AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shook my head, fighting a smile. “What’s your major?”
“Biology.”
My eyes widened, and he must’ve picked up on it. “Let me guess,” he said in a tone mocking mine from minutes ago. “You don’t think athletes are smart?”
“I didn’t say that. I just assumed you were here on a football scholarship, andthatwas your main focus.”
“Football is my main focus, but I also plan on getting my degree. In fact, I’m on pace to graduate with honors.”
Perhaps I shouldn’t have assumed he was only a big-time athlete using college as a pit stop before he went to the pros. His look confirmed my thoughts. “Sorry, I made an assumption.”
He scraped his chin with his thumb as he watched me. “No need to apologize.” Then he added, “I have a 4.0 GPA, by the way, in case you were wondering.”
His gaze was heady, and I could understand how anyone could get sucked under by the weight of his charm. And he was smart. That was definitely a plus in my book. I took one last draw from my straw. “I should probably go.”
“Hey. There’s a Pike formal this weekend in Austin at the Four Seasons, and I was wondering if you wanted to go?”
“Me? Go with you?” He was asking me on a date? I stared at him in confusion.
He made a show of looking around us in an overblown way, then checked under the table. “Don’t see anyone else around, so…” He again leaned back and tilted his head as he displayed a lazy smile. “Yeah. You go with me.”
“I can’t.” The words were automatic. I’d never been on a date in my life, much less ever been alone with a guy.
“Why not?” Axel’s phone hummed on the table, and he tapped it once.
“Because I don’t know you—”
He cut in easily. “We’ve been over this already. That’s why we’re having lunch.” His phone vibrated against the table again, and he clicked it off, not missing a beat.
I shook my head. “I’ve never…”
Been on a date. The words trailed off as his phone buzzed for the third time, and he frowned, typing out a quick message. I saw him cut his eyes to the side quickly in annoyance, and I glanced over to see brunette Barbie from the library, sitting in a booth across the restaurant with an equally stunning blonde girl beside her.
I turned away before I caught the wrath of her glare, but the food in my stomach suddenly felt as heavy as a rock. Even if I’d had some foolish notion of going on a date with Axel, this was more confirmation that I’d be crazy to consider it. I didn’t know what his motives were, nor did I care.
Why would he ask me on a date when he had girls like her at his beck and call? I could only argue brain fog from lack of food as being the reason I allowed him to take me to lunch in the first place. Did I not remember the rumors? Did I not remember what I witnessed in the library? I was an idiot.
Gathering my things, I said, “I have to go. Thank you for lunch.”
“Come on, you can’t leave me hanging like this without giving me a definitive answer.”
Didn’t I give him one? I tilted my head. Had no one ever told him no before? Looking at the confidence that exuded around him like a blatant aura, probably not. “I already told you I can’t go.”
“And I think your excuse is as flimsy as that napkin.” He nodded down at the napkin by my hand.
“I’m sorry.” I glanced down at my feet. “Even if I wanted to go, I couldn’t because I have to work at the library this weekend.”
“Now, you’re flat-out lying to me. Who would’ve thought an innocent, studious girl like you would tell a lie?” His expression was laced with humor.
“No, I’m not.” I totally was, and I was a terrible liar.
“Yes, you are. You didn’t even look me in the eye when you said it. Definitely a shady move.”
I sighed wryly. “I really need to go.”
“Wait.” He leaned over the table and laid his hand on my wrist, and his smugness seemed to drop a few decibels. “Come to the formal with me.”
I stared down at his long, strong fingers touching my skin as warmth spread up my arm, causing goose bumps to form. Raising my eyes to his, I almost faltered at seeing a softness that would melt anyone’s resolve and erase any reasons why you would ever have reservations.
