Page 25 of Trick Shot
Kent’s patronizing smile makes me think he’s about to let me down gently and tell me Santa isn’t real. “If you know the right people, the rules can bend a little. You know what I mean?”
“No, what do you mean?” I ask, proud of myself for keeping a straight face.
“Let’s just say that there are gray areas.”
“What else is a gray area?” I ask, leaning in and picking up my beer.
“It might be too late to give you this tip, but there are certain professors you want for marine bio and certain professors to avoid.”
“Which ones? I have Navarro, and she’s pretty nice.”
He winces. “Rookie mistake. Navarro and Azarian are on the no-go list. Lipman and Trostle are the ones you want.”
I nod, like I’m mentally taking notes. Which, I guess I am. “Are their lectures really good?”
Kent finishes his beer and sets it down on the counter. “Yeah, they’re phenomenal. You know why? They’re basically optional. I’ve barely been to class all week.”
I shake my head. “That might be fun now, but how are you going to get credit for the course?”
The only word I can think of to describe his smile isslimy. He’s giving off lizard vibes when he looks at me and says, “The portfolio. You know that binder they’re making us log all our data into? There are a couple old copies from previous semesters floating around. People just copy those and turn them in for credit. The profs never know. They change some stuff, but it’s easy to find the answers. But there’s an even better way. You know Mandi, right?” he asks, pointing at my roommate. God, this guy is clueless. I literally walked in with her tonight.
“Yeah, we’ve met,” I say.
His voice gets quieter, like he’s letting me in on a little secret. “Her roommate’s a real bitch, I guess, but she’s also a straight-A student. So, Mandi just copies her stuff over. We’re all gonna pass with flying colors this year.”
I have nothing to say to that. My jaw is literally hanging open.
“I know, right? Fuckin’ brilliant. “
“You’re a genius,” I say, masking the sarcasm in my voice. “So, if I was able to skip one of Navarro’s classes, all I’d have to do is ask Mandi for her binder so I could get the answers?”
Kent looks me up and down and the way his eyes linger at my breasts makes me want to puke, but I’ve come this far and I’m sure as shit not leaving without an answer to my question.
“We don’t pass the binder to just anybody,” he says, hiswords dripping with lechery, “but Mandi doesn’t hang onto it. It’s too risky, and like I said, her roommate’s a total bitch. Shane’s got it now, I think, but if you want some of the answers, just ask me.”
“You wouldn’t mind sharing?” My eyes are wide with utter disbelief for what these fucknuggets are up to, but I’m hoping my look reads as hopeful and horny.
“I don’t share with just anyone, but I feel like I can trust you.”
“You can tell me anything,” I say, because even though I want to kick him in his balls, I also want him to spill all the details about this stupid scheme.
You want another beer?” he asks.
I’ve barely touched the one he gave me, but if it’ll keep him talking, I’ll let him open all the beers he wants. Just as I say yes, though, there’s a burst of noise and we look behind us to see half a dozen people spill through the doorway. A tall brunette looks hungrily at Kent and he returns the look before sparing a glance back at me.
“I should go say hello. Some of my frat brothers just got here. But if you want to meet up sometime about that binder, let me know. Mandi has my number.”
Fuck. I’m being dismissed and the last thing I want to do is attract attention. Kent might not know who I am, but I recognize a few faces here, and I’d rather they not notice me. “I totally will, thanks,” I say. “Oh, and is there a bathroom I can use?”
“Down the hall and to the left,” he says, pointing in that direction as he walks away from me and toward the brunette.
I take his directions and find the bathroom easily. Locking the door behind me, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and count to ten so I don’t lose my shit, punch the mirror, and break my hand.That. Fucking. Bitch. And thoseassholes. All of them. My body is vibrating with anger, so when my phone buzzes with a text, it takes a moment for my brain to catch on.
Reagan: These guys are so hot. And they have a hot tub. Double the hot. We’re going skinny dipping. You should come!
I can think of a dozen reasons I don’t want to go skinny dipping with Mandi and her crew right now, but instead of texting back that I don’t feel like going to prison for drowning anyone, I tell a little fib.
Claire: Met a hottie of my own! I’m heading back to the dorms with him.
