Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“I’m still trying to figure it out, Ace. Just like you.”
Monday, June 9th
Lexi
Ginger packs up her notebook and headphones and fifty-five snack wrappers, while I put away everything I’ve brought to the lab with me today. It’s going on eight o’clock, and I’m ready to go home and enjoy some solitude.
At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself after a week of not seeing Blake. The last time I saw him was the Sunday night that ended with his face between my legs. And the last time I spoke to him was via text on Thursday while I was in my meeting with Dr. Blevin’s PhD cohort.
I didn’t try to reach out to him all weekend. But that’s probably a good thing.
Though, you certainly wanted to respond to all five texts he sent you…
I internally shake my head at myself. Blake’s effect on me is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced with anyone else. When he’s near me, I don’t think straight. I get caught up in pheromones and hormones and straight moans, and I lose my mind. I let myself get distracted from school and from myself and from the complicated part of being several years older than him and the fact that he’s the star freaking quarterback of Dickson University’s football team.
I forget who I am and what I want and how unconcerned I am with having a relationship or companionship or for someone else’s feelings altogether.
But given a little distance and time, I’m finding my rhythm again, settling into keeping to myself and my computer and working on graduating from Dickson with my final doctorate and moving on with my life.
It’s business as usual.
And I’m happy about it. Really. I am.
I think.
“Man, Lexi.” Ginger lets out a deep sigh. “I can’t believe we only have a month and a half left of school before we have to go out in the real world and do real-world things. Can you?”
I shake my head. These days, I can’t believe a lot of things.
“I have three weeks’ worth of work left to cram in a two-week bag, but I’m not panicking. See?” she asks, widening her eyes in what she thinks is a calm expression. “This is me…not panicking.”
“Oh yeah.” I laugh. “You look calm.”
“Yes. I’m calm. Calm, calm, calm.”
“Ginger, it’s going to be okay.”
“Are you sure, Lexi? Because it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”
Ironically enough, I know what she means—though, for me, it has absolutely nothing to do with school.
I know I’ve been avoiding Blake, but it also feels like he’s been avoiding me. And, as it turns out, I don’t like that very much at all.
“I am sure, Ginger.” I try my hand at comforting her. “I think, from what I can tell, all of this won’t feel so important anymore when we get out in the real world. Out there, there are real problems and real solutions, and none of this performance art the university puts us through.”
“I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse,” she muses with a snort.
“I know.” I shrug. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey, you want to go get something to eat?”
I shake my head. “I think I’m just going to go home.” After a quick realization that this is an opportunity to grow a friendship with someone I don’t hate being around, I add, “But thank you for inviting me. I’d love to go another time.”
Ginger beams. “Awesome. Maybe later this week?”
“Sounds great,” I agree.
Ginger hoists her stuffed bag up onto her shoulder and heads for the door, waving as she does. I wave back and look down, only to startle when she clears her throat.
“Hey, Lex?”
“Yeah?” I ask, glancing her way and then down at my bag again as I tuck my water bottle into its pocket on the side.
“DoorDash is here.”
My gaze jerks to the door just as Blake scoots inside, a bag of food, again, hanging from his strong, capable fingers. Ginger smiles shyly and waves again. “Lunch soon, Lex.”
I know now it’s more than a promise for a meal—it’s a sworn testament that I’ll need to be spilling some beans as well.
I’ve never had a girlfriend expecting gossip before. Really, the closest friend I’ve had since childhood is Connor. And he’s way too self-involved to be worried about the details of my secret love life. Not without me very plainly pointing them out anyway. Plus, it’s never ever felt right talking to Connor about stuff like that.
As Ginger leaves, Blake steps inside, pulling the door to the lab shut behind him with a click and standing just inside. “Hey, Lex.”
“Hi, Blake.”
“Hope it’s not a bad time.”
I shake my head. “I was just packing to leave.”
“How about I walk home with you? We can eat there.”
“Yeah. That works.”
I grab my tote and hike it up onto my shoulder, scooting my chair in under my desk and heading for the door. Blake stands next to it, waiting patiently, but when I reach for the handle, he blocks it with his hand. “Just…one thing first.”