“Not a lot. Ms. Lopez made lasagna, then I studied for a bit.”
He arched a brow. “For our Algebra 2 test? And you needed to study why, Miss Freaking Smarty Pants?”
“Why do you think I have an A in that class? Because I actually study.” Soft laughter came out with it.
Cash narrowed his eyes. “Are you implying something here?”
Her heart pattered.
“Well, you probably could spend a little extra time studying rather than playing football every extra second of your life.” That time it was her turn to arch her brow.
A low chuckle rolled out of him. “Now which do you think is going to take me further in life? Football or algebra?”
He was only a junior and already their team’s star quarterback, sliding right in to take his brother’s place after he graduated. He and Matthew had had plans to play together in college, but after Matthew’s injury last month, that was unlikely to happen.
Another bout of sadness twisted through her. She hated it for Matthew, even though he’d always given her crap for hanging out with Cash. He might have been a bit of a jerk, but he was still Cash’s brother. A human. And she wouldn’t wish any harm on him.
“Fair point, but if you aren’t passing your classes, you know you can’t play.”
“Hey, man, that C is solid. But if I fall below that, then I know who to come to.” With a grin, he tugged at a lock of her hair.
“Is that all you want me for? So I can tutor you?” She shoved his shoulder.
It was strange that every nerve ending in her body sizzled and snapped when she was around him, yet still, she felt wholly comfortable. He was the only person in the world she could tease and play with.
Chuckling, he clutched his shoulder like she’d hurt him. “Watch it, Daisy, that’s my throwing arm.”
“Your prized possession.”
“Not my only prized possession.” He wagged his brows.
“Eww.” She didn’t know how she managed to keep it together enough to play along. “In your dreams.”
In feigned offense, his mouth dropped open, and he raised his arms out to the sides. “Dreams? This is straight reality.”
Okay, he was right. Every girl in school wanted to be wearing his letterman jacket.
“Such a heartbreaker.”
“I’ll have you know, my heartbreaking days are over.”
Her brow curled in question.
The easiness he’d been wearing slipped before he pinned a bright smile on his face. “I…have a girlfriend.”
A rush of sickness swept through her being, and she struggled to focus through the haze of shock.
“Brandy Lemons,” he continued, his voice twisting in a prodding, like he wasn’t sure Daisy had heard him.
“Oh.” She didn’t mean for it to gush out of her, but Daisy felt like she’d been kicked in the gut.
He was all wrong.
He was absolutely a heartbreaker. He just didn’t know it.
At her reaction, he sat forward and fully shifted in her direction. “I mean, she’s cool, right?”
Daisy fumbled a nod. “Uh…yeah…yes, she’s great.”
