Page 59 of Penalty Shots

Rina watches my every move. "Looking for something?"

"Forget it."

She rounds the corner to her desk and opens a drawer, reaching in and tossing me a red lollipop. I glance at it just sitting there in my lap and look up to meet her eyes.

"You have to trust me, okay?"

My eyes trail down the curve of her pantsuit. She looks powerful, professional, and in control. And what I want more than anything is to shatter that control of hers.

I get up, unwrapping the lollipop as I move in. "Okay, Your Majesty. I'll play the game." I lift the lollipop and drag it over her perfectly pouty lips. Then I lean in and lick the taste of it from them. "But I'll be thinking of the taste of you on my tongue the entire time."

I watch that vein in her neck pulse and feel the tiniest bit of satisfaction seeing it.

Chapter 17

Rina

18 years old | Finals Week

Ipull my backpack strap closer to my body and look around for the guy that everybody knows. The last time I was here was the first time I met him. And now, he's the guy I can't shake because he's made it his life's mission to get me to pass my English finals with flying colors.

And it's made just slightly more uncomfortable by the fact that he and Jenny broke up a few days ago.

Neither one of them has really talked about why. Instead, all I get are vague answers, such as 'it's for the best.' But Jenny was very adamant about me going through with the tutoring plan. She wants to see me ace my English final just as much as I do. And even though we're both very different, I'm leaning into my forced friendship with the preppy cheerleader.

The doors open to the coffee shop, and Keelan strolls in. He looks calm and is sucking on… a cigarette?

Nope, that's a lollipop.

He glances around the busy shop, and the moment he sees me, a smile cracks on his face. "There you are. Sorry, practice ran late."

"We really don't have to do this, you know."

Keelan's brows furrow as he approaches me. "Are you kidding me?Yourgrade is now my grade. We're seeing this through."

He looks around the shop for a table, but there are none. "Maybe just not here."

"Library's packed too," I tell him. I push my glasses up my nose.

"Ok, ok…. hmm. Let me think. Oh! Ryker's out visiting his brother. He just left. We can go back to my dorm."

Alone? In Keelan's dorm room? "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why not? It's quiet. Nobody will bother us."

I give the coffee shop one more glance. It feels like the space has gotten progressively louder since arriving.

"Ok, you win. Lead the way, team captain."

His smile is radiant as he opens the door and holds it out for me. "Did you see that win at yesterday's game?"

"I didn't personally, but judging from the afterparty on campus that didn't let up until four in the morning—it must've been good."

"Are you ever going to come watch me play? I keep inviting you, and you always seem to find an excuse." He looks over at me as I struggle to match his strides.

Watching Keelan in his element wouldn't be so bad. But that would also mean taking this arrangement beyond just tutor and student and into the realm of friendship.

"Can't I just get the post-game cliff notes?"

---