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)
“Holy shit, Noah,” I flush. “I’m hanging up.”
“Bye, Zo,” he says in that deep, sultry tone. Then before I melt into a puddle right here in my car, I press the little red button to end the call, preparing to get out and make my way through the gates of hell.
The bell sounds for lunch, and I quickly hurry out of Ms. Lennon’s classroom. While part of me loves that I have her again for my senior year, I hate that I now share this class with Shannan. She’s been in three of my classes so far today, which isn’t exactly how I wanted to start the day, but for the most part, all she’s done is sneer at me. Though I’m not foolish enough to think that’s all that’s coming my way.
I suppose I could always punch her right in the face—with my thumb on the outside of course—and call it an accident. I’ve got most of the faculty in my back pocket, especially Principal Daniels. He’s got a soft spot for me after Mom told him all about my past. He’s always looked out for me and made sure I was doing alright, even going out of his way to put Noah in his place this time last year.
Making my way down the busy corridor, I find my locker and start rifling through it, and by the time I close the door, my anxiety has started to build. I’ve been dreading this all day.
Checking my phone, I find a text from Noah with a picture attached, and I open it up to find an image of the incredible view of the Wildcats arena from right at the very top of the massive grandstand. A wide grin stretches across my face, knowing just how much he’d love that. This has always been his dream. At least, a very important stepping stone to the ultimate dream of playing for the NFL, which will be a whole new experience in itself, but I have no doubt that he’ll make it. He’s too good not too.
But the pictures I’ve been getting from him this week only go to prove that he’s in his zone right now. He’s exactly where he needs to be, and I need to do what I can to reel in my emotions because I don’t want to ruin this for him. I don’t want him to feel guilty every time he steps onto the training field. I want him to soak up every moment of college life and absolutely love it because he deserves no less. He put the work in to get where he wants to go, and I want to see him succeed with every part of my soul.
Leaning against my locker, I quickly shoot off a reply.
Zoey: That’s incredible! But I’m still waiting for my locker room pic. Preferably when everyone has just had their showers and they’re all dripping wet with towels low on their hips. Actually, scrap that, just take the pic with all of you sandwiched in those showers together. You know, I really wanna feel like I’m experiencing it right there by your side.
Resident Asshole: Don’t make me come down there, Zoey James. I’m not above bending you over my knee and spanking that bad behavior out of you.
I gape at my phone. He’s always been the biggest flirt with me, but he’s been on fire today, pushing the boundaries, and I absolutely love it.
Zoey: Noah McWashYourFilthyMouthOut Ryan, stop making me blush at school. You’re supposed to be a gentleman.
Resident Asshole: Let’s be honest, being a gentleman is boring. You prefer it when I’m throwing you up against a wall and fucking you until you scream.
Hooooooly shit.
Zoey: **skull emoji**
Zoey: I need a cold shower. Maybe two.
Resident Asshole: Yeah…me too.
I laugh and tuck my phone into my pocket before heading down the hallway with my head held a little higher, and it has everything to do with the suspicious timing of Noah’s texts. He’s been doing it all day, as if knowing exactly when I would need him to give me the strength to keep going. Even miles away, he’s still helping me get through the day.
No one ever claimed that Noah Ryan didn’t know the exact path to my heart.
Making my way into the cafeteria, I blow out a heavy breath, quickly scanning the room. The game plan—find Abby and Cora and hope for the best. Only I pause by the door when I find them sitting side by side at our old table with Tarni standing before them, easing her way right back in as though she didn’t spend the last year ostracized from the world.
Tarni says something else, and the next thing I know, the girls welcome her back in with open arms. She sits down on the opposite side of the table, and I feel myself starting to slip.