Текст книги "I am free "

Автор книги: Regina Bartley

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

6

Jackson

The morning came too damn fast. I didn’t get home from Holly’s until after midnight and I got zero studying done.

Perfect.

Classes started in thirty minutes and I had nothing complete. Not only was the coach going to kill me, but my parents were too. My grades were slipping. I had to study tonight. No more excuses. Holly was just going to have to understand, and I knew that wouldn’t be an easy conversation.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs screaming at Kennedy to get her ass in gear. She wasn’t going to make me late today. If she didn’t come down in the next five minutes, I’d just leave her home.

“The clock is ticking. Let’s go. Now!” I screamed.

“I’m coming. Get your panties out of a knot.” She hopped down the stairs. She was way too chipper for so early in the morning, and already getting on my last nerve.

I growled and clenched my fist at my side. Shaking my head I stormed out the door. She’d better run was all I had to say.

She barely made it inside my car before I took off, and the first five minutes of our drive was a bitch fest. Slow down, you’re an ass, grow up, the list was endless. I couldn’t say what I wanted to say back to her, because she’d run back and tell Mom like we were five years old. She was the baby of the family, and she got away with everything. Not me. It didn’t matter that I was an adult. As long as I was living under my parent’s roof, I still had rules.

I let her continue to rant and tried to tune her out. Thank goodness school wasn’t that far away. It was normally about a fifteen-minute drive, but that day I made it in ten.

Kennedy hurried off to meet her friends as soon as I parked. I tossed up deuces at her back, thanking God that I didn’t have to spend the rest of my day with her. Sure, I loved my sister. Like, I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her or anything. But that was my job. I didn’t have to like her, and at that moment… I didn’t.

“Hey man. You had a good night didn’t you?” Jeremy caught up to me as I walked inside.

“It wasn’t bad. Looks like Holly’s been running her chops this morning.” I glanced back at him.

“She told Lacey, Lacey told Amber. The list goes on and on.” He smiled big.

“Dude, you sound like a chick right now. You may need to get your balls fitted for a sequined sack.”

“Shut up.” He pushed open the doors with a little force.

“Shut up,” I laughed. “That’s the best you got.” I punched his arm.

He rolled his eyes. “I got get to class. Are you still going to The Edge this weekend? I think everybody’s in.” He asked. The Edge– a local club where all of the cool kids hung out. Better known as the place to get lit up and party until two a.m.

“I don’t know man. If I don’t get some studying done, I’m not going anywhere.”

“How far behind are you?”

“Too far.” I admitted.

“I had to get a tutor, maybe you need one too. Coach hooked me up. I know he’ll help you to. Don’t stress. The weekend is still four days away.”

“We’ll see. I got to go.” I said backing in the direction of my class.

“I’ll catch you later.” He called out.

I nodded my head at him.

My literature class was the usual bore. Our essay papers were due, and mine was not finished. I was far from it. I don’t know if it was my lucky day or what. Mr. Colby was out for some reason and the lady sitting in for his class told us that he was giving us a two-day extension on our papers. Two days. Hell yes. An outline was the only thing I had done, and it wasn’t that great.

It was time for me to get to work. Seriously. I couldn’t slack anymore.

My next two classes seemed to fly by. Of course I was behind in both of those too. It was going to be a long night at the library for me.

I sent Holly a text telling her that I couldn’t see her or talk to her tonight. I didn’t wait for her whiny reply. She’d try to convince me otherwise, and dammit she could do it. She had way too much power over me, way too much.

Kennedy was at the car waiting when I walked out. That was a first. Normally, I’d have to hunt her down.

“Are you taking me to work?” She asked.

“Yeah. I have some studying to do. So I need to go anyway. Get in.”

We made the short drive to the library and I was stuck listening to Kennedy complain about some guy in her class. She was so obnoxious, but for some reason I couldn’t stop listening today. This guy had given her trouble once before. Even though I couldn’t stand her, I didn’t like anyone else messing with her. I’d hate to have to beat some punk ass up.

I told her to let me know if it got worse, that I’d take care of it.

I locked my doors, and left my phone in the car to keep from getting any distractions. Mainly Holly.

My bag was heavy and I knew there was no way I’d get everything done tonight. I’d be lucky if I finished it all within the week.

I followed Kennedy inside, and found a table in the back. I didn’t have to worry about her annoying me. She liked me about as much as I liked her.

The place was pretty much empty. The way I liked it. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized that I had four hours to get something done. That was it.

The time seemed to pass by faster than I would have liked. I barely looked up from my books. It was after dark outside. The light was no longer shining in through the window. I finished the rough draft of my Lit paper and one assignment for my Biology class, but I was still only half done. It looked like the library was going to be my new hangout for the week.

“Only twenty more minutes until closing Jack.” Kennedy whispered.

I glanced up at her. “I just have three more questions on this sheet, and I’ll be done. I can walk out with you when you close.”

“All right. Hurry up.”

Shit. Her snide comment made me want to jab my pencil into her hand. Tell me to hurry up. That was the pot calling the kettle black.

I had all of my papers in my bag and was making my way up front. Kennedy wasn’t alone behind the desk. Little Bo Peep was with her.

“I almost forgot. My bag is in the back. You go ahead Kennedy. I have my key.” The girl called out over her shoulder.

“We’ll wait.” Kennedy called after her.

I growled under my breath.

Only a minute later she came running from the back. “Thanks for waiting.” She said. She stepped closer to us. Kennedy and I were standing at the door waiting.

My jaw dropped to the ground. Little Bo Peep was not what I expected, not at all. She was anything but. Her green eyes were big, almost too big for her face. Her skin was pale white, and her lips were… Damn those lips.

I’ll be damned. This girl was beautiful, just like Kennedy said.

I snapped back into the moment when someone cleared her throat. When I flicked my eyes up to meet Kennedy’s she was silently laughing at me.

What could I say?

She was right about this. Despite this girl’s ridiculous clothing, she was gorgeous.

More than that even. She was an angel.

“I’m Grace,” she said in a low and sweet voice. “I don’t think we’ve met.” Her eyes flicked to my face then back down. She clearly was a shy girl.

“No, I would have remembered you.” I held out my hand and waited for hers. She seemed kind of stunned by my admission, but I wasn’t one to hold my tongue. It’s a good thing I didn’t say what I was really thinking, -like damn girl.

She placed her tiny hand inside mine, and gently squeezed. Was she afraid of me? Her hand jerked free almost as quickly as it touched me.

“I’m Jackson.”

She looked at me briefly than anywhere else she could find. She was avoiding eye contact. To be so beautiful, she sure was withdrawn.

“Don’t mind my brother,” Kennedy said as the two of them walked out of the door first. I still stood there a little shell-shocked. I had never seen a girl that looked so beautiful, and she wasn’t wearing a single drop of makeup. I didn’t even know that that was humanly possible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve went to bed with a girl and woke up with a totally different one. I laughed at the thought.

Following them outside, I waited for Kennedy to lock up. Grace had her back to me, and I was obviously checking her out. You couldn’t tell much about her body, other than she was small. Her long milkmaid skirt covered everything up, and those shoes. Yikes. I didn’t even know they made those canvas type shoes anymore. They were ugly. I could only imagine the way this girl got picked on.

Even I was calling her names.

“Can we give you a ride home?” I asked.

I didn’t care that Kennedy was about two breaths from full on laughter.

“No thank you,” she answered politely. “I don’t mind the walk. It’s not far.”

“It’s too damn cold,” and it was. She was only wearing a sweater. “I’ll take you.”

Her eyes grew big. “Honestly, I’m fine.”

“Well here then,” I shrugged out of my coat. She at least was going to stay warm. I held out the coat and waited for her to put it on.

“Oh dear brother, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this side you before.” Kennedy joked.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Grace either. I could see the smile creeping up on her cheeks. She was hesitant.

“Just take it,” I snapped.

She slid her tiny arms inside, and wrapped the jacket tightly around her. “Thank you.” She said. “I better go.”

“See you tomorrow.” Kennedy said.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow. Thank you for the coat Jackson.”

“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.” Her head leaned to the side a little, and I smiled big. Bet she didn’t know that she’d be seeing a lot more of me.

When I got inside the car, I looked in my mirror and watched that girl walk off in the opposite direction. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Who was she, and where did she come from?

“I knew it. I knew it. I knew the moment that you laid eyes on that girl, that you’d be biting your tongue.” Kennedy laughed as she buckled her seat belt.

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, so she’s beautiful. I’ll admit it. What’s with that damn skirt though, and did you see her shoes?”

“Don’t be such a superficial prick Jack. She’s different. So what?”

“I’m not superficial, I’m honest. She needs some new clothes.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want new clothes,” was Kennedy’s reply. “Maybe she likes what she’s wearing. She’s from Oklahoma. Maybe that’s what all the girl’s in Oklahoma wear.”

“Hell no. Colleen Marie would never be caught dead looking like that, so your theory is wrong.”

“Who the hell is Colleen Marie?”

“Playboy’s playmate of the month, August 2003.”

“You’re seriously disturbed brother. That fact that you know that is ridiculous. You were not looking at Playboy’s in 2003.” She huffed.

“You can search anything you want on the Internet, and that’s not the point. She looks like she’s part of some Little House on the Prairie farm.”

“Just give it up, would you? It’s not like you have a chance with her anyway. She is far too inexperienced for you.”

“That can be changed.” I grinned at the thought.

“Shut your face. You’re getting on my nerves.”

“Well it’s my car and if you don’t like what I have to say, then you’re welcome to walk.”

Thankfully, that shut her up.

I thought about Grace the rest of the ride home. I knew Kennedy was right about her being inexperienced, and I knew that truthfully I’d never have a chance, but I couldn’t seem to get her out of my head. From a reputation stand point, I knew that people would chew me up and spit me out over this one, but dammit she was hot. Well, her face was, her clothes not so much. But I already had a hot girl right at my disposal. Holly was giving it up anytime I wanted it. No need chasing after something that wouldn’t amount to nothing. That’d be too much work.

7

Grace

“So whose jacket are you wearing?” Aunt Darcy asked as soon as I walked in. Her eyes were bright and the smile was much too big for her face.

I hadn’t even thought about her seeing me in it. I couldn’t wrap my head around it myself. I’d never been around boys much, outside of my brother. It was different, and nice. Yeah, nice was a good word. Of course, I got really nervous and didn’t say much, but what could he expect from me. He saw what I looked like for goodness sakes. He couldn’t expect much. The entire walk home I kept thinking about how forthcoming he was. He wasn’t afraid to say anything, much like his sister. But the gesture of his jacket was nice. It kept me warm the entire walk home, and it smelled so good.

“It belongs to a boy named Jackson. He is Kennedy’s brother. She’s the girl I was telling you about that’s my friend at work. They offered me a ride home, and when I didn’t except, he gave me his coat.” I tried hard not to smile, but the cheesiest grin spread across my face. I knew it was cheesy, because she was all but laughing right in my face.

She was curled up on the couch with her coffee mug, and patted the spot next to her for me to sit. “So, what does he look like? Tell me all about him?”

I sat down, but I didn’t want to say anything at first. You just weren’t supposed to talk about these things, or maybe you were and I’d just been doing it all wrong all of these years. But whom was I supposed to talk to, certainly not my mother. And this was the hottest boy that I’d ever spoke to. Besides, he was the only boy I’d ever spoken to.

I couldn’t contain myself any longer. “Oh Darcy, you should have seen him. He’s so handsome. He has this dark brown hair, that is almost black, and it was fixed perfectly. I’m not sure what he uses on it, but it never moves.” She laughed and I continued. “He’s really tall too. Well, you can tell by this jacket, and he says whatever he’s thinking. Like, he doesn’t care what comes out of his mouth. I’ve never met anyone like him.”

“Sounds like someone has a crush.”

“No, I mean I don’t think so. I’ve never really had a crush before. Besides, I don’t know anything about the boy except for what he looks like, and he is way different than I am. I just met him today. Are boys always so weird?” I asked.

“Honey, you have no idea. I’m still trying to figure them out.” She sighed.

“Well there is no need to worry about me. I don’t suspect any boys will be looking at me with love in their eyes.” I laughed at the thought. “No one will see past my clothes. I saw how he looked at me.”

“Grace,” she took my hand. “You have to know that you are a beautiful girl, and that the boys will most certainly be looking at you. They we will be falling for you in no time.”

“No.” I shook my head vigorously.

“Yes,” She stated. “Does the clothes that you wear bother you? I mean you’ve worn them your whole life. Do you want to change?”

No one had ever asked me that before. I’d never had the option to change.

“To be honest, I don’t mind the way I look. I like it. It’s what I’ve known my whole life, and I don’t want to change.” It would probably make me feel like an imposter. Of course I didn’t want to change.

“Good, because you don’t have to. That’s the beauty of it. You can dress anyway you want. If this is what you like, and what’s comfortable to you, then so be it. Don’t let anyone try to change you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I don’t mind not fitting in. I don’t mind being different. I’ve known I was different my whole life. The only thing I ever wanted to change was living with my father, and I’m here now. I couldn’t be happier.”

She squeezed my hand. “Good, because I don’t want you anywhere else. Tell me more about this boy.”

“Well,” I giggled. “He’s got really light eyes, almost see through. I didn’t look at them long because I got all flustered and shy.”

“He sounds cute. I should probably warn you that boys can be very charming when they need to be. They could charm the pants right off of you, or skirt.”

“Aunt Darcy, please.” I slammed my hand over my face. “Can we not have this talk? I assure you that I’ve already talked about human reproduction with my mother.”

“That’s great, but she’s never met the boys that are walking around here in the real world. I just want you to be prepared.”

“Thank you. Let’s cross that bridge if we ever get to it. We only introduced ourselves. He probably doesn’t even remember my name.”

Her hearty laugh filled the room. “I’d bet my paycheck that he hasn’t forgotten your name.”

What did that mean? Was he thinking about me? I highly doubted that. It was funny to hear myself talk about him though. I guess maybe I did have a crush on this boy that I barely knew.

It was harmless, and bound to happen sooner or later.

“Want to go out to eat for supper tonight?” She asked.

“That sounds fun. Let’s do it.”

“Maybe we could go to the movies too.”

“Really, we can?” I nearly bounced off the couch in excitement.

“For sure. Girl’s night out is happening. Go get ready.”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I brushed out my hair, put on my grey sweater, and changed into my only other pair of shoes. I was ready.

Dinner was great. At least what I tasted of it. I ate so fast that I nearly made myself sick. I was excited to get to the movies.

We were in line to get popcorn when I heard someone call my name.

Both Darcy and I turned around.

“Kennedy.” I smiled. “What are you doing?”

“Duh Grace. This is a movie theatre.” She joked.

I smiled big. “Right of course.”

The group of girls with her were staring me down. I shifted a bit on my feet at the sight of them too. “These are my friends Amanda, Kate, and Madison.” Kennedy said, introducing the girls.

“Nice to meet you.” I replied.

Not one of those girls said hello to me. They eyed me as though I had two heads. I guess they’d never seen anyone that looked like me. I couldn’t believe that though. I was just plain; it wasn’t like I had purple hair and facial piercings. Oh well.

Kennedy continued to smile as I introduced her to Aunt Darcy. She was much different than her friends. She never looked at me any differently. She was kind and spoke to Aunt Darcy as if she hadn’t just met her.

“Enjoy your movie.” I said to Kennedy as we took our popcorn and walked away.

“See you tomorrow at work.”

“Right, see ya.” I called back. She really was a nice a girl. I loved working with her. It felt so good that she’d made an effort to talk to me. We truly were friends.

“She seemed nice.” Darcy said, as we took our seats in the back of the room. This wasn’t the first time I’d been to the movies, but it was the first time I’d seen anything that wasn’t a musical. That was all that we were allowed to see at home, and they were rare. We maybe went once my whole life.

“She really is.” I didn’t say anything else.

“I’m sorry those other girl’s were such bitches.” She said.

I shook my head and smiled. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I don’t mind. I know I’m not like them, and I’m okay with that. They’re the ones with the problem, not me.” I stuffed my mouth full of popcorn, as full as I could get it.

“You are a special girl, you know that? I am so proud of you. Not many girls your age would let something like that roll off their shoulders.”

“When you’re used to standing out, then fitting in is nonsensical.”

“Always remember that Grace.” Aunt Darcy had a serious look in her eyes. “Fitting in is overrated.”

I smiled at her and settled back in my chair. I would. I was born to stand out, and I didn’t intend to change for anyone. I loved myself.

No one would change me.

No one.

8

Jackson

Sleeping was for the dead, I supposed. It sure as hell wasn’t for me. I stayed up late to try and finish more class work, but wound up with one thing on my mind. Or one girl I should say.

It had been a long time since I’d let one person occupy that much of my time. I couldn’t escape her. She was unusually different. So much so, that I wanted to laugh at her one moment, and bend her over that librarian desk the other.

Gah. Why couldn’t I get her off my mind?

For the first time in a while, I was the one running late. Nothing was working right. My one-track mind was on the wrong path. I couldn’t get anything to work this morning, and it was pissing me off. It was almost like having two left feet and hands that didn’t work.

Kennedy screamed at me twice to get my ass in gear.

“I’m coming.” I growled.

I needed an energy drink bad.

Mom told me last night that Kennedy’s car still wasn’t ready. Of course it wasn’t. I was stuck with her at least for the next two days. JOY!

“Should I drive?” She eyed me curiously.

“Hell no.” I pushed past her, out the door.

“Your shirt is on inside out.” She yelled.

“SHIT!” I tossed my bag in the back of the car. I rolled the shirt off my back and fixed it quickly. “Get in the car.”

“What’s with you today?” Kennedy asked.

“I just didn’t get much sleep. That’s all.”

“Maybe you should quit spending so much of your night time hours with Holly. That might help.”

“Maybe you should mind your own business,” I slammed the door closed. “Besides my lack of sleep has nothing to do with Holly.”

“Right.”

“Yeah. Right.” I put the car in reverse. “I’m in a mood, can we just have some silence this morning please?” I ran my fingers through my hair.

“My pleasure.” She replied.

I only had one class today, and then an afternoon weight session with the guys. Off-season training was sometimes more exhausting then regular practices, especially when I was running on three hours of sleep.

I could barely stay awake in class. My eyes were so heavy, and I don’t think I heard a single word that the professor said. Lucky for me Holly was in this class too. She was the note taker. I could get everything I needed from her.

“Why are you so tired to day?”

I placed my hand on the small of her back and helped her walk a little faster out of the room. “I told you earlier that I didn’t get much sleep.”

“Why?” She asked, as she dug around her suitcase of a purse.

“I had a paper that needed to be finished, and I’m still not done.” I didn’t have the energy to argue with her. Not today.

“Okay, well, am I gonna get to see you later tonight?”

“I doubt it babe,” I added a little extra sugar so that she wouldn’t aggravate the hell out of me. “After weights I’m going back to the library to try and finish my paper. I won’t be home until late.”

Her bottom lip stuck out, and made me chuckle. “Stop that. We’re going out this weekend.”

“Fine, but I’ll miss you.”

“Mmm… How much?” I leaned down and kissed her lips lightly.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. “A lot.” She nipped my bottom lip.

For one whole minute, I almost forgot that I had a ton of things to do. Almost. That was the effect she had on me.

“I got to go babe.”

“Okay, but call me later.”

“I will.” I waved bye and watched as she walked away. Her tight little ass swayed back and forth with each step. She had the cutest butt. I loved watching her walk away. There was much pleasure in the curve of a woman’s back where it met her plump ass, an irresistible pleasure.

I had to shake off the dirty thoughts to keep myself from sporting a boner in front of the guys.

When she walked through the double door and out of my sight, I ran off to the weight room. I was fifteen minutes early. There was no way I was going to give the coach any reason to be pissed off again. He could be brutal.

“My sweaty ass balls are glued to the side of my leg,” Worm yelled out from the bench next to mine. “I’m hitting the showers.”

“Seriously man,” I huffed out a large breath while lifting the bar high above my head. “I didn’t need to know that.” A soft laugh escaped me.

“Just keeping it real.” He called out tossing his sweaty rag in my direction.

“You’re going to The Edge this weekend right?” Jeremy asked. He stood behind me and helped me place the bar back in place.

I sat up and wiped the sweat from my face. “I told you I don’t know yet. Probably, but I have to see how much work I get done today and tomorrow. I don’t need more reasons to fall behind.”

“You’ll be fine.” He insisted. He always insisted. He could be as needy as Holly sometimes.

I rolled my eyes and stood up from the bench. I let out an exasperated breath as I walked over to where the barbells were lined against the wall. Grabbing my choice of weight, I sat down on the bench close by. Slowly I curled the weight up to my chest.

“Coach isn’t even in here. Why are you still lifting?” Jeremy made his way over next to me.

“Some of us still do as we’re told you know? We can’t all be so perfect on the court and slack off.” I retorted.

“Psh.” He smirked. “Whatever, I’m going to take a shower. You better come this weekend.”

Nodding my head I replied, “You know I’ll probably be there.”

My response sufficed him. It didn’t take much to twist my arm. He knew I’d come. That’s probably why my grades were for shit. Too many times I’d went to The Edge or someone’s house party or even spent the night cozied up in the bed with Holly.

Grades didn’t come easy to me. I always had to work hard to rake by, but add slacking off on top of it and it made for a disaster. Now I’d have to spend the rest of the semester digging myself out of the hole I’d buried myself in.

“Quitting time Jack.” The coach called out to me as he walked back into the weight room from his office. I was the only one left in the room and he waved his clipboard around so that I’d notice I was alone.

“Got it coach.”

I placed the weights back against the wall and rushed off to the showers. No one else was in there thankfully, because I wasn’t in the mood to listen to there bullshit. I wanted to hurry and finish and get my ass to the library. Rubbing my hands hard against my scalp I let the warm water rush down over me and rinse away the shampoo.

My record timing shower had me at the library only fifteen minutes after weights was over. The door opened easily, and as I walked inside I immediately scanned the desk for Grace. I knew that she’d be there somewhere. However, I didn’t see her as I walked in and found a table close to the back and beside the window. The seclusion was always nice. I needed complete silence to work. My brain wouldn’t function otherwise.

A couple of times I looked up from my notebook in search of the girl that I couldn’t keep my mind off of. I never saw her though. Maybe she hadn’t come into work after all. I buried myself deeper into my books and tried to pound out some work. She’d just be a distraction anyway.

I don’t know how long I sat there, but I was aware that I had read the last paragraph three times and still had no clue what it said. My eyelids were too heavy and I’d started to lose focus.

“Jackson.” I heard a soft voice call out my name.

When I looked up I saw Grace standing there across from my table. Her head tilted slightly to the side and her blonde braid laid flat against the front of her shirt. I started to speak, but I guess I’d been staring too long. She spoke instead.

“I brought your jacket back. I wasn’t sure if you would be here.” She hesitated. “It’s behind the desk up front.”

“Oh right, my jacket.” I smiled up at her and watched as she shifted her gaze to the floor, and I couldn’t help but smile bigger. She was so shy. “You can keep it if you need it.”

“That’s okay. I’m fine.” She replied.

She took a step back, and I knew that she was about to walk away. I quickly spoke again hoping to keep her there a little longer.

“Hey, do you know anything about college Lit?”

She shook her head and pressed her lips together tightly. “I don’t know. I’ve never taken any college courses.”

I sat my pencil down on the notebook in front of me, and leaned back in my chair. “I’m supposed to write a paper on one of the books on the professor’s list. We had to randomly choose them out of a bucket he passed around the room.”

“That sounds exciting.” Her eyes lit up. “Which book did you choose?”

I held up the paperback and glared at her.

I could tell she was fighting back laughter. “I’m sorry.” She tried to keep a straight face. “You just don’t strike me as a Jane Eyre kind of guy.”

I sat there for a minute keeping a stern look on my face, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I had to laugh too, because she was right. Just her face alone was making me it hard for me to keep my composure.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized again.

“No, I don’t mind. It was funny. You were funny.” I said. “So have you read Jane Eyre, because you do seem like that kind of girl”?

“I have.” She nodded.

I knew it. “Good, sit down.”

“I can’t. I have to get back to work.” She pointed over her shoulder.

“It’ll be okay. I just need someone to read what I’ve written. I have to have a second opinion. My grades are depending on it.” I pouted my lip hoping to sway her decision.

She looked over her shoulder, and then towards me. “Okay.” She held out her hand.

I handed her my paper, and leaned back and watched her as she read.

She hadn’t even made it through the first page when she sat the paper back down on the table.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Uh,” she hesitated.

“Just say it.”

“You haven’t read the book.” She blurted out.

“Yes I have,” I lied.

“Nope.” She shook her head.

“Okay fine. So I skimmed it. Not a big deal.”

“You have to read the book.”

I growled under my breath. “I don’t have enough time now to read the book, and I need a good grade.”

“Well, I’m no literature professor, but he or she will know you didn’t read it. Your information is all wrong.”

“SHIT!” I called out a little too loud.

Grace flinched at my words and took a jolting step back.

“I’m sorry, I just,” I paused for a moment and ran my hands through my hair. “My grades are all ready in the tank and I needed to get a decent grade on this paper. My basketball scholarship is on the line.”

I’d fucking read the book if I had the time, but I don’t, and now I’m screwed.

“Um,” Grace started to speak and I looked up to see a sympathetic look on her face. “I can help you if you’d like.”

She was serious. I could tell. She wouldn’t lie. Girl’s like her didn’t lie.

“You’d do that?”

She shook her head yes, and stepped closer to the table. “We’re closing in about an hour, so I could help you tomorrow if you want. I don’t have to work tomorrow.”

“It’s due tomorrow,” I interjected.

Her cute little nose scrunched up tight when she said, “Well shoot.”

I had to laugh at her. Her words were adorable and delicate just like her.

“Just say it. I want to hear you say it.” I laughed.

“Say what,” she said.

“Shit.” I smiled big. “Come on little Gracie.” I teased. “Say it.”

She rolled her eyes. “What? You think I can’t say it.”

“Nope. You’re innocent little mouth has never said those words.”