Page 12 of Crimson Promises
When I was done stretching, I lay down in the grass. It was warm against my skin and tickled the sensitive spot behind my knees. I could see the top of Ol' Eleanor (the castle building) if I tipped my head far enough. Closing my eyes, I basked in the heat of the sun.I’ll just lie here for a few more minutes.My first day of work was still several hours away.
* * *
Ouch. My arms flung around my stomach; it felt as though someone had gut-punched me.
Where am I? What time is it?A green and navy foam football rolled a foot away from me.
A tall blonde jogged over. He squatted down to reach for the ball. “Please tell me that didn’t hit you.”
My cheeks grew hot. “It did.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure we move over.” He grimaced. Looking over his shoulder, he said, “Derek, you idiot, you hit a girl. Learn to throw a little better, will ya.”
Once he approached, I recognized him from the one pep rally I attended when I first joined Arch Cape University. Riley Jones, ACU’s beloved quarterback. Last year, he had scored the winning touchdown against ACU’s rival to make their way to the state championship. The next time I saw him, I had been on my way to my sanctuary of solitude. Riley had been chatting to a group of girls, his arm resting around the waist of a leggy redhead wearing an Alpha Chi sweater—typical jock. But as I jogged past, he had averted his attention from the group of girls and locked eyes with me. The redhead had noticed, following his gaze to me and pulling his arm to force him to look down at her pouty expression. And here he was again, sans redhead.
I shook my head.Not going to happen.I had nothing in common with those people. It was safer in the comfort of the library.
“Honestly, don’t worry about it. I need to get going anyways.”
“Let me help you up, at least.” He extended a hand towards me.
I grabbed his forearm by accident. It was firm and taut. “Thank you.”
“Sorry again about that.” He pivoted towards his buddy Derek, the muscles on his broad shoulders flexed as he threw the ball pretty far in a perfectly arched spiral.
I reached down to tap my Apple Watch and was greeted by a blank screen.Great, and I left my phone at home.That’s what you get for saving money on a cellular version of your watch and leaving your phone at home. These nightmares were throwing me off. I thought I had charged it last night. Obviously, I didn’t. “Do you mind letting me know the time?”
He glanced at his watch. “10:45.” He was easily 6’4 and broad-shouldered.
“AM?”
“I’m going to go with yes since it isn’t pitch black out right now.”
“Right, of course. That would make sense. I need to up my caffeine intake.” I started to gather all my stuff in a rush.I cannot be late for my first day of work. “Thanks again.”
“I’m the one who should be saying thank you. You were the one who was gracious after being sucker punched by a football. Let me make it up to you. Help you increase that caffeine intake.”
I glanced up at him, surprised he even knew what the word gracious meant. Guys like Riley Jones never talked to girls like me. I had twenty years of history to prove it.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re all good. I need to go. But see you around.”
He moved to block my path. “Come on. Go out with me. It won’t be so bad.”
I had to leave. But what else did I have going on? My grandmother had more of a raging social life than I did, her weekly bingo, bridge games, and weekend trips to Portland, Seattle, or San Francisco. It was pitiful. Maybe he wasn’t that douchey. Everyone deserves a chance, right?
“Hand me your phone.”
His eyes widened just a fraction. "Oh. Yeah. Of course. Here it is.”
I typed in my number and saved it under ‘Ol’ Eleanor’. When I handed it back to him, he glanced up at me. Brows pinched together. “Wait. I never got your name.”
“You never asked.”
“What is it?”
Backing up while snapping my waist belt back in place, I just shrugged my shoulders.
He winked at me in return.
