I glance at my phone and maneuver my way through the crowd of students traveling across campus like cattle. These people need to move their asses, or I'm going to be late. Class starts in less than five minutes and walking in like I don't give a shit isn't the first impression I'm looking to make.Once I reach Mitchell Hall, where the English classes are held, I take the stairs two at a time. Less than a minute later, I'm sliding onto a chair. With a huff, I pull out my computer and wait for Dr. Hayes to get class underway.Devon Baker plunks his ass down next to me.Great.Like I need this distraction. Devon runs his mouth like he's getting paid by the minute. English isn't exactly what one would call a high-octane class. It will take every ounce of my focus to concentrate for a full fifty minutes.With a grin, he fist bumps me. "Dude, I didn't know you were in this class.""Last-minute change to the schedule." My advisor emailed me last week and dropped the bomb that Composi
"I'll see everyone on Wednesday," Dr. Hayes announces, dismissing class for the day. Before the last word leaves her mouth, people scatter like rats trying to abandon a sinking ship.I look around, careful to avoid eye contact with Beck. He's one of the few students who hasn't shoved their shit into their bag and taken off. I'd hoped that by ignoring him, he would get the hint and not wait around. It's not like we have anything to discuss.We made out a week ago.End of story.Other than glancing at him when Dr. Hayes introduced me as the TA, I've kept my back firmly turned to him. Although that doesn't mean I haven't felt his gaze burning holes through me. It was all I could do not to squirm on my chair and peek over my shoulder.Somehow, I resisted the urge.Barely.It's shitty luck that I've ended up TA'ing for Beck's class. What are the odds?I've tried so hard not to think about the way he touched me at the club, but it's always simmering in the back of my mind. I'm ashame
Grinders R Us is the best coffeehouse on campus. It's where everyone stops to grab their daily dose of caffeine. Sometimes more than once. As I walk past the small brick building, a familiar profile catches my attention, and my footsteps falter.There's been no movement on the Mia front. It's been a week since I asked her for a second chance and talked her into having lunch with me.All right, maybe forced would be a better word for it.No matter what I do, I can't seem to make headway with this girl. I've dropped by her apartment unannounced.She's not there.Or so Alyssa tells me.I've tried hanging around after class, but she's cagey. Sometimes she heads up to Dr. Hayes' office.I'm getting desperate. Getting?Ha!You trucked by desperate a couple of years ago.It takes a moment to snap out of my thoughts and to realize that I'm pressed up against the picture window, fogging up the glass like a serial stalker who's left his van running fifty feet away.As I take a quick step
"Is there anyone who hasn't outlined their paper yet?" Dr. Hayes asks at the end of class. Her dark gaze slides over the sea of students before coming to rest on mine.Between my football schedule and cracking the books, I've been buried. I've jotted down a few ideas, but it hasn't progressed any further than that. I'll admit to dragging my feet on this. Have I mentioned how much I hate writing papers?With the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns.I really need to pull the trigger and get some words on paper. It's already mid-September. The semester is flying by, and football will only ramp up in intensity the deeper we get into the season. Most of the professors at Wesley are pretty cool when it comes to allowing me to hand in assignments a few days late or rescheduling a test if it conflicts with an away game.And why shouldn't they be?Everyone knows that the football program brings in the big bucks. And big money means that these professors can fund their research proj
I park the Jeep in the circular drive and grab my duffle bag before heading up the wide stone steps in front of the house. The door is unlocked, which means someone has to be home. Once inside the two-story foyer, I call out, "Hello?" I pause and wait for a response. When silence greets me, I raise my voice and bellow, "Mom? Dad? Are you home?""In the kitchen, honey," Mom yells back. "I hope you're hungry."Is that a joke?I'm always hungry.Especially for a homecooked meal.I set my bag next to the front door before heading through the hallway that leads to the kitchen. Mom is at the oversized marble island chopping vegetables. A smile lights up her face when she sees me. I give her a quick kiss and hug before beelining to the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water. Happy to be home for a few days, I settle on the stool across from her."How was the drive?" she asks."It was fine." I pause for a beat before adding, "Although my Jeep made a few weird noises when I starte
I stare in the gilded mirror propped against the far wall of my room before twisting and turning, trying to assess myself from every angle. When I saw the gorgeous gray garment Mom had mentioned last night, I'd thought it was a dress. But it's actually two separate pieces. The top is beaded and sleeveless with a high neck. The skirt is a tulle concoction that flutters around my knees.There is no way I would have picked out something like this for myself. And yet, it fits me perfectly and transforms me into a fairy princess. Once dressed, I move to the vanity and apply a bit of silvery eyeshadow that glitters and shiny lip gloss before twisting my hair into a sleek bun at the top of my head.By the time I grab the small silver sequin clutch that has a stash of makeup along with my phone, Mom and Dad are waiting downstairs in the entryway.Archibald and Caroline's anniversary party begins promptly at six o'clock and is being held at their estate. I peeked out the living room wind
So far this evening, I've been able to evade Beck's evil clutches.Barely.He's spent all of his time stalking me through the party like I'm prey. It's exhausting to get embroiled in conversations as I keep a cautious eye out for him. The guest count has swelled, and a lot of them are family or close friends, so Beck has been dragged into countless exchanges.His frustration is palpable.It's kind of amusing.If my luck continues to hold until the end of the night, I'll be able to slip away without him laying his hands on me.By now, the party is in full swing. The quartet has been replaced by a DJ, and everyone is on the dance floor busting a move. Even Archie and Caroline are out there enjoying themselves. I search the crowd until my focus settles on Mom and Dad.Shocker-Dad has his phone in his hand and is staring down at it. His thumbs are moving over the screen like crazy. Mom stands a few feet away with a hollow look in her eyes as she lifts the champagne to her mouth and
Tonight has officially ended up in the shitter. I'd been looking forward to spending time with Mia away from campus, but that hasn't happened. It doesn't take a genius to realize that she's been avoiding me all evening.For fuck's sake, she was hiding behind a potted palm.No girl has ever gone to such great lengths in their quest to evade me.It's official. My ego has been completely annihilated.And then there's Ari, that rat bastard. Every time they were together, his arm was tucked around her waist. I'm this close to wrapping my hands around his neck and squeezing the damn life out of him.Exactly when did he become so interested in Mia?I can compete with a lot of guys, but not my brother.Out of the two of us, Ari is the better man. There isn't anything he hasn't tried and succeeded at. High school, football, college, law school. Nothing fazes the guy. He comes, conquers, and then leaves.If I didn't love him so damn much, I'd be annoyed.My father can't sing his praises