Page 45 of The Playbook

With a sigh, I made my way over to chemistry class and flopped down in my seat after shaking her off. Grace came in a few minutes later.

“Hey, Gracie,” I greeted her as she sat beside me.

She gave me a small smile, which warmed my heart and immediately put me in a better mood.

I leaned closer to her. “What are you doing Friday?”

“Well…" She tilted her head thoughtfully, her pencil tapping on her plump lips. “I’m coming to school, and then there’s the football game that I’ll be marching and drumming at. After that, I’ll be trying to avoid the quarterback because I think he’s stalking me.” Her eyes grew wide and serious as she stared back at me.

A loud laugh exploded from my chest, causing the rest of the class to look in our direction.

“Let’s say the quarterback manages to get to you. Do you think you’d want to hang out with him? I have it on good authority that you’re ungrounded on Friday.”

“I don’t know—”

“Come on, Grace. You’re killing me here,” I groaned.

“I-I can’t Friday. I told you, I have plans.”

“Plans? Grace youjustsaid you weren’t doing anything after the game.”

“That’s not true. I said I was going to be trying to avoid you. Trust me, it’s a lot more work than you think it is.” Again with the innocent, green eyes.

“You’re hanging out with me. End of story.”

“You’re far too certain, Walker.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “What will we do anyway?”

“There’s a clique party—”

“Hell no.” She shook her head so fiercely that her mass of hair moved around her like a black silk storm.

I had the sudden urge to run my fingers through it. Without thinking logically, I reached forward and captured a lock and rubbed it between my fingers.

“You’re being weird,” her voice shook.

“Birds of a feather.” I gave her a wink and released her hair, my heart hammering a mad rhythm in my chest.

We didn’t get to continue our conversation because class started. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Grace scribbled notes, her perfect lips parted. My chest ached a little when I realized how much I wanted to know what she tasted like. I imagined sugar with maybe a hint of spice, just like her personality.

“Mr. Walker, care to answer?” Mr. Benson’s voice cut through my wild thoughts.

Shit. I looked around, clearing my throat. I had no clue what the question even was. Benson knew it too because he wore a smirk on his face as he stared me down.

“Sorry, Mr. Benson. I didn’t hear the question.”

“I asked if sodium hydroxide is an acid or base.” He continued to stare at me, the irritating smirk still on his face.

Who the hell cared?I fidgeted beneath his stare.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Grace write something down.

Base.

I cleared my throat. “It’s a base.”

Mr. Benson lifted his brows at me. “That’s right.” He went back to the board and began writing.

I let out a breath of relief. I managed to make it through the rest of the class without being called on again. As soon as the bell rang, I jumped out of my seat and hurried to walk next to Grace.

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