Page 47 of Out of Bounds

"With the other football girlfriends. You’re going to sit with them."

She shoved the hard drive into her bag. "It’s six in the morning, Ryan. I’m not in the mood to kumbaya." When I didn’tsay anything, she sighed. "I’ll talk to them tomorrow, okay? Six o’clock, on the dot."

"Showing up on time is part of your contract."

"It’s a first-time offense, ball dribbler."

Why do I like it when she calls me that?

A weird feeling spread through my chest at the nickname. Wracking my brain, I tried to think of the last nickname I had. I honestly couldn’t think of one beyond Four-A-Cross. It wasn’t like ball dribbler was a compliment, but there was something…intimate about someone selecting a teasing title like that.

Isn’t there?

"First practice too," I pointed out, letting my irritation shine through. Irritation at her, irritation at the whole situation, and irritation at that weird feeling in my chest.

Kassie swung back. "I already said I would. Can you relax?"

"Can I—?"

"If you clenched any harder, that stick up your ass would turn into adiamond."

I stared at her, mystified.

Football practice slowed down. It wasn’t the kind of attention that Cleo wanted. It wasn’t the kind I needed. And even if our head intern was up in her office, I was kidding myself if I thought Miles didn’t report to her.

Kassie didn’t listen to directions. That couldn’t continue. It was the first and last time anybody chewed me out on my training field.

I set my jaw. "You’ll be here at six tomorrow."

"Ooo, if I get here early, do we all hold each other and sing campfire songs? Do we clap hands and play the name game?"

That was something she didn’t want tested out. "You keep this up and I’ll have all of them lined up for your welcome speech to the family. Right here, right now."

Her cheeks flushed. "What a bunch of—they’re college guys, they wouldn’t—"

"Want a bet? Do it. See what happens." I dipped down close and the scent of her strawberry lotion washed over me. "I tell them to jump, they ask how high. I’m the team captain, Kassie. That’s how this works."

"Well, you’re not mine." She jutted her chin. "Your micromanaging is insane. I’m not your teammate. I’m not your ball dribbler. And I’m sure as shit not one of your dancing monkeys."

That did it.

"You’re right. You’re not. Because, if you were,youwould’ve been here ontime."

The brief taste of satisfaction was sweet, but soured the moment Kassie’s face did. She didn’t say anything.

She passed me on the outskirts of the field, and I thought she was taking her path toward the football girlfriends. They seemed to think so too. A few of them even waved at her. That didn’t last. With a sharp right turn, Kassie’s sneakers crunched through the grass on her way to our locker room.

Locker room?

At first, I didn’t move.

We had another hour of training before a third of the players tapered off for early classes. But I could see Coach Lawson at the other side of the field, waving his clipboard to get my attention. He wasn’t the only one trying to get involved. I hadn't been imagining it. Every available eye on the field was on us, Miles included.

And there Kassie went. Hips swinging, no words, no threat.

She doesn’t need it.

I cursed under my breath and nodded towards the coach in a clear sign to give me ten.

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