Page 41 of Chess Not Checkers
My mouth drops. “Were you listening in?”
“You weren’t exactly whispering,” she says.
I turn back to the pan and take my time flipping the sandwich.
“We weren’t flirting. We tease each other, asfriends. Just like you and me.”
“That sounds as believable as Jameson’s reason,” Marigold says dryly.
My brow furrows. “What are you talking about?”
She sighs, cradling her chin in her hands. “I came home early because Jameson showed up in my favorite corner of the library. He said it was where he liked to study, but I think he was following me. Probably trying to spy on me to see if there’s anything negative he can report back to Charlie.” She notes my confused expression. “Charlie is the editor-in-chief of the paper.”
I nod. “Oh, okay. You’re sure he wasn’t just there to study?” I make my suggestion gently.
Marigold scrunches her nose. “No way. I’m there all the time. He can’t have the same favorite spot.”
It sounds to me like it’s his favorite place because she’s there, but I don’t say that.
“I’m guessing you told him as much?”
She smiles. “Why, yes, I did.”
“How did that go?”
“I got to use a few creative insults, but he wouldn’t budge. Said I didn’t own the library.” She rolls her eyes. “So I left.”
I take the sandwich off the heat before it can get too brown. After I plate it, I slide the food over to Marigold, then grab a bottle of coconut water out of the fridge. She scrunches her nose again.
“You need electrolytes.”
“That stuff tastes weird,” she whines.
“If you can tell me you had something other than caffeine to drink today, I’ll put it back.”
She scowls but pulls the water bottle closer.
“That’s what I thought.”
“This whole having friends thing is for the birds.” She takes a bite of the sandwich and hums. “I take it all back. I’ll drink ten coconut waters if it means I get to eat this again.”
I laugh. “I’ll have to bargain better next time.”
We make small talk for the rest of the time that she eats and I clean. I don’t want Saylor to do it when she gets back. She does too much already. Once we’re both done, we murmur our good nights and trudge to our separate rooms to crash. At least, that’s my plan. Marigold might be at her desk already.
I get ready for bed slowly, stumbling through my routine on account of being exhausted. With every step I complete, I flash back to a moment with Shepherd. By the time I climb into bed and close my eyes, I can’t stop picturing a mischievous smile and sparkling blue eyes.
Chapter twenty-two
Too Far
Shepherd Kingsley
The ball snaps into my hands. I grip it tight and float back, scanning for an opening. I only have a few seconds before the other team’s defensive linemen are on me. My guys are protecting me, but there’s only so much time they can give me. I spot Zion in the far right corner. It would be a deep throw, but he’s wide open and could score if he catches it. I rear back and launch the ball. It spirals through the air. I hold my breath, watch, and wait. The entire stadium roars when Zion snatches it out of the sky. He jukes the guy attempting to cover him, then runs it straight into the end zone.
“Yes!” I shout, throwing my hands up before jogging off the field. I meet Zion on the sidelines and we bump chests. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
We head to the bench in a sea of helmet slaps and back claps. The special teams squad goes out next to score the extra point. Owen kicks it straight down the middle. He’s been unstoppable his whole career. He’s never missed an extra point.
