Page 206 of Out of Bounds

Sounds of sympathy came from almost everyone at the table but that wasn’t why I’d hit up Zariah to see where she was at. I double-checked my phone, making sure I had the time right.

“I lost a bet,” I explained. “And Kassie wants my car for some stuff in the art building.”

Zariah shifted up. I knew she knew what I was talking about.

To the side, King shook his head. “The art building closes earlier than everywhere on campus.”

“If you don’t have the access codes, it does.” Zariah narrowed her eyes. “That is if Iwantto go.”

“Oh, we’re breaking and entering?” Adam pushed his way into the conversation. “Crazy. The one thing I’ve actually never done before.”

I frowned. “I’m asking Zariah.”

“Heard loud and clear.” Adam shifted to look at Zariah. “Are you going with?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“And this is for Kassie?” King pressed.

"I want to know too." Adam cracked his knuckles. "If it’s for the illustrator-in-chief, I’ll do it for her. If it’s for you, I just won a football game a couple of days ago. I’m busy."

I was taken aback. "Itisfor Kassie—"

"Good, I’ll do it."

King nodded. "I’m in."

"But you wouldn’t do it for me?" I frowned. "What the hell?"

"You skip too many of my parties." Adam sighed. "Quiz me, I don’t even know you anymore. What’s Ryan’s last name? No idea. What position does he play? Waterboy."

"Kassie draws me like a superhero." King grinned.

I shifted to face Zariah who gave a loud sigh when she spotted me. “So…do you want to come with?”

“Well, you can’t go inwithoutme.’

“And?”

“Fine.” Zariah sighed. “What time?”

83

Kassie

The Fucking Backseat

I had a full conversation with the graphic design department with a complete PowerPoint of the animation work I’ve been dedicated to of the football team and homemade cupcakes. Literally, the elbow grease was unbelievable. And I didn’t ask for much—all I wanted was an opportunity to prove myself and work on the same programs they did.

With a complete absence of dignity, I raced to Ryan’s car, sneakers pounding against the concrete, and yanked open the car door, sliding in like I was getting chased.

“What’d they say?” Ryan demanded before I could even put my seatbelt on.

“They fucking loved it,” I blurted out, rocking back against the chair, grinning so hard my face hurt. “Look—I got a list of passwords—they gave me a list ofpasswords—”

“I knew you could do it.” He grinned and turned back to the steering wheel but I wasn’t done with him.

I placed my hand on the side of his neck and inched up to his jaw, the jaw that I could draw in my sleep, and his eyes flickered over, surprised. God, he was so motherwatering. And the last time I saw him was at practice and they’d yanked him away from me before I could say two words from him.

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