Convenient Fall (Players of Marycliff University Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mouth.
    When she came back out, Matt was standing. “We always get breakfast burritos from this little place that serves them all day. Let me know what you want and I'll bring you one.”
    “Sure. Thanks.”
    “Cool. Come on out whenever. Chris is still in bed, so he won't bother you.”
    “Thanks.”
    He nodded and walked out of her bedroom, closing the door behind him. It was nice of Matt to try to make her feel welcome. He seemed to have decided to take on the role of protector where she was concerned. Including her in what he and Chris were doing, making sure she drank water at the party last night, keeping overeager guys away from her, bringing her hangover remedies and food this morning. He was a good guy.  
    If Chris could just get with that program, living here wouldn't be too bad.
    * * *
    Chris drifted out of the athletic center on his way to his first class. Maybe the last time ever he'd be going to his first class. Not because he'd be graduating in December—that was out of the question—but because he might not bother coming back in the spring. He was only here still so he could play his last season.  
    When Megan had mentioned that she worked as a tutor it made him wonder if she could help him manage to graduate. Part of the reason he was considering just quitting once the semester was over was because he wasn't even sure if he'd be able to graduate in May. Maybe if he actually tried. But that meant he needed to care. That was the real sticking point.
    As if thinking of her had conjured her up, Megan appeared in front of him. She came out of a building he’d never been in on the other side of the grass from him. From this angle he couldn't see the name of the building, so he had no idea what it was. She was looking down at something in her hands and hadn't noticed him watching from the sidewalk across the way.  
    A guy came out behind her and said something to her. He was too far away to hear, but it obviously wasn't nice. Megan stiffened, and she turned to face the newcomer. Even in profile Chris could tell she was pissed. Their exchange got more heated.
    Chris wanted to step in, but he didn't know if his help would be welcome. Megan had avoided them yesterday, leaving the house and staying gone for hours. Not that he had any room to complain. He'd done the same thing the day before. Matt had kept her company all day, which irritated Chris. He'd wanted to try to talk to her, but not with Matt sitting next to her on the couch.  
    Just because their home life was starting out awkwardly didn't mean he wanted to see  some guy getting her riled up. He wanted to rile her up, and not in the way this guy was doing. He'd decided to leave her alone, but that didn't mean he should let her fend for herself against assholes when he could do something about it.
    Decision made, he hitched his backpack higher on his shoulder and started across the grass, his free hand clenched in a fist at his side. The guy that was bothering Megan looked up and his eyes widened a little before his normal, arrogant look returned to his face. He said one more thing in Megan's ear, low enough that Chris still couldn't hear, and walked off.
    Megan turned to face him, still looking mad. He lifted a hand, about to reach out for her to offer some kind of comfort but let it drop. He shouldn't touch her. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah. Fine.”
    He snorted. “Really? 'Cause you don't sound fine. Who was that?” He looked in the direction that the asshole had gone.
    “Isaac.” Megan's voice was tight, and her feelings about Isaac were clear.
    “Ex-boyfriend?”
    “God, no. Not for lack of trying, though.” He raised his eyebrows at that. She noticed and let out a laugh, but it sounded mean, not her usual full laugh that he really liked. “On his part, not mine. I thought I made that clear over the summer, but he doesn't like to take no for an answer.”
    Chris didn't like the sound of that. He looked her over again. Her face was