Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
He grips my hips as he slides his tongue against mine, daring me to refuse him, making me lose my breath. Then he bites down on my bottom lip.
“I know you’re trying to make a point about us,” he whispers against my mouth, “so congratulations. You’ve made it.”
“What I’m doing right now has nothing to do with you.”
“Okay.” He kisses me again, this time even harder, making me regret not letting him in last night. “You also know what tomorrow is for me.”
I say nothing.
“And regardless of how mad you are at me, I know you would never pull this shit on that day. Or am I wrong?”
I say nothing, because he isn’t. Because even during our worst moments, he’s always been there if I needed him.
A red car suddenly pulls into the driveway, and the delivery guy steps out.
We watch him walk toward us with a pizza bag.
“Two extra large pepperoni pizzas, a medium order of breadsticks, and a large coke, right?” He steps in front of us.
“Yes.” I finally turn away from Easton. “With parmesan and crushed red pepper packets.”
“Got it. It’s forty two dollars and fifty two cents.”
I hold out the money, but Easton pushes my hand away.
“I’ve got it,” he says, paying for it. “You can keep the change.”
The delivery guy smiles and then tilts his head to the side. “Easton Rush?”
“Yes.”
“Aw man. My dad talks about you all the time.” He hands me the food. “And my little sister is obsessed with ya’lls TikTok account, Tully. Your name is Tully, right?”
“Yeah.” I feign a smile. “Thanks.”
“Good luck this season dude!” He walks away without another word, and Easton waits until he pulls away before pressing a kiss on my forehead.
“Don’t do this to me again.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.” He looks like he wants to say more, but Kevin suddenly calls my name.
“Scarlett, are you dying out there or something?” He calls. “Scarlett?”
“I gotta go,” I say. “I’ll um…”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Easton presses one final kiss on my lips before walking away.
6
EASTON
I park my car outside the school gym at five-thirty in the morning. I haven’t been able to sleep, and I know better than to try.
Stepping out, I grab my bag and head toward the side door.
Since joining the football team, I’ve become friends with the chief janitor, and he always texts to see if he needs to leave an entrance open for me.
I twist the knob until it gives way, but a loud voice drifts down the hall before I can disappear into the locker room.
“Is that you, Reed Hinson?” It’s my coach.
“No, Coach.”
“Then who the hell is it?” He shouts louder. “This complex is off limits until seven o’clock unless you’re on my staff or a team captain!”
I roll my eyes and head to his doorway.
“It’s me, Coach.”
“Oh.” He puts on his glasses. “Fate must be on my side today. Have a seat so we can talk.”
I hold back a sigh. “Can this wait until later, Coach?”
“No.” He points to a chair. “Have a seat.”
I set down my bag and oblige.
He stares at me for several moments, rocking back and forth in his squeaky chair.
I clear my throat, hoping he’ll hurry up and say something, but all he does is rock.
“If you’re not about to say anything, can I—”
“Are you using the best brand of condoms?” he interrupts.
“What?”
“You heard me,” he says. “Are you covering your cock properly while you’re screwing these girls or what?”
I should’ve just stayed in my car…
“You do know what condoms are, don’t you son?” He narrows his eyes. “I gave you my sex talk when you were a freshman, didn’t I?”
“Unfortunately. With all due respect though, Coach, where the hell is this coming from?”
“I was like you back in my day.” He clasps his hands. “I mean, I wasn’t the top ranked high school quarterback in the nation or anything, but I was popular enough to make the sports news. Very popular. Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It does…”
“You know what doesn’t feel good?” He stops rocking and leans forward. “A surprise baby by some gold digger who knows, just knows, you’re destined to do big things in college and will be huge in the NFL. I don’t want that to happen to you, so I want you to make sure you’re wrapping it up.”
“Thanks, Coach. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Not only do I want you to wrap it up,” he says, “But I want you to make sure you carry something around whenever you’re done and put it to use.”
He opens his drawer and pulls out a small stack of red packets. “These will fit in your wallet behind the condoms.”
“What are those?”
“Hot sauce packets,” he says. “Whenever you take off a condom, squeeze some of this into it so the girl can’t go behind your back and put your semen to use.”