Me: Oh, I will. *hot face emoji*
After all, it’s about time I made good on my promise.
24
SUTTON
Day of rest,my ass. With my hectic schedule, Sundays are my only day off. Which means I spent the day washing clothes, cleaning the apartment, and catching up on homework.
It’s nearly five o’clock and I’ve finished most of my reading assignments for the week, with one exception. I flop down on my bed with my Media Management text and a bottle of water, ready to dive into the assigned chapter, which covers work-for-hire contracts. I tried to read it last night, but fell asleep, so here’s hoping today’s attempt will be more successful.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, but I ignore it.
Parker’s been texting all day, asking when I want to meet up to work on the AMP paper. When Mac assigned it, I suggested we take a few weeks to research independently before meeting up.
That was three weeks ago.
Every time Parker’s attempted to set a study date, I’ve deferred, but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to stall. I can’t avoid the project forever and, more to the point, the guy is persistent as hell. Which sucks because just sitting next to him in Mac’s class each week is torture. It’s impossible to concentrate with his large, athletic body crowding me for three straight hours and reminding me of all the sinful things he can do with his tongue.
The prospect of being alone with him again is just—nope.
We can always go to the library. At least then we won’t be alone and I won’t be tempted to rip his clothes off. Or, you know, drop my panties again.
There’s a knock at my bedroom door and Maddie bursts in, phone in hand. “OMG. Check your messages.”
Acho. “Did Parker text you?”
I wouldn’t put it past him. Not after the brownie incident.
“What?” She cocks her head and her brow wrinkles, but she casts off her confusion quickly. “No. This isn’t about Parker. It’s about Brooke.”
My stomach flips and I sit up on the bed. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s better than okay. United G contacted her about endorsing their leotards.” She bounces on the balls of her feet, phone clutched between her hands. “Can you believe she’s actually going to get an NIL deal? How freaking amazing is that?”
Pretty freaking amazing. “I should text her to say congratulations.”
I grab my phone off the nightstand and, ignoring Parker’s texts, go to the group chat I have with Maddie, Brooke, and Soraya. There are seven unread messages…because I’m the only pendejo who hasn’t responded yet to Brooke’s news.
“Maybe they’ll send her enough leos to go around and she can share them with us,” Maddie says, leaning against the doorjamb as I send Brooke a confetti filled message.
I drop my phone on the bed and shoot her a look.
“What?” she asks innocently. “A girl can dream. United G is expensive as hell and I’m not too proud to turn down free gear.”
I snort because if anyone can afford to buy all the leos her little heart desires, it’s Maddie.
“Plus, Brooke will get the newest styles before they’re available online.” She grins. “The other girls on the team are going to be so jealous. Hell, I’m jealous.”
We both laugh and our phones buzz simultaneously with Brooke’s reply, a reminder that the discussion is in the early stages and nothing is guaranteed.
It’s a practical response, and probably for the best, but I can’t help thinking of my abuela’s favorite proverb.
El que busca encuentra.
If you search, you will find.
Brooke’s worked her ass off for this opportunity, pouring her time and effort into her sport and into building her social following. It’s not luck that has United G sliding into her DMs, but hard work and dedication.
