I write back quickly.
Damn right. Best unpaid job I’ve ever had.
She presses her lips together, trying not to smile, but I see it.
I love that look on her. I love it more when I’m thereason for it.
When class lets out, I sling my backpack over my shoulder, walking behind her as we head towards the hallway. Gotta say, I do not mind this view at all. Those leggings make her ass look out of this world.
“You headed to watch film now?” she asks, finally turning to look back at me. She instantly notices where my eyes are and hits me with a glare. “Eyes up here, Montgomery.”
I can’t help myself, bringing my fist to my mouth and biting on it a bit. “You can’t blame a guy for looking. My gentleman’s card only stretches so far, baby.”
She rolls her eyes but keeps moving, her grin slipping. I catch up, throwing my arm around her shoulders while leading her through the crowd of students.
When we finally reach her building, I stop outside the door, turning to face her.
I don’t want to let her go.
So I don’t, not quite yet.
Instead, I step in close—close enough that her breath hitches, that she tilts her chin just slightly to look up at me.
Then, I press my lips right to her forehead, lingering there for a couple beats. She exhales softly, her fingers tightening around mine before I finally step back.
“See you later, beautiful,” I murmur.
She blinks up at me, her cheeks pink, before shaking her head with a small smile. “Bye, Jax.”
I grin, shoving my hands into my pockets as I head toward the athletic building, already looking forward to whatever excuse I can come up with to see her later.
26
JAXON
The locker room isalwaysloud after practice—guys talking over each other, music playing from someone’s speaker, cleats smacking against the tile floor as everyone unwinds.
I’m at my locker, toweling off after my shower, half-listening to the conversation happening a few feet away.
"Man, this weekend was one for the books," Trevor says, laughing as he pulls his shirt over his head. "Two different girls, one night. Then, their roommate wanted to come join the party too.”
Logan lets out a low whistle. "Damn, dude. Save some for the rest of us."
Trevor smirks. "Hey, what can I say? The ladies love a guy who can put up yards on Saturday and put in work afterward."
Laughter ripples through the locker room, and I shake my head, shutting my locker a little harder than necessary.
"You guys ever think about how messed up this is?" I say, turning toward them. "The way you talk about girls like they’re just…scores or whatever?"
A few guys glance over, but Trevor just smirks. "Relax, Montgomery. Just locker room talk."
I cross my arms. "Yeah, well, maybe locker room talk should involve a little more respect."
Logan snorts. "Spoken like a true virgin."
The words hit the room like a grenade. Everything stops.
My jaw locks, but I force a smirk. "Yeah, okay." I grab my shirt, shoving my arms through the sleeves, playing it off.
