Page 33 of The Love Penalty
“What guys?”
A pitiful laugh pops out of me. “Come on, you’re not that stupid.”
He clenches his jaw, smirking at me before casually replying, “Just some of the basketball guys. I go to their games when I can.”
“Okay. And, um…” I lick my lips, threading my fingers together. “Are you embarrassed to be seen with me or something?”
“What?” His eyes bulge. “Are you kidding me? You’re so fucking hot, of course not. If anything, you’re a trophy.”
My head jerks back. “Excuse me?”
His face bunches into an immediate cringe. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re not an object. You’re a human being, and I respect you and?—”
“Okay, shut up.” I raise my hand at him.
He looks at the tall guys, who are shuffling away from the counter to wait for their orders. When they turn to glance our way, he schools his expression once more. Mr. Cool and Aloof at your service.
I narrow my eyes at him. “If you’re not embarrassed to be seen with me, then why are you suddenly acting all weird?”
“I’m not acting weird.” He frowns.
“Uh…” My eyes dart from left to right. “Yeah, you are.”
“No, I’m—” He smirks again, looking all kinds of cool while raising his chin to acknowledge the towering squad of athletes as they grab their coffees and leave Java Jeans.
As soon as they’re out the door, he slumps back in his seat and says, “What were we talking about again?”
My face puckers into a scowl—I can feel it. Crossing my arms and tapping my finger on my elbow, I give him a stern look and ignore my better judgment, venturing into deeper territory, because I have to know…
“Why did you do that?”
CHAPTER 16
ASHER
“Do what?” I have no idea what was in her coffee, but the look she’s giving me right now has an x-ray quality that’s making me uncomfortable.
I shrug, going for casual and detached, but she’s not going to let me get away with it.
I seriously don’t know what she’s talking about, so this conversation should be fun.
Yes, that was sarcasm.
Bracing myself, I try not to shy away from her pointed look.
“You totally changed the second they walked in the door.” She flicks her finger between me and the entrance. “You were being funny and pulling silly faces, and then you just… detached. It was like watching you put on a costume or something.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shake my head, not enjoying the way my heart rate just picked up. What the fuck is she going on about? I didn’t detach!
“You don’t even realize you did it.” Her mouth can’t decide if it wants to drop open and gape at me or curl into a smile and laugh at me. “I swear, the second those guys walked in, you changed. You went all cool and aloof, like talking about the Council of Elrond and Narnia and Ken Follett were these taboo things. Like it’s not okay to be an elite athlete who likes classical music and talking about history.” Her eyes narrow again, and I can feel the beams shooting out of them, reading me like I’m a fucking open book.
A book I obviously haven’t read yet!
“You don’t need to hide, you know. It’s okay to let your geek flag fly. I like you better that way.”
I can’t help a scoff. “You don’t like me at all. You’ve made that abundantly clear.”
She goes quiet, her eyes dipping to the table, before she finally murmurs, “Yet I’m sitting here drinking coffee with you.” Her jaw works to the side before she lets out a self-deprecating laugh. “I must be insane—a crazy person, maybe, because…” She shakes her head, pressing her lips together before letting out a sigh. “Because you annoy me, and you’re arrogant, and you obviously have these two sides to your personality. I should be running in the opposite direction, but I’m still freaking sitting here!” Her arms flick up, smacking back down on the arms of the chair while I find my voice.