Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
We stare at each other for several seconds. My chest is rising and so is his, and I almost feel that if I took one tiny step toward him he would wrap me in his arms and kiss me so fucking hard.
“Red. Say something.”
No. He’s the one who left my house; he’s the one who said he didn’t want to hurt me.
“What are you thinking, Penelope?” His voice is layered with emotion.
It’s as if he needs me to tell him something, to pour my heart out to him.
But I can’t. I won’t.
I inhale a sharp breath. “This distraction needs to get to the library.”
I pull my arm away and take off in a full-on run. I probably look ridiculous running in flats and juggling a backpack, but it is what it is.
My eyes close briefly as I hurry toward the library.
God help me. I can’t fall for him.
I just can’t.
Ryker
A few hours later, I’m in my dorm room, stewing after seeing Penelope. I clench my fists and pace around my bedroom. Fuck, I’m antsy, and all I can think about is how pissed she was about Sasha and how amped up I am that I can’t get her to admit she wants me just as much as I want her. It doesn’t matter that she’s a distraction right now. It doesn’t matter that I’ve sworn I won’t get involved with anyone.
She’s just…different.
My eyes land on a framed picture of my dad and me at my last high school football game, and my lips twist. If I had a solid relationship with him, maybe I could call him up and talk about this pressure I feel to be the best, to be a top pick in the draft. But my dad isn’t the kind of guy you open up to. Plus, he’s still disappointed in me after the fighting scandal.
My chest is heavy and I scrub my jaw. There’s no one to talk to, really, about Penelope. Blaze is too immature, and Maverick lives with Delaney now so I barely see him. And Dad? Ha. He thinks women are for sex only. Guess I can’t blame him considering how my mom left us.
I get a text and grab my phone.
It’s from Blaze. Dude. Your girl is here at the Tau house.
My girl?
Penelope, asswipe.
I exhale.
On my way.
I hop in the shower, and twenty minutes later I’m out the door and headed to my truck.
The frat house is thumping with the strains of Post Malone as I walk in the door. It’s a full-scale party with people everywhere, open pizza boxes on the counter, and a keg in the kitchen. I grab a red plastic cup of beer and head to the basement where most of the people like to congregate.
Penelope is the first person I see, and I pause mid-step on the stairs and nearly spit out my drink when I get a gander at what she’s wearing: a plaid miniskirt with a fitted white collared shirt. The buttons are done all the way to the top and a little scarf thing is tied around her neck. Schoolgirl. At first glance, it’s demure, but then I look down and see her high-heeled black boots. Good God. My teeth snap together. Her auburn hair is curled and in pigtails, and she’s not wearing her glasses—a clear sign she’s on a mission.
Is it Connor she’s trying to ensnare? I run my eyes over the crowd, but I don’t see his familiar tall frame and dark hair. My fists unclench. Good. Sure, he’s decent, but a kernel of anger rushes through me every time I see the nerdy asshole.
I watch Penelope and Charisma—and is that Margo? Yep. The three of them, along with several other sisters, are laughing as they dance together at the edge of the space. No dudes around them.
I don’t even know Blaze is next to me until he speaks, his gaze on the group. “You got here fast. I see you’re watching the Chi Os,” he murmurs.
“Nope.”
He chuckles, and I turn to give him a sharp look.
“Something you want to say?”
He scratches at his head. “Dude, you’ve got a thing for her, for Penelope. Like bad.”
“No, I don’t.”
He shakes his head and gives me this look like he knows shit. “I’m your go-to guy with the ball, man, and I read you like a book. You can’t keep your eyes off her. Even that day at Sugar’s…” He shakes his head.
I swallow and rub at my jaw.
Blaze muses. “You’d have pretty babies together.”
My eyes flare. “Are you drunk?”
He shrugs. “I’ve had a few, but just because I’m a football player doesn’t mean I’m not romantic and shit.” A grin flashes across his face. “Plus, you deserve some good in your life. I say go for it. Win that bet and get the girl at the same time.”