AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 27
Astrid
“What do you mean I can’t practice with the team?”
Coach Herring shakes his head like a soaked dog shaking off rain. “Sorry, Astrid, but orders from Foxworth. I let you run, and I might as well head home and not come back. And my wife isn’t going to allow me to hang around the house. You can use the gym, but you can’t practice with the team.”
Gillian waves weakly while Bobby screws up his face in disgust. He points at me standing alone like the last stray left after an open house. Coach Herring ignores him as he blows his whistle and makes the team line up for practice. I can’t watch, so I head upstairs to the private gym.
The locker room is empty, and I find a locker for my stuff instead of leaving my bag in the main room. I better follow the rules, or I might lose my privilege here. I slam the locker shut, and the handle bangs as it slides into place.
“Wow, lady, take it easy on the equipment.”
Pierce stands in the doorway between the locker room and the showers, drying his hair. Thankfully, he’s dressed, so I can’t eye his junk. I haven’t before, but after that kiss, I would now. I sit down on the bench and retie my shoes.
“Rawlins has suspended me from the team,” I complain, “I’m a senior. This is my last year to compete.”
Pierce sits beside me on the bench, facing the other direction. “Not planning on college?”
I gawk at him. “I was, but after this bullshit? Never again will I go to school.”
“Stonehaven isn’t college, or no one would go.” Pierce checks out my legs through my joggers. “So, what else are you doing for the day?”
I tilt an eyebrow. “Weren’t you supposed to get me a few answer keys?”
His gaze rests on my chest. “There’s a charge for them now. A five-minute BJ for a key.”
I hit him in the shoulder, and he laughs like it’s flirting. “You are a pig.”
“No, I’m not. I’m a gentleman who sees how far he can get.”
“How far have you gotten?” I ask him.
He shrugs. “Not far lately, and my hand is getting tired.”
I rise up from the bench to get away, and he hooks his fingers in my waistband and pulls me down. I land with a plop and give him the dirtiest look. His smirk morphs into a grin.
“The two of us are too much alike,” I tell him, “Stubborn, bold, raunchy.”
“You forgot good-looking,’ he replies, “I first noticed you in the dining hall. You flipped me off.”
I push away from him. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did,” Pierce laughs. “You do it so often that you can’t remember all the times you’ve done it before.” He gets into my face. “And right now, you want to do it again.”
I push him back, letting my hands stay on his chest for a split second. “You were probably giving me the stink eye at the time.”
He leans in closer and whispers, “You want to thank me for saving you? Or should I thank you?”
“I only just decided to like you, and you’re already pushing it.” I jump up and dodge his grabbing hand. I open the locker to grab my bag. “I’m going to get some coffee from the dining hall. You coming?”
He smirks. “Nice choice of words.”
I storm out, but I’m grinning as Pierce follows behind me. We head over toward the dining hall, and I pull my coat tighter around me. Senior dinner doesn’t start for two hours, but the sophomores are eating, so the kitchen is open. I head for the employee door and knock. Gary opens the door and wipes his hands on his spotty apron. Most days, we wave but not much else than that. It’s not me; Gary considers me trouble.
He eyes me and then Pierce. “What happened now with you kids?”
I roll my eyes. “Gary, can you give a carb and a coffee?”
