Page 11 of His Reckless Freshman

“Don’t give up. I look forward to reading your piece.”

“I won’t.” I walk to the car but then stop and spin to face him again. “Thank you… Kieran.”

“You’re welcome… Jolie.” His smile is playful, and I can’t help a soft giggle as I slip into the car.

That was so sweet.

He didn’t have to stop and talk to me. To encourage me.

But he did.

And now I’m feeling all buzzy and my heart is racing, but in that good, excited way, and…

I won’t give up on this article.

I refuse.

In fact, I’m going to write the best article I can. I just need to go into this more prepared. I’ll find a different basketball player and approach them with a rehearsed speech, something intelligent and witty. Something that will win them over.

I’ll get what I need, and I’ll write an amazing piece and hand it into Kieran.

And then maybe he’ll smile at me like that again.

4

BEN

I’ve been at school for just over a month now, and I’m doing pretty damn well on the no-girls thing, even when they walk past me with sexy smiles and fluttering fingers that are constantly trying to capture my attention.

“Hey, Ben,” another one greets me on her way past.

I frown and keep walking, hoping she doesn’t spin to follow me.

I recognize her from one of my classes, but I can’t remember which one.

Shit. I so don’t want a repeat of this morning. I was in Java Jeans, minding my own business, thinking about an assignment, when this sweet little thing with big brown eyes and the cutest smile approached me. I recognized her from last year but couldn’t remember her name. We had one class together, and she was obviously happy to see me.

Instinct had me grinning back at her, until her eyes dipped and I spotted that blush on her cheeks.

Shit. It would have been so easy to sit down with her when she invited me to. We could have sipped coffee together, caught up on our summers. But I am not about that this year.

No girls.

No drama!

So, what did I do?

I channeled my roommate, Mac, and acted like a total dick.

“No, I’m good.”

“Oh.” She blinked up at me, surprised by my terse response to her invitation. “I just thought we could catch up and…”

Her voice trailed off. I have no idea what my face was doing, but it can’t have been good, because her eyes got all glassy. “Ben, are you all right?”

“Just don’t have time for a catch-up. Don’t ask me again, okay?”

Her eyes kind of rounded, her face flushing from pink to red. “S-sorry.” She sniffed, dipped her head, and bolted for the door.