Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“I hope you know that I never liked him,” he says conversationally, as if discussing the weather.
The unexpected comment has a burst of laughter escaping from me. “I can’t imagine why.”
One side of his lips quirk.
This is what a full-blown smile looks like on Duke Carmichael.
If I’m being completely honest, it’s pretty dazzling.
The guy is ridiculously handsome.
Even though most of the girls at HP enjoy looking at him, very few are brave enough to venture too close. He’s like a feral dog. One that could turn at any moment. Since we’ve known each other for so long, I don’t feel that way. I’m pretty sure we’re friends.
At least, I think we are.
“It probably has something to do with the guy being a self-absorbed prick.”
“You’re right.” If only it hadn’t taken me so long to figure it out. I could have saved myself a lot of grief. “Thanks for shutting Aiden down.”
He shrugs. “It was my pleasure. Us scholarship kids gotta stick together, right?”
“Yeah.” When the nape of my neck prickles, I spear another reluctant glance in Jasper’s direction, only to find him watching me with narrowed eyes. I know that look all too well. I also understand what it means. My voice drops. “You don’t have to sit here. The last thing I want to do is involve you in this mess.”
He reaches into his brown paper bag and pulls out a sandwich. “You didn’t involve me. I involved myself.”
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate—”
“If anyone has a problem with it, they can talk to me.” He takes a huge bite of the bread, meat, and cheese before chewing methodically and swallowing. “Got it?”
I could argue, but I realize it won’t do a damn bit of good. Duke is stubborn to a fault.
“Thank you.” I give him a slight smile filled with gratitude.
“There’s no reason to thank me.” He points to my untouched lunch. “Now eat.”
Even though I can’t bear the thought, I stick my hand inside the brown paper bag and pull out a fruit snack.
He stares at it with a frown. “Is that all you got in there?”
“No.”
“Then show me. A fucking fruit snack isn’t enough to fuel you for the rest of the afternoon.”
Spoken like a true athlete.
When Duke stares expectantly, I roll my eyes and pull out the small bag of pretzels. “You’re kind of bossy, you know that?”
He snorts and stares at the baggie. “You’re seriously killing me here. How does your mom let you walk out the door with that garbage?”
“My mother considers me an adult who can pack her own lunch.”
“Clearly you’ve proven her wrong.”
I reach into the paper sack again and pull out the sandwich before flattening the bag and setting it on top. “Happy?”
His expression never falters. “Ecstatic.”
“Great.”
He points to the food. “Now eat.”
We engage in a silent stare-down before I huff out an exasperated breath and remove the sandwich from its plastic wrapper before lifting it to my lips and taking a nibble.
Unlike me, Duke demolishes his in less than two minutes.
It’s almost impressive.
As I lower it to the table, he shakes his head. “You need to finish. Don’t you dare give that prick the satisfaction of seeing how much he’s upset you.”
“My lack of appetite has nothing to do with him,” I mumble, gaze dropping to the table. “I’m just not hungry.”
“Bullshit. Now eat.”
My wide gaze snaps to his. “Duke—”
“And look happy while doing it.”
“Happy?” I echo in disbelief.
“Yeah. You know…smile. Maybe even laugh. Look like I’m the best damn company you’ve ever had.”
A reluctant smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I nod toward our classmates. “That wouldn’t be a lie.”
His expression lightens, losing some of its severity. “There you go. Was that so difficult?”
I draw in a breath before releasing it. “No.” Then, I bring the sandwich to my lips again and force myself to take another bite. Once I’ve swallowed it down, the words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. “Have you seen Austin this morning?”
“Nope. Heard he got suspended.”
My heart sinks like a bolder. “He did?”
“For three days. The guy’s lucky he didn’t get kicked out of school or off the team.”
Suspended. Not expelled.
My shoulders slump in relief. Football is everything to him.
Without it...
I don’t even want to think along those lines.
There’s a moment of silence before he adds in a serious tone, “I’m shocked that Pembroke didn’t pounce on this opportunity to get Austin out of here.”
He would have, if I hadn’t barged into his office this morning. But I keep that tidbit to myself.
“Guess he got lucky this time,” he muses, looking thoughtful.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” With a grimace, I swallow down another small bite before lowering the sandwich to the table. If I attempt to force down any more, there’s a good chance the masticated pieces will make an encore appearance.