Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
***
I sip at my soda and shoot a text back to Zah. She won her meet and broke two records. I’m so proud of her. They have one more day of meets to go before they head back home.
I almost text her that I love her, but I want to tell her in person for the first time. I can’t keep the smile from my face when she sends back a bunch of heart eye emojis. I return the same emojis and tell her I miss her.
“You’re the only guy here texting. Not having fun?”
I look up to find Carly’s friend, Pacey. My first reaction is to look around quickly for Carly so I can leave to get away from her before she sees me. Just my luck, her father pulled some strings to have my restraining order blocked after I didn’t press charges.
Fucking asshole. I never should have agreed to his terms in the first place. For the most part, Carly has been staying away from me.
“Don’t worry, she’s not here. No one really wants her at these things after what she did to your car. I hate that for you, by the way. That was so messed up,” Pacey says as she bats her lashes.
“Yeah, well, the last thing I want to do is talk about her or what happened,” I say and go to walk away.
Pacey places a hand on my arm to stop me. I turn to tell her I’ll see her around, but I’m bumped from behind and she wraps her arms around my neck. I’m shocked at first, but jerk my head back as she’s too close and reach to pry her arms from my neck.
“Come on, Bentley. Dance with me,” she purrs.
“I have a girlfriend.”
“And?” she pouts.
“And I’m not going to disrespect her. Back off. I’m not interested.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re really going to pretend to have a girlfriend instead of hooking up with me?”
“Whatever,” I say and walk off.
As I go to find Corey and Jason, I see Carly watching me with a grin. I get a sour taste in my mouth and decide to leave without finding my friends.
Zahirah
I sit in my hotel room with a smile on my face. I’ve been texting with Bentley because I miss him. I can’t wait for our date on Sunday.
He’s been so patient with our conflicting schedules. I can see in his face he wants to have sex again, but we never have the time. The most we’ve been able to do is kiss during and after our morning runs.
His frat house and my dorm are too far from our classes and we would never make it on time if we detoured for sex. Skipping our run wouldn’t sit well with either of us. I appreciate how he’s been handling all of this.
I decided to stay in and work on a paper I have due next week. There is no way I’m going to let my grades slip.
I’m going to kick Bentley’s butt in this challenge. We’re neck and neck for now. All I need is an A-plus or two to pull ahead.
“Hey, Nickels. Did you see this?” One of my teammates pops her head into my door to ask.
We’ve kept our doors open to each other, so I’m not startled when she pops in. I look up from my book and give her a questioning look. I haven’t been on social media. I don’t like the distraction.
I have only looked at my phone to text Bentley and Erica. India comes all the way into the room and hands me her phone. I sigh and take it.
My heart drops when I look at the screen. It’s a picture of Bentley hugging some girl. I force a smile and hand the phone back.
“We’re not official. It’s no big deal,” I say, trying not to burst into tears.
The worst part is, I still have two races tomorrow. It’s not the time for this. I can’t call Bentley to ask him what’s going on.
“You sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m going to finish this paper and call it a night. Can you push in the doorstop on your way out?”
“No problem. My door will be open if you want to talk.”
Sure, I bet it will be. If I don’t perform well tomorrow, she’s next in line to take my place. She didn’t bring that pic in here to be a friend.
She leaves and I sit staring into space. I want Bentley to explain it away, but if I call him and he can’t, I’m not going to be focused. I’m on scholarship. I can’t let Bentley get in the way of my schoolwork or my performance on the track.
However, the more I sit here, the more I think about that picture. I pick up my phone and log in to my account. I find the account of the girl who posted the picture. The picture is still there.