Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 107077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
For a few silent minutes, I watch her sleep before tiptoeing from her room and heading to my own. There’s barely enough space for a twin mattress and dresser. A couple years ago, I painted the walls lavender, hoping it would spruce up the area and make it more cheerful.
Once inside, I close the door and lean against the hollow wood. My backpack slips from my shoulder before landing on the floor near my feet with a soft thud. Now that I’m finally home, exhaustion crashes over me like a tidal wave. I can’t remember the last time it wasn’t there, threatening to suck me under. It would be all too easy to give up, drop out of college, and find a full-time job so I can stop busting my ass from sunup to sundown every single day.
But I refuse to do that.
Especially when the end goal is so close that I can practically taste it.
I just have to hang in there for a little bit longer.
4
ASHER
I push open the lecture hall doors and pause over the threshold. If the people filing in behind me are irritated that I’ve created a traffic jam and they have to wait, they keep their traps shut. As my gaze coasts over the sea of students, Mallory swivels in her seat before waving. It’s like she’s got a tracking device attached to me and knows the exact moment I step foot in the room. The two girls parked next to her mimic her exuberant movements. All three wear big, toothy grins as their hands flutter through the air.
With a nod of acknowledgment, I move down the thinly carpeted steps to the row they’re parked in. Audrey slides over, quickly making room for me in the middle of the trio. I drop my backpack before settling on the chair for the next fifty minutes. These girls are the only thing that makes this lecture bearable.
“You’re late,” Mallory whispers. “I wasn’t sure if you were even going to make it.”
Dr. Nichols has a strict policy regarding tardiness. Her philosophy is that if you can’t get your ass here on time, don’t bother showing up at all. And hey—I’d be more than happy to oblige; except I’d fail the course and I need it to graduate.
Just as I’m about to respond, the dragon herself stomps to the podium and clears her throat. It’s almost a surprise when fire doesn’t shoot out of her mouth, burning us all alive. Her narrowed gaze settles on me for a long moment before sliding over the rest of the students. She stands ramrod straight before launching into a long-winded lecture about the theoretical approaches to the study of relational communications.
Three.
Two.
One.
My eyelids droop, and it becomes a fight to stay awake. As she continues to drone, I settle in my seat and carefully slip my phone from my pocket before scrolling through ESPN to check stats.
We have two more regular season games before playoffs and then, hopefully, we’ll make it to the conference championship in California. This is my last year playing college ball and I want to go out with a bang. Adding one more championship ring to my collection would definitely do that. Then there’ll be the NFL Combine at the beginning of March and the draft in April. I’m so damn close to making all my dreams come true. I just have to stay focused and keep my eyes on the prize.
With a loud yawn, I realize Dr. Nichols is on the verge of wrapping up class. And not a moment too soon. This lecture is boring as hell and our professor doesn’t help matters. By the looks of her, she’s older than dirt. Her voice has one level and that’s monotone. It’s like she’s actually trying to lull her students to sleep.
All I have to say is thank fuck for Mallory, Aimee, and Audrey.
“I just emailed your notes and highlighted the important parts you should spend extra time reviewing,” Mallory says, cutting into my thoughts.
I flash her a grin. How amazing is this girl? “Thanks, you’re a real doll.”
She flutters her lashes before leaning closer and stroking one hand along my bicep. “You’re welcome. Want to get together later and study for the upcoming test?”
I smirk, knowing that’s not what she has in mind. “If you’ll remember the last time you came over to help, we didn’t crack open the book once.”
Obviously, I bombed that exam.
But still, we had a damn good time.
A blush hits her cheeks as her eyes light up. “We’ll just have to study first and then, if you do well—”
“I can help, too,” Audrey interrupts eagerly.
Grinning, I throw an arm around her shoulders before tugging her curvy little body close. “Of course you can help, sweetheart. We all know I need every bit of assistance I can get.” They giggle and press closer. “You ladies ready to get the hell out of here?”