She tilted her head, studying me. “You know, this is a good look on you. It’s pretty adorable.”

“What?”

“You’re smitten,” she said. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell the guys.”

“No, I’m not.” I tore away from her gaze, sinking my teeth into the apple.

“Uh-huh. Whatever you say.”

* * *

After eating dinner with Dallas and Shiv, taking another shower, and wasting more time than I should have looking up sports stats, I reluctantly cracked open my laptop so I could work on my history paper. It wasn’t due for a month, which would normally mean I wouldn’t even look at it for roughly twenty-nine more days. But maybe scrambling at the last minute wasn’t an optimal strategy as far as my grades were concerned.

As soon as I opened Word, my phone lit up beside me. Lightning quick, I grabbed it. I should have ignored it and focused on the assignment, but maybe it was important.

Bailey: Hey, it’s Bailey.

Bailey: I never thanked you for taking care of me that night. You didn’t have to do that.

Chase: Well, I kind of did. But I didn’t mind.

Bailey: I’m sure you were happy to see that we lost again tonight.

Chase: Didn’t know, but ouch. The streak continues.

Bailey: You’re crushing us in the standings. Gonna need you to throw a couple games at this rate.

Chase: Sure, I have a price. It’s probably not even that high.

Bailey: I’m afraid to ask.

Chase: How are things? Any more weirdness?

Bailey: Eh, they’re so-so.

Chase: Well, you know who to call.

Bailey: Ghostbusters?

Chase: Or me. But maybe an exorcism would help break your losing streak.

Bailey: You’d better hope the tables don’t turn, chippy.

Chase: Don’t worry, they won’t.

I stared at my phone with a stupid grin plastered across my face. Maybe Shiv was right. Maybe I was smitten. But I had no idea what to do about it.

13. better than you

CHAPTER 13

BETTER THAN YOU

Bailey

Wednesdays were the new Monday—the worst day of the week. Because Wednesdays meant that ASTR201 with Luke returned with a vengeance. There was no way I’d be lucky enough to avoid him again.

From the moment I woke up, a thick, black storm cloud of dread loomed over me. Even Zara and Noelle remarked that I seemed edgy in our Research Methods class. After parting ways with them, I headed over to The Dish for a late lunch I didn’t want to eat but knew I needed. I lingered over my chicken and brown rice bowl while time moved at warp speed, rocketing me closer and closer to astronomy.