Page 46 of The Jester and His Outlaw: Part One

“Not even if I buy you ice cream?”

I consider his words. That’s a wonderful offer, tempting.Very tempting.

After the weeks I’ve had here at the University and the grueling hockey practices, I could use an ice cream date.

But I’ve got shit to prove this year and I will not let college get me. I won’t let my grades drop. I have to study tonight because if I don’t, I won’t do it this weekend and I’d like to be ahead of the curve for as long as I can.

Brett realizes how serious I am and slumps his shoulders forward. The silliness slithers from his handsome face. I hate to disappoint him, but I have no choice.

“You’re not making this easy, sir.” I purse my lips, shooting him a blank look.

He snickers and smooths his hand down the back of my head as he pulls me in and kisses my forehead. “No, it’s all good, Charley. You go study. I remember my freshman year. That shit’s no joke. But at least let me sit here with you for the rest of the game?”

“Of course,” I breathe. Right now, there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be. Well, aside from in a private space away from Foxy, because she is making this shit awkward over there making gagging noises.

Brett doesn’t seem to notice, or if he does, he doesn’t care. Instead, he taps the underside of my chin to bring my mouth level with his. Butterflies explode in my belly and my heart skips a beat. I wasn’t expecting to kiss him today. I know it doesn’t mean we are together, just that he wants to kiss me, but kissing him sober is a fresh feeling.

I can’t tellyou who won the game because I wasn’t paying attention. Nope, I was lip-locked with Brett for ninety percent of it. About that, I cannot complain. The goodbye kiss was even better until I turned around and Foxy was standing with her arms crossed over her busty chest, her foot tapping, and a narrow-eyed expression on her face.

“Gross,” she chastises with a smirk.

“Screw off. Like I haven’t sat through many of your make-out sessions.” She leans forward and brings me into her arms. Then she squeezes me tightly and slaps me on the ass.

“At least my guys are hot.”

“What? Brett is hot as hell,” I scoff.

“I’m not denying that he’s hot—”

“He’s just not as hot as Riggs,” I finish for her, flattening my expression.

She fights against a smile tugging at her lips as she fishes for her keys in the black hole she calls a purse. There are things in there that scare the hell out of me.

I told her she had to ride to the game on her own because I was going to the library afterward.

She reluctantly agreed once I told her she was welcome to sit with me, but she couldn’t talk. She didn’t like my rule all that much and brought her own car for once.

She clicks the unlock button on her key fob and the lights to her Mercedes blink somewhere off in the distance, the glow of amber lights immediately drawing my attention. “Exactly.”

“Let it go, Fox. There is nothing between us and there never will be. Riggs Sutton is not on my radar.”

“Keep telling yourself.”

I’m getting slightly irritated that she refuses to let this go. I’m not sure if it is because Riggs is best friends with Jensen or not. Maybe she will be more comfortable getting with Jensen if I’m with Riggs. Weird, I know, but rich people shit always is.

Instead of entertaining this subject, I pivot, looping my thumbs through the straps on my backpack and making my way down the sidewalk toward the library.

“Love you, too,” Foxy calls to my back in a sarcastic tone. I flip her the bird and mosey toward my destination.

I’m fully cognizant of the scent of weed now, and I notice it almost immediately. My heart begins a slow, pattering rhythm. I sigh.

This is absolutely ridiculous,I tell myself.

The scent of Mary Jane should not cultivate reflections of Riggs, but I can’t deny that it does. I wonder if it’s him, though I doubt he is at the library this late in the evening.

My hussy ass needs to settle down. I did just leave a make-out session with Brett and I have no business rationalizing another guy right away, let alone Riggs.

How can I convince Foxy to leave it be when I can’t seem to shake him?

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