Page 57 of Shut Up and Score
Me: First? Distract me.
Then maybe… keep me company.
The typing dots flash. Then vanish. Then return.
SmokeScreen77: Oh, I’m very good company.
People beg me to stay.
Me: Bet they don’t know how to keep you.
Micah laughs again across the lawn, tipping his head back. It’s like sunlight and something even warmer. I don’t know if I want to punch him or kiss him.
Maybe both.
FOURTEEN
MICAH
WatchingJasmine light Colton Taylor up in public is the most fun I’ve had all week.
I sip my water and lean back on the low wall, letting the sun hit my face while she tears into him as if he’s the reason daylight savings exists. Honestly, she’s doing the Lord’s work. The guy’s overdue for a public reckoning.
Will’s trying not to laugh beside me. Luke, of course, isn’t even pretending.
“Think she caught him with someone else?” Luke murmurs, nudging my leg with his knee.
“Caught himthinkingabout someone else, more like,” I say, tearing open a protein bar. “Colton Taylor would never risk getting caught with his dick out. That’s too human.”
Will snorts into his smoothie.
Luke grins, dropping his voice lower. “Yeah, but you’d know. Right?”
I go still.
The air around us doesn’t shift, butIdo. The laugh gets caught in my throat, and I mask it with a bite of protein bar. Everyone knows something happened between me and Colton. But they don’tknowwhat happened. Unless they were there.
I shrug. Then fish out my phone. A new message from GoldenSpiral is on my phone, and I grin as I swipe into it.
GoldenSpiral23: I like fire. But I’ve got too much to burn.
I type out a quick reply. Distracted by this guy I don’t really know.
Me: I thought you like fire.
Across the quad, Jasmine’s voice spikes. “Colton!”
I glance up just in time to see her throw her hands in the air as though she’s about to body slam him. They’re fully going at it now, voices carrying. Colton’s shoulders are drawn tight, but he’s not yelling back. Just taking it.
Will whistles low. “Damn. Wonder what he did this time.”
“Probably caught him sexting someone hotter,” Luke offers, smirking.
“Or someone with better eyebrows,” Will adds, nudging Luke.
“Someone with a personality,” I mutter, not quite under my breath.
Luke laughs. “Damn, Micah. Tell us how youreallyfeel.”
