Page 12 of His Reckless Freshman

Shit, I felt like the world’s biggest asshole.

Because I acted like the world’s biggest asshole!

I’m trying so hard not to get my heart burned again, but acting this way sucks.

How do I let chicks know that I’m off the market? Not because I have myself a girlfriend, but because girls suck and my sappy heart can’t take another rejection.

School and basketball. That is it this year.

Thankfully, despite the fact that school is already getting intense, I’m really enjoying it. There’s something about the justice system that appeals to me. It’s not perfect by any means, but I do love the idea of fairness and equality. I like the idea of people who do bad shit to others having to face the consequences and people who have done nothing wrong being proven innocent.

I’m still trying to decide which kind of lawyer I want to be.

Part of me wonders if I should do something like my dad and go for drama-free law, like business or tax, which is purely transactional. But the thought of litigation kind of inspires me. I guess I’ve watched too many courtroom dramas, but there’s something about that kind of law that excites me. Arguing a point with logic, proving guilt or innocence. Should I be a defense attorney or a prosecutor? Both are intriguing, and I guess once I move on to law school, I’ll start to get a real sense of what I want to pursue.

For now, I want to enjoy my last two years here, play basketball, ace my classes, and⁠—

“Ben? Ben Evers?”

I glance over my shoulder to watch a skinny girl with a blonde bob come running toward me.

She looks twitchy and nervous, and her big gray eyes are so earnest when she stops beside me and forces what she must think is a confident smile that I have to slow my step.

Because it’s not a confident smile. Her nervous energy is so potent that I can practically smell it, and I don’t want to be a heartless asshole and ignore her, even if she is trying to make a pass at me.

You’re supposed to be acting like an asshole, remember?

Nice guys always lose. Channel Mac again and act like you don’t give a shit about anything.

I force myself not to smile politely like I normally would.

“So, hi.” She bobs on her toes. “How are you?”

“Good.” I nod, frowning at her, although I’m actually trying not to laugh at how awkward she is.

“That’s great.” She clears her throat. “Do you have a minute?”

“Just a minute,” I murmur, now wondering if she’s about to ask me for money. She’s holding notes against her binder; her eyes keep darting down to them. Maybe she’s collecting for one of the many student organizations at this school.

If that’s the case…

My shoulders start to relax.

But then her expression lifts, like she’s surprised I’m still talking to her. She hugs the binder against her chest and flashes me two deep dimples. “So, I’m Jolie Carmichael, and I’d love to chat with you about basketball. I know you’re on the team and…” Her rushed words start to fade as a warning light flashes in my brain.

Wait, is she the girl from the school paper?

The one Darian warned us all about?

“So, I just really need a chance to talk to some of the players. And you’re a player. A really important one, so if I could start with you, then…” Her smile slips when she finally looks up and notices my shaking head and the fact that I’m starting to inch away from her. “Oh, come on, please.” This look of pure desperation crumples her expression. “I need an interview. I’ll come totally prepared. I swear I won’t waste your time, and I can talk fast. See? I’m doing it right now. I’m quick and efficient, and I promise you won’t regret it.”

I can’t help a scoffing laugh. “You sure you want to talk to a guy from the worst team in the school?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I was just stating facts!” Her skinny arm that seems too long for the rest of her body swings out wide. “You guys had the worst performance of any team in the school last year, but that doesn’t mean you’re the worst in the whole country or anything.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, I mean…” She squeezes her eyes shut and huffs. “I want to highlight you guys. Make you look good. I want to write an article that will help people see that you’re a great team. I want to focus on your attributes and what it’s like to keep fighting when you’re at the bottom of the standings.”