sir,” I say, shaking myself off. I don’t mention his buddies holding my arms.
His lips press together as he walks farther into the room. He waves his hands at the younger guys. “The rest of you have work to do. Get out of here.”
He grabs Archer and me by the arm and makes us sit on the bench. Leaning down, he gets in both of our faces. “This is bullshit, boys. Everything matters now. If you two start raining blows down on each other and that news gets back to the scouts, you’re fucked. Teams don’t want troublemakers in their locker rooms, and neither of you are special enough talents to convince them to overlook that. Grow up.” Looking straight at me, he adds, “Frankly, I’m disappointed, especially since so much is on the line.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, giving him a nod. “You’re right. I apologize.” To him. Not Archer.
Archer curls his lip. “Yes, sir.”
Coach says we can go, and when I stand up to leave, my eyes land on Archer’s face.
His snarl promises retribution.
Back off, my eyes say. I stalk past him.
12
That night, I arrive outside the library and take a deep breath. It’s a clear Mississippi night and the stars are out everywhere. The temps are above freezing, a perfect night for my study not-date with Charisma. I jogged over here with my backpack on, and now I’m wishing I hadn’t because I’m sweating slightly under my hooded tracksuit.
My heart races. Weird. I’m in the best shape of my life. A short run shouldn’t be a strain, but, hell, I know what’s got me pumping. It’s not my failure to smooze Cedrick or my fight with Archer.
It’s me and her in the library. Alone.
With textbooks, I remind myself.
Still…our first time was here, and I can’t get those images out of my head.
But that is over and done. Friends. Right, right.
A few students walk past me to go inside and I shake myself, realizing I’ve been standing here a little too long.
Pulling out my phone, I take a quick selfie with a nice stoic expression. It’s ridiculous, but I do it anyway. I look the picture over and run my hand through my hair. “Needs just a slight more mess to it,” I mutter.
I reach down and adjust my snug jogging pants, pushing them down just a little to show more of my hip bones and checking to make sure that if I raise my hands to the right level, both my sweatshirt and T-shirt rise enough to reveal the bottom layers of my six-pack. Yep, there’s a bruise there from Archer’s punch, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Satisfied, I inhale a deep breath and walk into the library.
Charisma stands just inside the door next to the staircase. “That took you long enough.”
I feel the flush starting at my neck and rising to my cheeks. Goddamn I’m an idiot. And all this red face shit—she’s the only girl who gets to me like that.
I spread my arms and do a full circle. “Just wanna be perfect for any fans I might see.”
“Uh-huh.” Her gaze slides over me like silk, lingering on the hint of abs.
Mission accomplished. “Were you watching me, city girl?”
Now it’s her turn to blush. “The extra effort was worth it. That one inch you lowered your pants makes all the difference.” Her gaze drops and she clears her throat. “We better find a table and get started.”
I walk toward her, taking her in, the black heels, tight jeans, and a black sweater that fits tight across her tits. Damn, no one wears heels better than her. I’m not saying I have a shoe fetish, but I have a shoe something when it comes to her. Her lips are a deep red tonight, her lashes thick and fluttery, and her dark hair flows down the center of her back. I hide my grin. Whatever she says, she took some care before she met me.
We walk next to each other up the staircase to the upper level where the study carrels and tables are. I tower over her, her head just below the top of my shoulder. She’s small next to me, and it brings out all my protective instincts. My hand brushes against hers, and she moves it away, curling it up to tuck her textbooks against her chest.
She picks out a large table near the back. I whip off my backpack and set it on the surface as she takes the seat across from me.
“You think