Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
But Lexi Winslow is a whole other level of intimidating. She’s brilliant and beautiful, and, so far, after an entire year of trying to get on her good side, she wants absolutely nothing to do with me.
I smile. God, I love a challenge.
There’s a line in front of Lexi waiting to check in, but after a quick glance at my watch and a bump in the back from Ace, the three of us play cutsies with little to no remorse. There’s a groan or two until a couple of people see it’s me and use their elbows to shut up their friends.
There are perks to being the quarterback at a sports-obsessed university, star power being one of them. I wouldn’t normally be the type to use it to my advantage, but when it comes to face time with Double C’s fearless leader, I’m shameless.
“Hi, Lexi,” I greet, my voice warm.
“Blake Boden,” she says in return, just barely glancing up from her phone. “You’re checked in.”
I grin. “How are you tonight?”
Her hands pause at her phone before her gaze slowly lifts, and even though they’re filled with annoyance, I’m thankful for the intimate view of her baby blues.
“Busy.”
I smile. “Is that a subtle hint to leave you alone?”
“No.”
“No?”
“It wasn’t subtle.”
She’s so fucking incredible.
“Okay,” I agree easily, ignoring Ace’s obnoxious laugh behind me. “We’ll catch up later, then.”
Lexi quirks a defiant brow at me. “Will we, though?”
“I’m planning on it.”
She purses her perfect lips at me. “Maybe you shouldn’t hedge your bets.”
“Gah, Lexi!” Ace cries, shoving me forward. “You’re ruthless to this poor, talented man. Give him a break every once in a while!”
I shake my head, disagreeing. “No, no. It’s okay. She’ll come around to me eventually. She should do it on her time.”
Lexi narrows her eyes slightly, studying me. “Cover charge is twenty dollars tonight. Winner takes the pot.”
I pull a trio of twenties from my jeans pocket and hand them to her, waving off Ace when he pulls out money of his own. “I got it tonight, Ace.”
I smile and wink before leaving Lexi to finish business without much of a fuss. I like that she’s not trying to impress me or cowing to my wants and needs right off the bat. I like that she’s an individual with high standards and uncompromising boundaries. It’s a hell of a change from the women I’m used to and a breath of fresh air.
Since my freshman year of high school, when I made the varsity football team as starting quarterback to the chagrin of many upperclassmen, I’ve been an object of female pursuit. Girls wanted to date me, kiss me—fuck me—anything to say they did and list it among their accomplishments with friends.
I took proper advantage of my popularity for a while, but after a few years, the same old shit starts to taste stale. I’m not just looking for a good time anymore; I’m looking for a long time.
And I know damn well, thanks to my parents’ inspiring example of what a marriage full of resentment and bickering looks like, you don’t pick just anyone.
“I’m so excited, I can feel a little tingle in my spine,” Ace says, bouncing on his toes. It’s an innocent statement—one none of us would have thought a single thing about a month ago—but immediately, it casts a pall over us for our missing friends, Scottie and Finn. “Shit,” Ace says, apology in his eyes, and Julia leans in to rub his arm.
“It’s okay. You didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know. I just… Fuck, I still can’t believe any of that shit really happened.”
I nod. “Either of you talk to Finn or Scottie?”
“I did,” Julia answers. “Earlier today. Things are good. Really good. Scottie is starting to sound like herself again.”
“Yeah,” Ace agrees. “Finn’s stopped breaking shit in our dorm room too.”
“Tonight feels weird without them,” I remark. But at least she and Finn are officially on the mend. It took them a while to overcome all the hurdles in their way, but they’re a strong unit now. I’m sure it won’t be long before they’re doing all this stupid shit with us again, even if the physical specifics for now-wheelchair-bound Scottie look a little different. Hell, knowing Finn and how much he loves that girl, he’d carry her ass around all night if he had to.
“Definitely,” Julia agrees. “Maybe we can swing by—”
“Welcome, everyone!” Lexi greets, moving to stand in front of the group, a small light clipped to the collar of her pink T-shirt. Julia’s message is cut short, but I have no trouble reading between the lines. Sometime in the next couple of days, we need to make sure we pay Scottie and Finn a visit. Which, no doubt about it, I agree, and I give Julia a thumbs-up to communicate it.
Lexi keeps talking, and I turn my attention to her with my usual avid devotion. “Tonight’s activities have officially commenced. If you’re waiting on other people from your group, they won’t be making it. You’re on your own.”