Page 205 of Out of Bounds

He was still for a moment and slowly, he nodded. “I know.”

“I’m sorry, Ryan.”

“It’s okay, art girl.” He dipped down and kissed my thigh.

“See, I just don’t get any homework done when it’s you and me and it’s the only time I can finish up projects and—” I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

His kiss deepened on my thigh and I squirmed for a moment before he reached out to hold me down, sucking gently on the skin, giving me yet another hickey to add to the collection.

“I know, baby,” he whispered. “I know.”

82

Ryan

Lost A Bet

I had a sixteen minute break in the training center that I took full advantage of by jogging toGianna’s. Everything was slipping away too fast.

My days were full of practice and gameplan meetings and more meetings and sponsorship agreements and required time at the gym when my trainors clocked me and weighed me and pushed me. Some mornings I had to skip practice for my own personal sessions and I didn’t even see Kassie until the evening.

It was a deep pang in my muscles, a constant reminder of what I was missing out on while I was preparing for the draft in April. Of what I’d be missing out on the moment she transferred.

I pushed open the door toGianna’sand scanned the tables, settling on the one person who could help me out with a bet that needed to be settled.

“Hey, friend stealer,” Zariah greeted me, holding up her soda.

“Zariah.” I nodded to her, taking one of the empty chairs.

“Someone’s sitting there.”

“They’re not sitting here now.”

She gave me a long look and took a drink of her soda. “Kassie is staying at your dorm than she’s atours.”

“Dude, who let you out of the training center?” a voice interrupted me and I glanced up with surprise at Adam and King, with their backpacks on.

“I don’t have time right now.” I nodded towards Zariah, clearly showing I was in the middle of a conversation.

King raised his eyebrows. “You’re in my seat.”

For a couple of seconds, I legitimately thought they were kidding. But June pushed through the door right after them, and I had to take the other chair while the others sat around the table.

“You guys really hang out together?” I finally asked.

“Usually Kassie’s here,” Adam said. “Where is she?”

“Design department,” I answered automatically.

It was weird to think that they hung out with my girlfriend more than they hung out with me. I just didn’t have the time. On other days I didn’t, but I made time for this.

“I’ve got two free hours today,” I told them.

“Woah.” June whistled. “How?”

Adam threw me a look. “Holy shit, it finally happened. Cleo asked you to kill somebody and you caved in. You’re a sick man, Cross.”

“No, it’s worse…” I grimaced. “I have to do a commercial and wear the Romans mascot.”

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