Page 4 of The Jack*ss in Class

“Should have thought about that before you borrowed him without asking.” But Tempest’s free hand dropped to smooth her sister’s hair, the gesture automatic and affectionate. “Also, you’re crushing my book.”

“I’ll help her,” Artemis offered, grinning. “I love animals. And watching Freddie suffer.”

“Aww, that’s our Artie,” Gryffin laughed. “Always looking out for the downtrodden, but cute AF soccer players of the world.”

“Someone has to.” Tempest’s voice held a note of steel under the casual tone. “Since her big sister clearly can’t keep her out of trouble.”

Ouch. Self-burn. Those were rare.

I tried one more time, not sure why I was still trying except that something about this girl fascinated me. “The boys and I are doing our gaming live stream on Saturday. You should come. Bring the donkey. Fairly sure those wings make him lucky, and trust me, you need all the luck you can get.”

“Video game night?” She actually looked up at that, one eyebrow raised. “With the boys?”

“Afraid you can’t handle a little competition?” I hadn’t mentioned that my brothers’ girlfriends Penelope and Willa joined us most weekends. Because I was gonna win this girl over with my best smile, the one that usually got me exactly what I wanted. “Or just afraid of losing?”

“Pass.” She turned another page. “But thanks.”

“She has plans,” Freddie stage whispered. “Very important plans that involve her fav—ow.”

Tempest had pinched her sister’s leg.

“Right.” I rocked back on my heels, weirdly disappointed. “Well, if you change your mind...”

“I won’t.” She finally glanced up again, and this time there was something almost kind in her expression. “But have fun with the boys.”

She went back to her book before I could respond. The donkey looked between us, gave a tiny snort, and snuggled closer to her chair.

Even the livestock was ghosting me. That was new.

“Come on, lover boy.” Gryff clapped me on the shoulder. “We gotta get those 40-yard dash times down before the combine. Artie, you coming to run sprints?”

“Can’t.” Artemis stood, stretching. “Got a date with a pretty bio-chem major. But save me a spot at game night tomorrow?”

“Sure. As long as you know you’re going down.”

I let my brother pull me away from the coffee shop, but I looked back once, twice, and maybe a third time. Tempest had shifted in her chair, making room for both Freddie and the donkey to lean against her legs while she read. She looked... content. Like the chaos of the last twenty minutes hadn’t touched her at all.

“Stop staring,” Gryff muttered. “She’s not interested.”

“I wasn’t?—”

“Sure.” He grinned at me. “Just like I’m not interested in watching Artemis tackle all those thick-thighed rugby girls.”

“Shut up.” I shoved him ahead of me. “Let’s go practice. Maybe the donkey will show up and give Xander some competition for his spot in the draft,” I said, even as we headed for the field, and I definitely forgot all about that tiny-winged donkey and a girl who wouldn’t look up from her book.

I had approximately fifteen weeks until graduation, and that gave me and my one girl for two-weeks plan a good seven more college women’s beds to get into. And there were plenty of DSU Dragonette’s who would squeal for a chance to let me give them beard burn between their thighs.

Plenty to whom I was more interesting than a damn book.

Although, I doubted any of them would have a donkey.

SECRET AGENT BONKEY

TEMPEST

"Mija, please tell me you’re taking more business classes than those literature classes your papá talked you into.”

I adjusted my laptop screen, buying time before answering my mother. The wi-fi at the remote clinic where she was stationed for the Doctors Without Borders mission was sketchy at best, but her disapproval came through in perfect HD.

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