I blink.
Because what the hell?
Vaughn smacks Parker on the back of the head. “If he was body snatched, do you really think the aliens would let him tell you?”
Parker shrugs.
“I saw the movie,” Vaughn continues, far too serious given the topic. “The aliens take complete control of your brain and your nervous system and everything.” He shudders. “Talk about freaky.”
“It’s too early for this crap.” I shake my head and pull out of Parker’s reach as he and Vaughn discuss the merits of getting body snatched. “I’m going to do squats. Some of us are actually here to work out.”
Reid snorts, but follows me to an empty power rack and helps me load weights on the bar. The defensive line is still going strong with their chant, making conversation impossible.
It’s just as well.
I’m not exactly itching to tell him Quinn and I are exclusive. Not only because I want to keep the news to myself for a while, but because he’d probably join the body snatching conspiracy theory. Then again, he might be the only one to understand since he spent half the season sneaking around with Carter, our new kicker. Either way, I’ve got enough drama in my life without fanning the flames.
What I need right now is focus. With only three games remaining in the regular season, I can’t afford to get distracted. Not when my mom is counting on me.
46
QUINN
“Girl, you are so lucky.”Haley flops down on my bed as I stand before the mirror, swiping mascara on my lashes.
It’s Sunday night and I’m getting ready for my first official date with Cooper. I’m nervous as hell and the butterflies in my stomach have been swarming all day. Which is ridiculous. The guy has feasted on every inch of my body. It doesn’t get much more intimate than that.
“Where are you guys going?” Haley asks, her reflection wiggling its brows at me in the mirror. “You know, in case B and I want to join you.”
“Don’t you dare.” I’m open to a double date in the future—assuming Bryan agrees not to be an ass—but no one is crashing our first date. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
Haley snickers. “You don’t say?”
I stick my tongue out at her and gesture to the laptop on the bed. “My paper is open on the desktop, if you’re still up for a proofread.”
“Like you even need to ask.” She pulls the laptop closer and taps the touchpad before losing herself in my words.
I finally finished my term paper for Call-Me-David. Coming up with a topic was like slogging through quicksand, but after I spent some time thinking about Coop’s advice—to own my vibe and not let others use it against me—I found clarity. Once I decided to write about my Virgin Quest and learning to accept myself for who I am and embracing my chaos as fuel for the creative well, the words had flowed from my fingertips. And, sure, I’m still a work in progress, but I finally understand what Call-Me-David meant when he said my pieces lacked depth.
After all, poking fun at myself and devaluing my thoughts and experiences invited everyone else to do the same.
I carefully apply lip gloss to my bottom lip and press my lips together.
The last few weeks have been incredible—aside from Noah’s continual digs about me going behind his back—but With Cooper’s hectic schedule, it’s been hard to plan anything. We mostly see each other at Daily Grind or at bedtime, though sleeping is hardly a priority.
A crimson flush stains my cheeks.
It’s possible I’ve been greedy in that respect. I have no clue how Coop powers through his days on so little sleep, but I’ve been mainlining coffee like it’s my job.
Which is why I’m going to make sure he gets to bed early tonight.
No late-night sex marathons for us. Just good old-fashioned, restorative sleep.
Cooper’s been stressed about football and now that I know the root of his ambition, I can hardly blame him. Though he’s been playing well, the team barely pulled out a win against Michigan last weekend. Thankfully, yesterday’s away game against Rutgers was a blowout.
Just one more regular season game to go.
But even that’s a temporary relief because then it’s on to bowl games.
