Higher (The University of Gatica #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

She wanted to go home and shower. Plus, there was that paper to write.
    Carter was still downstairs when she came out of the bathroom. She licked her lips wishing she had lip gloss, she’d have even settled for chapstick. Carter and Wayne stood talking in the living room. Jani waited a few minutes not wanting to interrupt them. She finally had to clear her throat when she felt like an invisible person in the room. She hated that feeling. “I need to get going.”
    “You do?” Carter’s eyebrows popped up in surprise.
    “Yeah. I have a paper due tomorrow I need to finish.”
    Carter reached up onto the stereo cabinet and retrieved his keys. He nodded at Wayne, who stood there with a big smirk on his face that Jani would have loved to wipe off. Thank goodness he didn’t say anything.
    Jani forced a quick smile. “Bye, Wayne.” She turned and headed for the front door. It wasn’t until she stepped outside that she realized Carter had grabbed his truck keys. She stopped on the small set of stairs leading off the tiny front porch.
    Carter bumped into the back of her and instantly wrapped his arms around her to keep her from falling. “You forget something inside?”
    She loved the strength behind his lengthy arms. “Not inside.” She slowly moved forward to free herself from him. She leaned against the bumper of his truck. “My car’s parked around the corner.”
    He stared at her blankly a moment before saying, “Oh! You don’t need me to drive you home then.”
    “I guess I don’t.” Alone with him now, she kind of wished she hadn’t said she had to go while Wayne was there and Carter was acting all macho-manly. She liked him now, just the two of them.
    “Bummer.” One side of his mouth sucked inward and he made a slight pouty face as his nose scrunched.
    Jani sighed inwardly. Way too sexy .
    “Do you want me to walk you to your car then?”
    She straightened and pushed off the bumper. “Sure!”
    He slipped his fingers in between hers as she started to walk toward where she had parked the car for last night’s party. She had purposely parked around Carter’s house so she would have to pass it on her way over. It had worked out perfect because Carter had been outside and called out to her as she had passed him.
    “I wonder how Zach’s doing. I meant to text him before.” Carter pulled his phone out of his back pocket and checked it.
    “I didn’t hear back from Aileen either.”
    Carter glanced sideways at her and they both burst out laughing. “She so scored last night.”
    “I was kind of thinking the same thing.” Jani didn’t mean it in a bad way. The thought of Carter thinking she was gossiping about her roommate didn’t sit well in her mind. “I mean, good for her. She’s awesome and so is Tyler. I hope they make something from it.”
    “Like a baby?”
    She squeezed his hand as tight as she could. He didn’t even flinch. “I meant; for a relationship or something.”
    Carter pulled her tight beside him, using their hand holding as the anchor. “I know. I was only messing.”
    “Aileen is very sweet. I don’t want some dumb nut trying to take advantage of her. I don’t think Tyler’s that kind of guy.”
    Carter didn’t say anything and it made Jani’s radar pop up.
    “Do you know something about Tyler?”
    He shrugged. “No. The guy hasn’t dated anyone seriously while he’s been here. He had a girl, but it barely lasted. He’s going places, prominent places. I can’t see him deciding to have a serious relationship this year.”
    “Hasn’t he got one more year?” Charity thought Tyler had one more year of eligibility.
    “He won’t stay. He’s going to get drafted this year. He’ll be one of the top picks. Women will be flocking that pretty boy like moths to a flame.”
    Carter had a good point. Aileen was a freshman. No senior would wait around another three or four years, especially someone playing in the NFL. She hoped Aileen had considered that. For some