Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 550(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
I shrug. “Sure.”
“All right.” Ballsy claps, then rubs his hands together. “Shit just got a whole lot more interesting.”
The entire party gathers around the beer pong table, which is actually an air hockey table I’m pretty sure we’re destroying.
The Solo cups full of beer float left and right to make it difficult for us.
It’s Mac’s turn, and he misses the beer cup, and everyone hoots and cheers and laughs.
I spot Bailey from the corner of my eye drawing closer, peering at the game curiously.
“My turn!” Austin steps forward. “Bailey, give us a good luck kiss, baby.”
He shoves his cheek to her line of sight, and she grins, making eye contact with me before giving him a peck.
Austin slides the ball effortlessly into a floating cup. I’m shaking with rage.
When it’s my turn, I put the ball in.
Grim misses and curses. He is agitated and sweating. I wish I could break the news to him right now, but to be honest, I think he would draw much more joy from it if I win this game, quietly step down without anyone knowing, and have it appear like he one-upped me on the field and was given the captainship directly from Coach Taylor.
I’m three points ahead, losing steam from my initial edge on Grim, when Bailey props a hip against the air hockey table.
She is right beside me. I don’t look at her, already bruised from the verbal whiplash from earlier.
Grim slam-dunks the Ping-Pong ball into a cup, and everyone roars in ecstasy.
He just might win after all.
“You can do it, Grim,” I hear Dove say, reminding me of the good times when she would cheer on every game of mine. Home field and away.
How I took all we had for granted, and still, greedy me, wanted more.
Now she is on whoever-isn’t-me’s team.
“Stay close, Bailey. He loses his mind every time you breathe in another guy’s direction,” Grim instructs her, popping another ball into a beer cup.
Bailey grins at him, perching her ass on the hockey table, her back to me and looking at Grim. “How’ve you been, Grim?”
“Yeah, not bad. How’s Juilliard?”
“Awesome.”
Awesome my ass. I bite my tongue and breathe through my nose, popping balls into cups.
“You look good,” Grim flirts. “Even dressed like an aging cowboy from a bad eighties flick.”
“Hey!” Maria protests from the back of the room. “I heard that.”
“Good,” Grim barks back. “Now you can do something about it. You’re welcome.” He redirects his attention to Bailey. “Is Lev giving you trouble?”
“What else can he give a woman?” Bailey scoffs.
The little liar. I could bring her to climax without laying a finger on her.
“My patience is running thin,” I warn both of them.
“Aw, that makes one of you.” Bailey examines her pretty nails with a pout. “Because your ass sure isn’t moving faster than a jog on the field.”
“Burn!” All the football squad laughs in unison. “Holy damn, Cole!”
“Bailey, move away,” I clip out.
“You’re not the boss of me.” She’s in rare form.
She might be on one of her post-withdrawal mood swings. I read those can last for months after.
And normally I’d be sympathetic to her situation, but not when she’s grilling my ass and I’m already raw.
“Maybe not, but we both know I still own your ass, so you better listen.”
“Buuuuurn!” People laugh and crumple their Solo cups.
“At least I pay my way through most of my stuff,” she taunts back. “Remind me how much your car costs?”
“Less than the rehab you’re headed to,” I bite out.
The insult lands straight where it’s supposed to, and her breath catches.
Her cheeks turn red. We stare at each other for a second.
“Someone just lit a bonfire in Donnie’s backyard!” a stoner from my class hollers from the terrace. “It’s pretty awesome guys, come see.”
“Sorry, the best show in the state is right in front of us.” Grim laughs. I swallow hard, doing what I’ve never done before—I lose on purpose.
Pretend to aim the ball in front of the cup. Swallow hard. And throw it slightly to the right.
It misses by at least three inches.
People roar and holler in excitement. “Yo, Grim is the new football captain, everyone!”
Grim is legit jumping up and down he is so happy, and though I pretend to be a sourpuss about it, I’m actually pretty happy.
“Oof.” I puff my cheeks, spinning the Ping-Pong ball on my finger like it’s a basketball.
“Always thought losing was a part of your DNA makeup. But apparently there is a ball game you’re good at.”
Grim’s nostrils flare, and I know I deserve to get my ass kicked for the bullshit I spewed out.
He keeps it classy, though, smiling wide and big again to show me that he doesn’t care.
“See, kids? That’s what happens when you live your life as a coward. Too chickenshit to claim the girl you love, too scared to tell Daddy you don’t wanna play ball.” He takes a step toward me, the tip of his nose almost touching mine. “One day you just…” He snaps his fingers between us. “Explode. I’m going to let you detonate, Lev Cole, so that in the end, you’ll be left with nothing but ruins.”