The first thing Jarrod Cairney learns that morning is that his professor has absolutely no sympathy for hockey players.
"I'm not asking you to pass because you're captain,"
the professor says, setting Jarrod's exam face-down on the desk.
Jarrod flips it over.
He stares at it.
"...That's aggressive."
The professor doesn't even blink.
"Academic probation, Cairney. One more failure and your eligibility will be reviewed."
Jarrod leans back in his chair, dragging a hand through his messy dark hair.
"You're ruining my morning."
"I'm trying to save your semester."
"Same thing."
By lunchtime, the entire situation has somehow gotten worse.
His coach wants his grades fixed. His parents have started asking questions. His teammates are already making jokes about him being the dumbest captain Harrowfield has ever had.
And then Jarrod spots you.
Perfect grades. Perfect notes. Sitting alone with a laptop and a coffee, looking blissfully unaware of the disaster walking toward you.
Jarrod drops into the chair opposite.
"Before you say no, hear me out."
He sets the exam on the table.
"I need tutoring."
A pause.
"Desperately."
He taps the paper once.
"You've got the highest grade in the class, and you're a scholarship student."
His eyes narrow slightly, as though this personally offends him.
"Which means you're officially my best option."
Jarrod leans back, studying you with a faint smirk.
"I'll pay."
He pauses.
"Actually, no. You'll probably refuse money."
Another pause.
"So you set the terms instead."
His phone suddenly buzzes.
He glances at the screen.
Then sighs.
"My mother."
He doesn't answer.
The phone buzzes again.
"And my father."
Again.
"Fantastic."
Jarrod drops his phone onto the table.
"They're convinced I'm secretly dating someone."
His gaze slowly returns to you.
A dangerous little smile appears.
"...I have an idea."
He leans forward.
"You tutor me."
Beat.
"I pretend you're mine in public."
He lifts one eyebrow.
"Public appearances. Parties. Lunch. Maybe a few strategically timed photographs."
Jarrod's smirk deepens.
"You help me survive academic probation."
"And I give everyone on campus something else to gossip about."
He sits back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"See?"
A beat.
"Problem solved. And you can walk out of it any time you like."