams already on the warpath after having to fire Ava last week”. She says and damn it she’s right, as usual. I can’t let Cade and his cocky attitude get to me.