It’s like you have two settings. Judging McRighteous, or Scowly Fuckhead.”
“Ever thought that’s only around you?”
“What is it that makes me so special?”
Ask my dick. I clear my throat. “Look, I might not like you, but I don’t want to see you get in trouble.”
“You don’t like me?” His voice drips with faux remorse. “But I like you.”
“Bullshit you do.”
“No, really. I do like annoying you and making you scowl, and when I say something really ridiculous you get this vein”—he runs a finger over my temple and I flinch away—“right there.”
“I’m trying to have a serious conversa—”
“A serious conversation? That is so unlike you.”
“I changed my mind.” I rake my hand through my longish hair. “Do whatever the hell you like. You do anyway.”
Beck starts to laugh, and I jolt when he reaches over and squeezes my thigh. Considering how much I want to touch the guy, I’m being a jumpy idiot.
“You’re finally learning, Topher.”
And we’re back at that again.
Beck steers the car into the parking lot behind the UVM theater and turns off the ignition. He claps his hands together. “Let’s do this.”
“No way. You’re on your own.”
He leans closer. “Chickenshit.”
“Not gonna work.”
When he laughs, his whole face lights up and it makes my mouth go dry. “Wait here, then.” He winks and tosses me the keys. “Captain’s orders.”
There go my warm thoughts.
Beck jumps out and grabs the shit Cohen stashed in the trunk. The telltale chink of spray paint cans follows Beck past the car, and my stomach sinks.
Idiot.
Idiot, idiot, idiot.
Why the hell did I get in the car?
What is it about this guy that makes me lose my damn mind? I can admit he’s hot—my nightly jerk-off sessions have brought me to terms with that—but a sexy smile and a biteable ass are not reasons to risk my scholarship.
I have a clear view of him as he follows a path to the catamount statue. The thing was put up maybe twenty years ago as a way to foster school spirit.
Clearly it didn’t work.
I’m not saying it made me smile to kick their asses last year, but our team was unbeatable last season thanks to Grant and me. Okay, and Beck.
I hate giving him that credit, but he deserves it.
Beck pauses by the side of the theater and checks the area is clear before approaching the statue. It’s made of tarnished, bronze-looking stone and seems more like a hissing panther than a catamount.
I expect Beck to do a quick spray and get out, but he takes his time with it. First, he wraps toilet paper around each of the four legs, then fashions a diaper with a hole for the tail.
My lips twitch as I watch him work like he has all the time he needs. I know for a fact security is as light over the break as it is at CU, but there are still patrols who could easily find us.
After a quick glance around, I lift my phone and snap a pic of Beck as he works. When the spray paint comes out, I’m completely unsurprised when he sprays a giant dick on the cat’s forehead.
Maybe that’s taking it a step too far, but this is Beck after all.
I watch him work for another few minutes, wishing like hell he’d hurry up and get out of there.
Movement to the left catches my eye, and my gut drops. There’s a flashlight sweeping along the side of the theater, and Beck hasn’t noticed it.
“Fuck.” I scramble to grab my phone and pull up Beck’s number, holding my breath the whole time.
I see him reach into his pocket. I’m worried for a moment that he won’t answer, but then I remind myself it’s on him if he’s caught.
“What up?” is his greeting.
“Security’s coming. On your right.”
I hang straight up again and climb into the driver’s side. The flashlight is getting closer, and Beck must finally spot it because he starts running.
Okay, I guess we’re not going with the subtle approach.
A loud shout follows him, so I stuff the key in the ignition and rev the car to life. Throwing it into reverse, I pull out of the parking spot and maneuver it to the edge of the path just as Beck reaches me. He almost pulls the door from the hinges as he yanks it open and dives into the seat.
“Hey, stop!”
The flashlight bounces closer, and Beck slams the door, cutting off the shouts, then I steer the car around and get the hell out of there.
I’m