Page 56 of Bump and Run

“The next quiz is on Thursday,” the professor says as she moves to the front of the room. “It’ll cover chapters four and five, so be ready.”

I stuff the quiz into my backpack, not really caring how crumbled it gets inside. The last thing I want to do is get a tutor to help me out but I can’t get another failing quiz grade without my adviser taking notice. I don’t want to let Cary Pierce down either.

The professor dismisses us and I keep my head down as I navigate to the front towards the exit.

As I round the corner in the hallway, a harsh whistle strikes my ears.

“Oh, Lover Boy.”

I pause, glancing over to find Eliza’s friend, Grant, leaning against the wall with a cup of coffee in each hand. He holds one out to me and I take it with confusion.

“What—”

“Shh,” he says, turning the cup around to show me the name written on the side.

“Buzz buzz?”I read.

A second later, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I reach for it to find a new text from Eliza.

Library. Second floor. Study room B. Now.

“Thanks,” I tell Grant.

He nods at me and smiles before taking a silent sip from his cup and gesturing me away.

I don’t move. “So, you’re going to be her little messenger boy, eh?”

“I prefer the term liaison, but sure.”

I chew on my tongue. The fewer people that know about me and Eliza, the better. “How much has she told you…?”

“Relax,”he smirks. “I’ve been hiding trysts from my parents since I was fourteen. I’ve got you covered.”

I nod. “But what exactly do you get out of this?”

Grant stands up off the wall with a devious glint in his eyes. “Well… now that you mention it. You live with Ty Fisher, right?”

“I do.”

He raises his shoulders. “Let’s just say if my name comes up… you put in a good word or two.”

I quickly decipher his meaning but I’ve known Ty for a long time. “I don’t want to disappoint you, Grant, but I think you might be barking up the wrong tree on that one.”

Grant takes a short step closer, smiling softly with knowing eyes. “You worry about the pussy. Let me worry about the dogs, all right?” He taps my cheek twice with his palm and spins on his heels to take off in the opposite direction. “Bye, Lover Boy.”

My phone vibrates again in my hand.

I said now.

I smile and rush outside, charging down the sidewalk towards the library across campus.

* * *

Honestly,I didn’t even know the library had private study rooms. This might explain why my grades have avalanched into the damn ground.

I turn the handle to study room B and push the door open. At first glance, the room is empty with the exception of a small, two-person table and two chairs. I sense movement behind the door, along with the pleasant aroma of Eliza Pierce’s perfume.

“Close the door,” she whispers.

---