82

Ryan

Lost A Bet

I had a sixteen minute break in the training center that I took full advantage of by jogging to Gianna's . Everything was slipping away too fast.

My days were full of practice and gameplan meetings and more meetings and sponsorship agreements and required time at the gym when my trainors clocked me and weighed me and pushed me. Some mornings I had to skip practice for my own personal sessions and I didn't even see Kassie until the evening.

It was a deep pang in my muscles, a constant reminder of what I was missing out on while I was preparing for the draft in April. Of what I'd be missing out on the moment she transferred.

I pushed open the door to Gianna's and scanned the tables, settling on the one person who could help me out with a bet that needed to be settled.

"Hey, friend stealer," Zariah greeted me, holding up her soda.

"Zariah." I nodded to her, taking one of the empty chairs.

"Someone's sitting there."

"They're not sitting here now."

She gave me a long look and took a drink of her soda. "Kassie is staying at your dorm than she's at ours ."

"Dude, who let you out of the training center?" a voice interrupted me and I glanced up with surprise at Adam and King, with their backpacks on.

"I don't have time right now." I nodded towards Zariah, clearly showing I was in the middle of a conversation.

King raised his eyebrows. "You're in my seat."

For a couple of seconds, I legitimately thought they were kidding. But June pushed through the door right after them, and I had to take the other chair while the others sat around the table.

"You guys really hang out together?" I finally asked.

"Usually Kassie's here," Adam said. "Where is she?"

"Design department," I answered automatically.

It was weird to think that they hung out with my girlfriend more than they hung out with me. I just didn't have the time. On other days I didn't, but I made time for this.

"I've got two free hours today," I told them.

" Woah ." June whistled. "How?"

Adam threw me a look. "Holy shit, it finally happened. Cleo asked you to kill somebody and you caved in. You're a sick man, Cross."

"No, it's worse…" I grimaced. "I have to do a commercial and wear the Romans mascot."

Sounds of sympathy came from almost everyone at the table but that wasn't why I'd hit up Zariah to see where she was at. I double-checked my phone, making sure I had the time right.

"I lost a bet," I explained. "And Kassie wants my car for some stuff in the art building."

Zariah shifted up. I knew she knew what I was talking about.

To the side, King shook his head. "The art building closes earlier than everywhere on campus."

"If you don't have the access codes, it does." Zariah narrowed her eyes. "That is if I want to go."

"Oh, we're breaking and entering?" Adam pushed his way into the conversation. "Crazy. The one thing I've actually never done before."

I frowned. "I'm asking Zariah."

"Heard loud and clear." Adam shifted to look at Zariah. "Are you going with?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"And this is for Kassie?" King pressed.

"I want to know too." Adam cracked his knuckles. "If it's for the illustrator-in-chief, I'll do it for her. If it's for you, I just won a football game a couple of days ago. I'm busy."

I was taken aback. "It is for Kassie—"

"Good, I'll do it."

King nodded. "I'm in."

"But you wouldn't do it for me?" I frowned. "What the hell?"

"You skip too many of my parties." Adam sighed. "Quiz me, I don't even know you anymore. What's Ryan's last name? No idea. What position does he play? Waterboy."

"Kassie draws me like a superhero." King grinned.

I shifted to face Zariah who gave a loud sigh when she spotted me. "So…do you want to come with?"

"Well, you can't go in without me.'

"And?"

"Fine." Zariah sighed. "What time?"