Page 30 of Savage Rose

Me:Ouch. LOL

Max:LOL it’s true, though. I can do some digging while I’m in guidance. I have access to a bunch of stuff.

Max:Some stuff I’m not supposed to really see, but I can take a peek.

“See something you like, Red?”

I glance up from my phone to find the entire cross-country team has disappeared from where we’d been stretching just two minutes ago while I’ve been glued to my phone. Xander stands right across the fence from me, a smug grin on his face.

“You can stop calling me thatanytime now.” I look back down before I murmur, “And yeah. Number eighteen looks delicious in his gray joggers today.”

Xander looks toward the field, and then back at me, cocking his head to the side.Oh my, if looks could kill.His nostrils flare, and he grips the football hard in his big hand. “You know, I’d believe that you were looking at someone else if you weren’t so busy giving me those fuck-me eyes.”

“I wasn’t looking at anything but my phone. Get over yourself.” I turn and walk away, feeling his hot gaze on me the whole way.

Chapter 21

After classes the next day, I make a quick stop by Mrs. Harden’s room to drop off my late work. She’s sitting at her desk when I poke my head in and knock on the open door.

“Come on in, Scarlett. Thanks for turning in that assignment. What can I do for you?”

My mouth opens and closes a few times. “Uh…”

The perplexed look on my face must betray the direction of my thoughts.

“What’s wrong?”

I hadn’t turned in my assignment.So, who had?I hold up the work I’d completed last night. “I don’t know who turned that in, but I just redid it last night.”

The woman may be old, but she’s not stupid. “So, the whispers I heard were correct, then. Someone took it from you so you couldn’t turn it in during class?”

“I guess so.” I shrug. “I left the room for a few minutes, then came back in with Max. I, um, tripped and fell and was a little embarrassed.”

“I see.” She squints her eyes, staring more closely at my expression, but doesn’t say anything else.

I hand her the fresh assignment. “I don’t think they are much different, but—”

“I’ll give you credit for the higher of the two scores.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.” I turn to leave.

“Scarlett?”

I pause and glance back over my shoulder. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Be careful. This academy is full of vindictive, spiteful people who come from some of the most important, wealthy families in the area. Watch your back. It sounds like someone isn’t playing nice.”

I nod and give her a tight smile. “I’m learning that quickly. Thank you.”

* * *

Once I’ve had my conversation with Mrs. Harden, I drop by Coach Lance’s office to explain my holdup. “Just get on out there, Scarlett. No harm done, just don’t make a practice of tardiness.”

“No sir, I won’t.”

I quickly change into leggings, a sports bra, and a T-shirt and hit the trail just a few minutes later. I put in my earbuds and take off through a wooded area I haven’t checked out before, skipping the trail that goes near the football field for obvious reasons.

Less than ten minutes into my run, a hand clamps down on my shoulder. Spinning around and gasping for air, I get ready to fight someone off, if need be. I jerk to a stop and blink a few times in disbelief that Xander has had the gall to follow me out here. I tear the earbuds from my ears as I study his face. He’s breathing hard, and his dark eyes are a deep, complex sea—and riveted to mine.

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