Page 9 of The Jack*ss in Class

"Dude.” Gryff rewound the video for approximately the hundredth time. “Look at your face when the donkey does that spin move. You got absolutely schooled. Better hope the scouts don’t see that.”

I threw a protein bar at his head. “Pretty sure you’re the one who ended up on your ass with Artemis.”

“Worth it.” My twin sprawled deeper into our ancient living room couch, his feet propped on a stack of League combine prep guides. “Besides, that clip only has, like, ten million views. The one where Artie and I collide? Fifteen mil and counting. Every scout’s probably showing how badass I am at taking a hit to their teams now.”

“You’re both idiots.” Isak looked up from where he was editing the footage for his InstaSnap. “The best part is clearly when the donkey’s wings start flapping right before he hits top speed. I’ve already got three workout supplement companies and an energy drink wanting sponsorship deals to use it.”

The rest of us would make our millions with our pro football contracts, but for all I knew, Isak probably already had enough money to retire with the way he lined up sponsorships.

My phone buzzed and I turned the screen for Gryff and Isak to see. “It’s Pen. She says we’re catching a ride on Kelsey’s jet for the big Bowl. Jules is with us too. Dad is flying out with the boys on the Kingman jet.”

Crazy that we didn’t all fit on the jet anymore. Our family had grown last year. Well, not officially yet as Dec and Chris were waiting for the off-season to get married. We better be getting a tropical vacay out of wedding season.

“Four Kingman brothers in one very big Bowl.” Isak shook his head. “Plus the biggest popstar in the world. The media’s going to lose their minds. And I am here for it.”

My phone buzzed again. This time it was a video from Hayes recreating the donkey’s spin move during Bowl practice, much to the offense of the Mustangs’ amusement.

“See?” I held up the phone. “The donkey’s got skills.”

“If Hayes uses this as an end zone dance, it’ll definitely go viral. Baby DK is gonna make me and your girlfriend rich.”

I smacked Isak on the back of the head. “I don’t do girlfriends.”

Isak smirked at me. “Did you guys sign up for tutoring yet? Coach is asking.”

“It’s the second day of the semester,” I protested. “Ihaven’t even been to my Tuesday-Thursday classes yet. We don’t even know if we need tutoring.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Gryff pulled up the athletic department email on his phone. “Says here all team captains have to participate. ‘Setting a leadership example’ and all that.”

“Fine.” I grabbed my laptop. “But I’ve only got three classes. Doesn’t give me a whole lot of choices.”

“We’ve got Shakespeare.” Gryff scrolled through his schedule. “We could request the same tutor, make it easier to study around combine prep.”

“I heard we’ve got a visiting professor from Cambridge. It can’t be that bad.” Besides, I liked a good story. I wasn’t some dumb jock. I read a lot. Mostly sci-fi and fantasy. “Guy wrote plays about love and sword fights. I got this.”

Gryff rewound the donkey video yet again. “What’s up with that girl? The one who just held out her hand and the donkey went right to her? She’s like a freaking wizard or something.”

“Who, Tempest?” The name slipped out before I could stop it.

Both my brothers’ heads snapped up.

“First name basis already?” Isak’s grin was pure evil. “Interesting.”

“It’s not—” I started to protest, but Isak was already pulling up her InstaSnap.

“Tempest Navarro,” he read. “English major. Member of Kappa Alpha Tau. Oh, and look at that, she volunteers at the same animal sanctuary Trixie does.”

“Bet that’s where she got the donkey,” Gryff added helpfully.

“Drop it.” I grabbed my combine prep guide, needing something to do with my hands. “I’ve got a no girlfriends rule. No more than two weeks with a girl ever, and I’m not wasting time trying to get into the pants of anyone who isn’t interested. Enthusiastic consent or I don’t want it.”

“Sure.” Gryff didn’t look convinced. “That’s why you’ve watched this clip forty times staring at her and not the donkey.”

“I have not?—”

My phone buzzed again. This time it was Jules.

Julinator: Saw the donkey vid. Very smooth. Try looking at the book she’s reading instead of just staring at her boobs, jackass. Might give you something to talk about...

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