Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I scoff. “None of you assholes would have scholarships or a fucking championship trophy.”
Liam scoffs. “Fuck off. We would have been alright.”
“Sure you would,” I agree, unable to keep the grin off my face as the boys shake their heads. They know I’m right, and up until now, I’ve been mostly humble about it, but who cares at this point? We all know it’s true. No point in pretending it’s a secret.
Liam rolls his eyes, and his gaze shifts toward something behind my shoulder before turning his gaze back to the girls in the water. “What do you say, man? Ditch the girlfriend and we’ll fuck those bitches out by the woods, just like old times. We can make it a party. Come one, come all.”
My face scrunches up in disgust. “The fuck is wrong with you? It almost happened once. Let it go. I’m not about to start fucking girls with you for team sports. You wanna get with them, then get to it. Take these assholes with you, but I’m out.”
Liam scoffs. “The fuck is wrong with you, bro? Zoey’s got you by the balls. Live a little. You’re going to college, and not only that, but you’ll be going in with a reputation. You’ll be at the top of the fucking food chain. Hoes will be throwing themselves at you, and not just the boring missionary types like Zoey, you’ll have the girls who are willing to do anything you want. These are supposed to be the years you let loose and enjoy yourself. This is when you’re supposed to fuck around and make stupid mistakes, but you went and got yourself attached.”
I shake my head. I’ve never bothered to explain to these guys the depth of our relationship. I don’t even think they realize that Zoey and I knew each other before I came to East View. But whether they know about us or not, Liam knows better than to talk about my girl. I’ve had to knock him out a few times over the past year, and unfortunately, this seems to be a lesson he refuses to learn. “Alright, I’m out of here,” I say, getting up.
I don’t bother to say goodbye as I walk away, and when Liam whines at my back, calling me a little bitch, I just keep moving. He doesn’t matter to me. After tonight, I’ll never have to see him again. I’ll never have to put up with him unless I just happen to face him on the field, but it’s unlikely. He won’t make it through the first season, and if he somehow does, he sure as hell won’t make it on the field. He’ll be a reserve if he’s lucky.
Letting out a heavy breath, I walk toward the group of girls Zoey was hanging out with and come up short, not seeing her familiar wave of chestnut hair. My brows furrow, and I scan the party, looking over the faces and checking the drinks table. I even turn back to the lake, making sure she didn’t feel the need to go for a midnight swim.
Not finding her, I pull my phone out and quickly pull up her name before hitting call, only it rings out and my heart starts to race. I try again, but this time, the ringing cuts off as though she rejected the call.
“What the fuck?” I mutter to myself, still searching the faces. Perhaps she snuck away to pee.
I write out a text, needing to know she’s alright.
Noah: You good? Can’t find you.
Zoey: Do me a favor and leave me alone. I’m going home.
What in the actual fuck?
I try calling her again, and she rejects it almost immediately, forcing me into a sprint toward my car, determined to find her. I swear, if she’s left this party and is walking home alone after midnight, I’m going to lose my shit.
Noah: What’s wrong? Where are you? I’ll come get you.
Zoey: What do you say, man? Ditch the girlfriend and we’ll fuck those bitches out by the woods, just like old times. We can make it a party. Come one, come all.
Fuck. I can almost hear Liam’s tone in her text, and it has me just about ready to turn around and put the fucker out, but if it weren’t for the idea that Zoey is out there somewhere, possibly alone on the side of the street, I probably would have. I saw the way he glanced over my shoulder before saying that. He must have seen her and decided he knew what was best for our relationship.
Noah: You know I don’t think like that. Liam is an asshole. That’s no secret. The only person I want is you.
Zoey: I know.
There’s a short pause before her next text comes through.
Zoey: I just need a little space. Clear my head.