Page 30 of The Risk Taker

“Wait,” she says before I can disconnect the call. “Did something happen?”

“Not really. Carlson was just an idiot tonight. We got into it at the bar. And Madison stormed out.”

“You and Connor got into it? Why?”

“He was messing around with another girl before Mads showed up. And I overheard him talking shit about her.”

Oakley sighs, and I sense her anger over the line even if I can’t see her. “I’ve never liked him.”

“Yeah … well … neither have I.”

“Did you hit him?”

“No, but I wanted to.”

She chuckles. “I kind of wish you had. He deserves it for doing that to her.”

“You want me to turn around? The night is still young …”

She laughs again, louder this time. “Yes … no …”

I smile, knowing exactly what she means.

“Are you headed home?” she asks.

“Pulling into my apartment complex right now.”

She exhales. “Okay, Ollie. Good night.”

“Night, Oak.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

MADISON

The shrill of the steamer overtakes the music streaming through the café as the barista works across the room. I repeat the same sentence that I’ve read three times in the last minute and then sigh in defeat. My forehead hits the surface of the book with a thump.

Oakley’s soft laughter reaches my ears. “Did you hit a wall?” she asks knowingly.

“Yes.” My voice is muffled against the pages.

“Good thing you’re never dramatic,” she snarks.

I lift my head and reach for my latte, taking a sip before I answer. “Dead week is a blessing and a curse.”

Dead week is what we call the days before final exams. It’s full of studying, completing papers, projects, and preparing for tests. Oh, and partying. Oakley and I are at our favorite coffee shop, hoping caffeine will improve our ability to focus. The place is full, so it looks like we weren’t the only ones looking for a location change. The coffee seems to be working for Oakley. I’m the one failing miserably.

“How can you still concentrate?” I grumble.

“Uh … because I have to. So do you.”

All of Oakley’s tests are at the beginning of next week. She’ll move out of the dorms and be gone by Wednesday night. My last final is on Friday, so I won’t be leaving until they kick me out right before the weekend.

My phone starts vibrating, and I see my mom’s name flash across the screen. It seems like a good excuse to take a break, so I rise to answer the call while gesturing to my friend that I’m heading outside. Oakley nods and pulls her attention back to the laptop in front of her as I move away.

“Hey, Mom,” I say as I push through the glass door. I lean on the exterior wall a few feet from the entrance as the sunrays land on my skin, instantly warming it.

“It happened!” Mom practically yells. Her voice sounds breathless with barely contained excitement.

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