Paige:Look at you, doing all the hockey! So proud of you! Text me after you have dinner with your dad. <3
Just then, another text comes through.
Dad:Solid game until the end there. Lucky break in overtime. I’ve got an early morning, so I’m heading back now. We’ll catch up next week.
That’s it? That’s my dismissal? There’s no doubt he’s pissed, and if I let myself think about it, I could easily work up some anxiety. But instead, I turn to Herrera. “You know what? The Biscuit sounds good. Lemme text Paige.”
“Look at you, ditching Papa Briggs to have dinner with us. Next thing you know, we’ll have you ordering a cheeseburger and fries.”
I laugh. “Don’t push your luck.”
18
Paige
Dr. Winslow ends the lecture by reminding us that our How-to speeches are due in two weeks. We need to film ourselves teaching our speech partners a skill. I’m sure Spencer is going to teach me how to hockey something, but I haven’t quite decided on what to teach him.
I’m stashing my laptop in my bag and lacing my fingers with Spence as we leave the building. It’s getting colder, so I lean in for a kiss before we get to the doors.
“You want your goodbye kiss already? Or is this a bonus kiss? I’m totally fine with that, I just don’t know all the rules.” He smiles at me.
“It’s a-kiss-me-now-because-as-soon-as-we-get-outside-I’m-sprinting-to-the-library-before-I freeze-my-ass-off kiss.”
“I’m glad to know you have this all categorized. Also, you’re ridiculous. It’s not that cold. Halloween’s next week, Paige. It’s 45 degrees out there—downright balmy. And you’re from Albany. That’s not exactly tropical.”
“It’s too freaking cold, both here and in New York,” I grumble.
“Well, you’re in luck. My Anthro class was cancelled, so I can keep you warm on the long walk to the library. I’ll even be your study buddy.”
“Yeah? You don’t have to—”
“Are you kidding? You’re the reason I haven’t passed out in Speech class. I owe you. Besides, you’re my girlfriend and the most important exam of your college career is less than a week away. Let me quiz you.”
There’s that smile I can’t resist. “It’s a deal. Just know I’m working on a reward system in my head right now. It’s a rough sketch, but I’m thinking for every answer I get right, you pay me in sexual favors.”
“On second thought, let’s study in your room…”
“Get your ass moving, Emma. I need a latte and I am not above leaving without you,” I call lovingly to my roommate, who responds, “Hold your horses, you gorgeous bitch!”
It’s a Friday, which means only Bio and Lit for me, and I’m done by noon. It should be an easy day, followed by a relaxing afternoon of hair and makeup shenanigans. And then it’s off to watch my boyfriend kill it on the ice.
That’s how the past few weeks have been.
But today won’t be like that at all. Nope. Today is the day before the dreaded LSATs, so after class, I’ll be studying with Justin. And later, I’m meeting with a group of friends from my logic class. Turns out, I’m not the only one who was scoring under par on my practice tests.
I just need to get through the next twenty-four hours. I’ve decided I’m going to give it my best shot—I feel like I owe that to my parents. And if I don’t make the cut, well, I’ll deal with that when I get my results.
And if I do make the cut, then off to law school I go...Ugh.
So, that’s why I need coffee today. I’m treating myself now because the next twenty-four hours are going to be complete garbage.
“Holy Mother of Lateness, Em—” I begin to holler as she appears in my doorway, fresh-faced and ready for the day. Because of course she is.
“C’mon, Paige, or we’ll be late,” she says as she grabs my arm and practically drags me out into the hall. Oh. My. God. I don’t know whether to laugh or wipe that stupid smirk off her face.
“Lattes on me today,” she says. “I’d get you one tomorrow before your test, but we both know I’ll be exhausted as fuck, likely hungover, and probably draped across a biohazard of a frat couch with a man’s face resting on my stubble-burned thighs tomorrow morning.”
This girl. Maybe I should bring her home for a weekend. Then my parents would appreciate me.
