Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
When I think of what I want in the future, it's a greenhouse, not a college dorm room.
Still, knowing I don't have much of a choice, I fill out an application form. I put down whatever it takes to get it done quickly and then go to start the second. My phone vibrates, and I reach into my bag and grab it. I expect it to be a meme from Tins, but instead it’s an unknown number.
Unknown: Where are you?
I glance around the almost empty library. It’s pretty dead right now, but this is my open period, and I'm using it to complete this assignment.
Me: Who is this?
I watch the bubbles pop up, letting me know the person is typing. It’s only a second, maybe two, before a response comes.
Unknown: You know who it is. Now, where are you?
The response feels like it takes an eternity because I know who I was hoping it would be. How the hell did he get my number? Did he look it up in my school records? Would he really go that far? I hope so.
I shift in my seat and wonder how a simple text can turn me on. I debate what to say when the bubbles pop up again.
Coach Shay: Answer me, little girl.
Me: Little girl?
Coach Shay: I have to remind myself.
That annoys me because for a second a hot lick of desire went through me at him calling me that. Now I know he only did it to remind himself I’m off limits.
Me: Well, keep reminding yourself then… Daddy.
Two can play that game. Why is he texting me if he told me to stay away from him? Better yet, why is he showing up at my house?
Coach Shay: Don’t make me ask again.
Me: How did you get my number?
Coach Shay: Charlotte…
I can hear the warning in his text, and it makes me smirk.
Me: Daddy….
“Hey.”
“Holy shit!” I almost jump right out of my seat before I press my phone to my chest and hide the screen.
“Sorry,” Tins whispers.
“Charlie,” Ms. Lanaster scolds us from behind her desk.
“Sorry,” I say, and she gives me a curt nod before going back to her book.
Perhaps I should become a librarian and dedicate my entire day to reading. I’m guessing that's not the norm, but it’s always what she’s doing. I could get behind that.
“Why are you so jumpy?” Tins sits down in the chair next to mine.
“You surprised me.” In truth, I don’t want to get Coach Shay in trouble. I need to change his name in my phone, and I already have one in mind.
“What are you doing?” she asks. I click my mouse, causing the computer screen to light up. “Oh, you’ve never mentioned colleges.” Tins perks up a little more. “Where are you applying? We could end up in the same place.”
“I’m not sure I’ll go to college, but I have to fill out a few for an assignment.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders drop.
“You?”
“I’ve applied to a handful.” Tins lists them off, and although there are a lot of them, I’m sure she can get into any she wants. She’s wicked smart.
“Some of those are pretty far,” I say, and Tins shrugs.
She’s clearly trying to get as far away from this place as possible. I'm starting to put together that Tin doesn't love being in her home. The only person she really ever speaks about is her father, and most of the time he sounds absent.
I catch a glimpse of Coach Shay entering the library, and I lick my lips. When I feel his gaze on me, my heart starts to race.
“Coach Shay is here,” Tins whispers.
She asked me a few questions about him after I left his office. I'm not sure what clued her in that something happened, but she didn’t miss the connection.
“What?” I pretend to not hear.
“Coach Shay.”
“Oh.” I glance around as if I hadn’t noticed him over by one of the bookshelves. The man does not blend in. “He’s new this year.” I try to sound bored as I place my phone on the table and turn back to the computer.
“I think he’s watching you,” she whispers again.
“You’re a dork.” I fake a laugh.
“If you say so.” Tins stands. “But I’ll leave you to it.”
“Later,” I respond but maintain focus on the screen.
Tins says goodbye, and I wait a few seconds before I glance back to make sure she’s gone. When I look over at where Coach Shay was standing, I see he’s gone too. Shit. I reach for my phone just as someone else drops into the chair that Tins vacated.
“Leave me alone,” I tell Parker before he can open his stupid-ass mouth and make me do something I’ll regret. I really don’t need to end up back in Principal Vale’s office.
“See, Charlie…” Parker moves in closer, and I can feel the heat of his body. I want to lean away, but I won’t give him the satisfaction. “I think you’re dying for my attention. Otherwise you wouldn’t go out of your way to fuck with me.”