“Ellie and I are discussing where she’s taking me on our first date. I hope it’s not to that dog movie. I swear he’ll die at the end and then I’ll sob like a fucking baby. Nearly had to walk out of Bridge to Terabithia. That shit is not good for my image.”
Just like that, Riley’s pants get charmed off.
“You could go to one of her intramural softball games,” she offers helpfully. “They play on Wednesdays.”
I glare at Riley for revealing that tidbit, but she avoids my eyes.
“Intramural softball? I like the way you think.” He smiles at Riley and she smiles right back. “Tell you what, I'll buy that fantasy book, but you can read it first. Then when you're done you can bring it back to me, and we'll go out and discuss it. Hold on while I pay for these books.”
“No,” I protest but neither pay attention to me. Masters leaves, and this time both Riley and I watch that fine ass, covered in cotton, as it disappears from sight.
“Stop panting. It's embarrassing,” I grouse and pull myself away from the bookshelves.
“Holy shit. I take that back. Did I say I wasn’t into athletes? Because I’ve changed my mind. Football players are totally my type.”
They’re everyone’s type, I think sourly.
“And Christ on a cracker, he devoured you.” She laughs semi-hysterically. “I once heard this ridiculous rumor that he's a virgin. Can you believe it?”
“No, I can’t.”
“Yeah, I thought it sounded off when I heard it. Probably some—what do you call them?” She winds her hand.
“Jersey chaser? Gridiron groupie?”
“Yeah those. Probably one of those got turned down and started the rumor because, honey, he wants to do you so bad I thought for a minute he'd take you right here and now, and we'd get kicked out by mall security.”
“Let’s go,” I tell her. I don’t want to talk about the spectacle I made of myself. I want to escape before he comes back, even though he does have my book, dammit.
“I thought you wanted that book?” Riley peeks around the corner. “Besides, he’s coming back, so it’s too late.”
“Fine.” I straighten my own T-shirt and try to inject steel into my spine. “Thanks.” I hold out my hand for the book. I might as well take it if he’s so willing to let me borrow it.
Instead of laying the book in my hand, he holds up his phone. “I’ll need your digits so me and my book can stay in touch.”
“I’ll give the book to Jack and he can give it to you.”
Masters raises an eyebrow. “Is that the direction you want to take this?”
Dammit. No. I rattle off my cell phone number in a sour tone, which has zero effect on Masters’ good humor.
“Here you go.” He puts the book in my hand. “Think about where you’d like me to take you for dinner when you’re finished with it.”
“Why so interested in eating with me?” God that sounded filthy.
By his smirk, he thinks so, too. Locker room talk has taken all the innocence out of this virgin. “I’m interested in all of it.”
Riley makes a choking sound and I know I’ve turned bright red.
“I’ve got to get back to campus,” he says. “Can I give you two a ride?”
“No. I’ve got some stuff to buy. Girl stuff.” I glare at Riley.
“No problem. See you back at school.” And then he’s gone.
Thankfully Riley doesn’t say another word…until we exit the bookstore. “So when is the wedding?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You said you would marry the first guy who hit on you at the bookstore.”
“Riley, you are not funny. Not at all.”
“Really? I'm feeling pretty hilarious.”
15
Knox
Matty is in my apartment again when I get home from the bookstore. The encounter with Ellie has left me in a good enough mood that it doesn’t bother me that he has half my cupboard spread out on the coffee table and his big ass perched on my preferred side of the sofa. I give him the business anyway.
“Matty, don’t you have a home?” I kick the door shut and throw the books on the table.
“Yeah, but you have better snacks up here.” He reaches for the bag and rifles through the contents. “No comics? Your taste in books is questionable. Please tell me this book is for class.”
“I did have a book that had guns, machines, and sex in it, but I saw Ellie Campbell in the bookstore and had to give it to her or else.” I grab the half-empty Doritos bag and shove a handful of the fake cheese wonders into my mouth.
I pull my phone out from my pocket and pull up Ellie's entry. I wonder how long it will take her to read the book. “Are there rules for when you should text a girl?” I vaguely remember the guys arguing about this in the locker room.
“Three days unless it’s a booty call, then anytime after ten,” Matty says and flips the channel from the NFC preseason game to the AFC preseason game. It’s week three and the undrafted rookies, practice squad guys, and late preseason signs are getting their chance to play their way onto the fifty man roster. It looks like the Seattle second and third string is beating the pants off the Kansas City team. Not looking good for KC.
“They need a good pass rusher,” I murmur between bites.