The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game 1)

“Now that you saved me from killing myself over this photo, I need to eat. See you later and thanks again. ” She tossed her purse strap over her shoulder, catching the ends of her ponytail in it before cursing and tugging the strands free.

It took longer than I expected to edit the photos from last night, but I had to admit they were good. They were better than good, actually. My stomach rumbled and I wondered if Melissa was still on campus. I sent her a quick text to which she responded, “Still here. In the SU. ”

I wrote back, “I have class in a few, but I’m on my way,” before inserting the memory card into my camera and shoving it into my backpack. I passed some girls and pretended not to notice when they pointed and whispered Jack’s name.

Irritated, I took a detour through campus, pleased when I noticed the pathway was virtually vacant. I shook my head while I walked, annoyed that Jack’s antics had made me the focus of attention I didn’t want.

I threw open the heavy glass door and heard the sound of bowling pins crashing. Craning my neck to see the bowler, I smiled when I recognized the guy from my digital foundations class. Quick bursts of light alerted me that he wasn’t bowling for fun and I watched another kid from class taking pictures of him.

I diverted my attention and looked around the sparse crowd for Melissa’s face. She tilted her head and stuck out her tongue, catching my eye, before I strolled over to where she and Dean were sitting. I flung my pack on the table before plopping down.

“Thought you weren’t coming to my game?” Jack slid his body into the seat next to mine, his tone sounding a bit arrogant.

“My roommate threatened to set me on fire if I didn’t. ” I kept my voice cool and avoided his eyes, scooting my body away from his.

“Well, at least now I know how to get you to go out with me. ”

“I’m not going out with you,” I said, turning my head away from him.

“At least give me your number then?”

“No thanks. ”

“Why not?”

“’Cause I don’t want to. ” I breathed out, still irritated about the way other girls acted around him. It just kept eating at me, which was a good thing, because it helped me resist Jack. God help me.

“Aw, come on, Kitten. ”

“Stop calling me that!” I rose from the table, grabbing my things. “I’ll see you later,” I announced, my attention solely focused on Melissa.

I flung my pack across my shoulder and slipped hastily out a side door. Dropping my sunglasses over my eyes, I headed toward the tall Communications & Arts Building.

“Kitten! Kitten, wait up!”

I looked back to see Jack racing to catch me, and everyone’s attention drawn toward us.

“For the last time, my name isn’t Kitten. ” Hiking my bag strap a little higher on my shoulder, I sped up my pace.

“I know! But you’ve never told me your real name,” he said, slightly out of breath.

I let out a quick sigh. “Cassie. ”

“It’s really nice to meet you, Cassie. ” He said my name all syrupy sweet and his brown eyes danced. It was easy to see why girls threw themselves at him.

“I’d say it’s nice to meet you too, but I haven’t decided yet. ”

He laughed. A real, hearty laugh and I had to stop myself from doing the same. “Anything I can do to help sway your decision?” He scratched his hair, his bicep flexing.

“I highly doubt that. ”

“Let me take you out, Cass. ” He said it so honestly, I almost believed he genuinely wanted to.

“No. ” I stood firm, my tone flat.

“Why not?”

“I enjoy my dates to be disease-free. ”