Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Considering my obsession with Dateline, I should have caught on sooner. I mean what are the chances the superhot football player just so happened to be in the quad, café, and gym at the same time as me nearly every day?
I squish my lips to the side.
Okay, well, it’s not exactly uncommon. I see a lot of the same people every day because anyone who has classes related to mine is on a relatively similar schedule. But still.
He was outside the damn child development building when I was headed in and near whatever building I was headed to on my way out, but now that I think about it, it was only when I was alone.
Never in front of my friends.
Because he was using you.
I sigh, propping my chin on my palm.
Like I said, I should have known, but at the end of the day, I enjoyed his attention. I needed it, having been in a funk since the first guy who made me feel more than attraction left me for something bigger, as he should have.
My heart aches a little at the thought of the boy—no, the man I met the summer before my first year of college. Little did I know he’d be in the same school come that fall. Had I known, I probably wouldn’t have gone full summer fling with him but rather taken things slow out of fear of what might happen once we had to see each other around campus. A small smile graces my lips as I think of Trey Donovan.
Maybe one day I’ll find my way down south, catch one of his prime-time games. Last I heard, he was already breaking records as a rookie in the NFL.
I couldn’t be prouder of him. He had a dream, and he made it come true.
He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
We can’t all live the Hallmark movie plot. Sometimes people really do have to go their own ways in the end.
This time, I hold back the sigh desperate to escape.
I’m over this pity-party shit and ready to move back into boss-babe mode.
Which is why the second class ends and we’re clear of the building, I spin and walk backward in front of my bestie, my hips rolling from side to side in my best attempt to be Shakira.
“Uh-oh.” Ari teases with a small smile.
“Uh-oh is right.”
The words register just before heavy arms come around my shoulders, and I reach up, locking my hands on Brady’s forearms. Tipping my head to the side, I look up at him.
I’m not short, standing a whole-ass heel higher than Ari at an easy five ten, but Brady is beastly, so I still have to lift my chin a bit to meet his eye fully.
“I take it we’re going out tonight?” He lifts a brow.
“Aw, cute. You think you’re invited.”
“Aw, cute.” I face forward as Mason steps up, Chase at his side. “You think you girls are allowed to go anywhere without one of us.”
“Us?” I scoff playfully. “Please. Like you won’t be knee-deep in baby shit by seven. You wouldn’t know if we did or didn’t go out.”
Mason grins. “Why do you think I said one of us?”
Ari laughs, and when she looks my way, it’s written across her pretty, little face.
My shoulders fall. “You have a date with a hot jock, don’t you?”
She squinches her nose, guilty. “FaceTime at six thirty.”
I perk up a little. “Does that mean I get something good to eat tonight?”
She smiles. “We’re making something called beef bourguignon.” Pulling her phone free, she winces. “Actually, I need to head back to the dorm. He said the ingredients are being delivered around three.”
“Fine. I’ll allow you to ditch me so long as you keep feeding me.”
“I’ll go.” Brady releases me with a shrug. “Can’t get fucked up ’cause we got practice in the morning, but I can play bodyguard and dance partner.”
“Tempting.” I nod slowly. “But I think I’ll see if Paige is back yet.”
“Back from where?” Chase asks.
Glancing his way, I open my mouth to answer when I spot an interesting little scowl pulling at his forehead. “Why do you want to know?” I draw attention to his question, enjoying the way he straightens when all eyes move his way.
“Yeah, why you wanna know?” Brady doubles down with a chuckle.
“I don’t,” Chase answers swiftly. “She mentioned it, so I figured I’d ask.”
I cock my head, and he scoffs.
He waves us off. “I’ve got a meeting with Coach. I’ll see you girls tomorrow.”
“Later,” the boys call out while we wave, and I turn back to the others.
“Payton wrapped up her shoot with the new squad today, so I’m taking her and little man somewhere tomorrow, get off campus for a bit,” Mason says.
“No invite?” His sister pouts.
“Love you, but no.” He chuckles. “I’d like to actually get to play with my son, and if you’re there, I have to compete for his attention.”