Page 7 of Colossal
Along with everyone else’s.
Marlow simply smiles and keeps moving to an empty table, as if she didn’t just single me out in front of the entire school. As if she didn’t just make it obvious to everyone that there’s something between us. Right? Did I imagine what she did?
Garrett is suddenly sitting beside me, but I can’t acknowledge him, because I’d have to take my eyes off Marlow, who sits down primly on the bench at one of the picnic style tables and crosses her incredible legs, the tops of her stockings just visible enough to get my balls throbbing. Right there in the cafeteria.
“Colossal,” Garrett starts, elbowing me in the side, though I barely feel it. “I’ve got a plan. Want to hear it?”
“No.”
“I’m going to tell you anyway.” He leans forward on his elbows. “You told Marlow if she doesn’t pick someone else by the end of the day, it’s on, right? Why not put her to the test and see if she rejects me, the ultimate catch? That way you’ll never have to wonder if she has a wandering eye.”
As Garrett is speaking, two girls have joined Marlow at her lunch table. They look alike, but nothing like Marlow. They’re redheads, for one. Second, there is none of her magic attached to them or written on their slightly pinched features, which really shouldn’t be surprising, because I’ve never met anyone in this world with her kind of magic. But my curiosity is piqued when they seem to separate themselves from Marlow, even though they’re carrying on a conversation with her. There’s tension between them.
Are those her stepsisters?
“Colossal, are you listening?”
“Yes,” I lie. I mean, I’mmostlylying. I heard the gist—and I hate it, but maybe Garrett is right? Maybe in some crazy twist, I’ll get a chance with Marlow. Won’t I always be worried she would have chosen a guy like Garrett, if given the opportunity? Maybe the viable candidates in her other classes haven’t gotten a chance to speak with her yet? “You want to go ask her out?” I say, sounding like there’s a layer of sand in my throat.
“Foryoursake, buddy.”
“Right.” He’s waiting for my permission, and I don’t want to give it to him. In fact, I feel like I’m being sawed in half. “I don’t really have the right to stop you, do I?”
“Exactly.” Garrett slaps me on the back and stands up, cracking his knuckles. “Watch and learn, my friend.”
I feel physically sick watching Garrett swagger toward Marlow’s table. When he stops at the edge of it and smiles at her, I gulp down a spiked ball of jealousy. They look good together. Of course they do. The hotshot forward with clothes that fit him properly and the sexy brunette fairy with a bow in her hair. He says something to Marlow, but to my surprise, she ignores him. As in, doesn’t respond or even make eye contact. Instead, her brow is furrowed and she’s highly concentrated on opening the entire top of her chocolate milk carton, so she can dunk her cookies.
My heart is hammering so hard, I try to slow it down with a grinding fist to the center of my chest. Oh my God, she’s so cute, she’s going to give me a heart attack, isn’t she?
Garrett, however, not to be deterred, especially with the whole team watching, takes a seat next to Marlow, ducking a little to catch her eye.
Without looking at the captain, she points to the redheads and mouths something.
Then she gathers all of her things and walks out of the cafeteria.
But not before she stops briefly at the end of my table, popping part of a cookie into her mouth. “Nice try, Eric.” She dusts the crumbs off her fingers. “But I know what I want.”
She winks at me and keeps walking, sending my team into a full meltdown.
They’re diving across the table to shake my shoulders, yelling in my face.
Happy for me.
Of course they are, I have apparently done the impossible.
I’ve landed a girl so far out of my league, we’re not even in the same stratosphere.
I’ve never experienced this…this combination of dumbfounded and hopeful and…excited. My God, I’m excited, also known as I’ve got a semi that is quickly turning into a full erection. Again. Second time today. Jesus, who could blame me when she flounces out of the cafeteria in that little skirt, knowing her stockings end only a couple inches below her tight ass? When she has the bravery to claim me in front of my whole team, not even remotely intimidated by these goons?
I get up and follow her, even though I can barely feel my legs or the backpack slung over my shoulder. I follow her out of the cafeteria, into the empty hallway, down to the end where it curves to the right…and I find Marlow waiting for me.
“How do you feel about not waiting for the final bell?” she asks.
I drop my backpack and reach for her.
Chapter 4
Marlow
