Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
As Garrett is speaking, two girls have joined Marlow at her lunch table. They look alike, but nothing like Marlow. They’re redheads, for one. Second, there is none of her magic attached to them or written on their slightly pinched features, which really shouldn’t be surprising, because I’ve never met anyone in this world with her kind of magic. But my curiosity is piqued when they seem to separate themselves from Marlow, even though they’re carrying on a conversation with her. There’s tension between them.
Are those her stepsisters?
“Colossal, are you listening?”
“Yes,” I lie. I mean, I’m mostly lying. I heard the gist—and I hate it, but maybe Garrett is right? Maybe in some crazy twist, I’ll get a chance with Marlow. Won’t I always be worried she would have chosen a guy like Garrett, if given the opportunity? Maybe the viable candidates in her other classes haven’t gotten a chance to speak with her yet? “You want to go ask her out?” I say, sounding like there’s a layer of sand in my throat.
“For your sake, buddy.”
“Right.” He’s waiting for my permission, and I don’t want to give it to him. In fact, I feel like I’m being sawed in half. “I don’t really have the right to stop you, do I?”
“Exactly.” Garrett slaps me on the back and stands up, cracking his knuckles. “Watch and learn, my friend.”
I feel physically sick watching Garrett swagger toward Marlow’s table. When he stops at the edge of it and smiles at her, I gulp down a spiked ball of jealousy. They look good together. Of course they do. The hotshot forward with clothes that fit him properly and the sexy brunette fairy with a bow in her hair. He says something to Marlow, but to my surprise, she ignores him. As in, doesn’t respond or even make eye contact. Instead, her brow is furrowed and she’s highly concentrated on opening the entire top of her chocolate milk carton, so she can dunk her cookies.
My heart is hammering so hard, I try to slow it down with a grinding fist to the center of my chest. Oh my God, she’s so cute, she’s going to give me a heart attack, isn’t she?
Garrett, however, not to be deterred, especially with the whole team watching, takes a seat next to Marlow, ducking a little to catch her eye.
Without looking at the captain, she points to the redheads and mouths something.
Then she gathers all of her things and walks out of the cafeteria.
But not before she stops briefly at the end of my table, popping part of a cookie into her mouth. “Nice try, Eric.” She dusts the crumbs off her fingers. “But I know what I want.”
She winks at me and keeps walking, sending my team into a full meltdown.
They’re diving across the table to shake my shoulders, yelling in my face.
Happy for me.
Of course they are, I have apparently done the impossible.
I’ve landed a girl so far out of my league, we’re not even in the same stratosphere.
I’ve never experienced this…this combination of dumbfounded and hopeful and…excited. My God, I’m excited, also known as I’ve got a semi that is quickly turning into a full erection. Again. Second time today. Jesus, who could blame me when she flounces out of the cafeteria in that little skirt, knowing her stockings end only a couple inches below her tight ass? When she has the bravery to claim me in front of my whole team, not even remotely intimidated by these goons?
I get up and follow her, even though I can barely feel my legs or the backpack slung over my shoulder. I follow her out of the cafeteria, into the empty hallway, down to the end where it curves to the right…and I find Marlow waiting for me.
“How do you feel about not waiting for the final bell?” she asks.
I drop my backpack and reach for her.
Chapter 4
Marlow
Not going to lie, I’m a little pissy at the moment.
I’ve been turning down smirking idiots all morning, I didn’t get to eat my cookies and milk in peace, and my body is hot-wired with this tingly kind of tension that it only seems to experience around Eric. I’m hot and achy in ways that I usually only feel when the fictional characters in my illustrations kiss and touch each other.
All those complicated physical urges have now seemingly been transferred to Eric Von Hagen, and what does he do? He sends dumbasses to ask me out.
Yes, so I think I’m a little pissy!
Unfortunately, he appears to be almost hypnotized by me, breathing extra hard, a stiff angle risen and straining behind the zipper of his jeans. There’s an apology in his eyes, too. All of that does a lot to dampen my irritation.
“How do you feel about not waiting for the final bell?” I ask him.