Mom whips around and points at my dad like she’s scolding him. “You and I need to get more involved. There’s still the opening for the Dean of Health Sciences since Townsend died. And don’t forget that EmitDuttais Dean of Arts and Sciences. If Ayan has it out for Scout…there’s not much we could do to protect her.”
Dad shakes his head. “That’s not my thing, princess, and you know that.”
“Make ityour thing.”
I interrupt before they start arguing. “Let’s take a step back.”
They glance at me.
“Thegoodnews is, I haven’t been appointed to anyone.”
I finish my tasty bite and shrug.
“And hopefully, I won’t be.”
six
I’m actinglike a damn virgin, and I know it.
“Griffin!”
Nicky stands with his arms flung wide.
“Where’s your brain?”
Across the indoor field. On the women’s side. Where Scout’s playing.
And lookingobscenelygood while doing it.
Tight leggings. Sports bra. Compact little body. Long chocolate hair in a high ponytail. She looks good enough to eat, and I still owe her for last night…
My tongue drags over my lower lip, imagining what she tastes like.
She hasn’t looked at me once this entire game. I keep checking. Even slammed a goal to show off. Nothing. Not a flick of her eyes. Not even when I took off my shirt.
I must be losing it. Probably eating too much of my mom’s food lately.
Their game is ending just as ours is starting, and a sinkingdisappointment settles in my shoulders. I try to refocus. I really do. But then she bends over the bench to grab a water bottle, and my heart slams against my ribs like a trapped animal.
Finally,finally, she looks my way. I grin and wave. She turns around and walks off. And the ball hits me square in the head.
A few teammates slap my chest as they jog past.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? DidDeltarage last night?”
“No.” I inhale, exhale, then mutter, “Probably coming down with something.”
Yeah…something named Scout Turner.
It’s Saturday. I have her number on my phone; I could text her and ask her out. I’ve never done that before. Never had to. Most women stay away or just want a fling. Carrie askedmeout. But we weren’t that serious and just sort of drifted apart after a few months.
“Forget those sorority bitches,” an opponent sneers as he runs by.
“Huh?” I blink at him.
He obviously has no idea who I am…and something about that makes my skin prickle with irritation.
“Yeah, they’re all looking for guys with money and futures more expensive than we can afford.”
