Page 117 of Out of Bounds

"I’m only here for twenty-three minutes."

"That makes more sense."

I waited until the new girl wandered off to Zariah, who was still struggling with my gift. "Adam, you’re not supposed to sleep with the RAs."

"That rule applies next semester. I checked."

I sighed. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Doesn’t it? It made Coach Lawson feel better. Because I heard the whole speech yesterday. His stepdaughter’s transferring—yadda, yadda, yadda—if anybody touches her, he’ll skin them alive—"

I rubbed my temples. "If I could get you neutered at a vet clinic, I would."

"Kassie’s humor is rubbing off on you."

Squeezing between us, Zariah held up a wrapped envelope with a purple bow on top. "I did what I could, Ryan."

"It’s perfect."

"Who’s that—?” Adam stopped himself and guffawed. “I know who it’s for.”

The answer walked right through the door and I stuffed the envelope back in my pocket. Kassie hurried inside with a Marrs sweatshirt on and her hair pulled up in a messy bun. So beautiful. And she washappy.

Before I could cross through the restaurant, Zariah beat me to it. She ducked and dodged between the tables before she threw her arms around her roommate, crushing her in a hug.

“I’m so proud, you’re going to kick so much ass.” Kassie laughed until Zariah whispered something to her that I didn’t catch.

Kassie’s eyes flickered up and met mine.

"Hey," I called out and made my way over.

“I thought you had…a gym slot?” Kassie asked slowly as we walked up to the table together with Zariah. “Like a back-to-back one?”

“Got up early.”I couldn’t sleep. “Went to the gym before practice.”

“How many times do I have to remind you what sleep is?” she sighed and pulled out her chair before I could.

45

Ryan

Because Of Me

Orders were taken. We were a mixture of drinks and Xs crossed over the back of our hands. Zariah, her brother, and a few of her friends were still sophomores. And I actually got to ask Kassie about her day before the food came out.

A waitress strode over with steaming pizza on a silver tray. She cocked her head to the side and took stock. "I’ve got three pepperoni, five orders of breadsticks, five orders ofGianna’sJalapeño Cheese Sticks, three—ohno."

Damn.

I knew who she had to be talking to. I frowned at Adam. "What’d you do?"

But the waitress wasn’t looking at Adam. Her eyes bore into Elijah’s, and he offered her an easy smile, the complete opposite of the look of disgust on the waitress’s face. She slammed thedishes to the table, and once she had a free hand, she snapped her fingers at the hockey player. "Your ban still stands.Out."

"Yourban?" Zariah demanded.

Elijah spread his hands apart. "You’re in one bar fight and—"

"Threebar fights and you started them," the waitress corrected him, placing a hand on her hip. "I’m not cleaning up glass on a Wednesday.Out."

---