Page 29 of Savage Rose

I sigh, pushing my uneaten food away from me. “It’s like I can’t get free. Like he’s—I feel like he’s trying to—” I shudder involuntarily as I search for the right way to explain it. “Like, see inside me? Is that weird?”

Max snorts. “Well, he’d probably like to do something inside you all right, but I’m not sure it’s quite the way you’re thinking.”

Daphne smacks him. “Max, you’re so bad.”

“I just call ’em like I see ’em, ladies. And that dude’s got it bad. Now, why all the bullshit, I have no idea.”

“Me either. Speaking of, who do you think stole my homework? Because I definitely did it and it’s not anywhere.”

Max shrugs. “My bet’s on Aria. She seems to have it out for you, too. I mean, for obvious reasons, I think, based on her man’s interest in you.”

“Seriously? Someone took yourhomework?”Daphne looks appalled, which doesn’t surprise me one bit given what I’ve learned about her bona fide nerd status in the last week.

“Yeah. I mean, I had it before all hell broke loose in there, and then it was gone when I went to turn it in.”

Max shakes his head. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”

Chapter 20

Ifind myself a small group to run with for practice. Kari, our captain, happens to be in it and once we’re done for the day, she and I wind up next to each other at the fence that separates the football field and track from the stands. As we move through some simple stretches, I swear she keeps giving me funny looks. Finally, I angle myself toward her, leaning on the fence.

“Is there something you want to say to me? Because I feel like you’re trying to work yourself up to it, and the weird tension is killing me.”

She glances at me, lip tucked between her teeth. She takes another few seconds to pull her foot up to her butt and push her hips forward. “Um. Yeah. I guess I was just wondering how you managed to get a scholarship? I’ve asked around and confirmed that there’s only supposed to be one scholarship given out for each sport.”

I shrug. “I can only tell you what we were told—that I was being granted a scholarship for cross-country. Is it a problem? Am I stealing your thunder or something? Because I didn’t come here to try to take over as captain or anything. I just like to run.”

She shakes her head. “It’s just weird. Anyway, it’s whatever. I guess we’ll both prove ourselves in the first meet, right?” She gives me a tight smile.

“Oh!” It hits me that I need to ask about the team T-shirts. “I’ve been meaning to ask, could you tell me about when we’re supposed to wear the team T-shirts? Is it for meets or …?”

Kari’s brow wrinkles. “What are you talking about?” She switches legs and leans into her stretch.

“Someone left a T-shirt on my bag last week that had a runner on the front with …” At her confused look, I don’t finish my sentence. I don’t know what to make of it. “Never mind.”Tell me someone didn’t have that awfulRun like your worst nightmare is chasing youT-shirt made just for me?Someone around here obviously has way too much time on their hands.

She gives me an apologetic look and takes off for the locker room.

Me:Okay, I need some confirmation on the scholarship thing. Is there really only one per sport? And if so, how do Kari and I both have one?

Daphne:Well, you’re a good runner, right?

Me:I mean, yeah. But worthy of them coughing up a second scholarship?

Me:My ego isn’t that big.

Daphne:I was nervous to tell you this before, but my mom is on the scholarship committee. I can talk to her. I’m pretty sure you weren’t on the list for the athletic ones.

Daphne:With a name like Scarlett, I’d have remembered, you know?

Me:Yeah. I get it. But I don’t—if that makes sense.

Me:I’ve had multiple people comment now.

Me:What if some of what’s going on lately doesn’t have anything to do with Xander?

Max:Maybe somebody is freaking about the scholarship for some reason.

Daphne:Well, that’s dumb. Who even cares? Kari isn’t even the best runner on the team. That’s why they gave her the captain position.

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