Rush (Roam Series, Book Four) by Kimberly Stedronsky Page B

way to his desk. Mr. Perry focused on me in the doorway.
    “Come on in, Logan.”
    I took a few steps forward, still slightly off balance. Did I forget something? I rechecked my pockets; phone and car keys, wallet…
    Everything’s here. What the hell is wrong with me? “Hi- Logan Rush,” I extended my hand. “Someone said you’re taking over the baseball team for the rest of the season?”
    He hesitated, glancing once at Roam before finally accepting my handshake. “That’s right. I hear you have a promising record.”
    “He’s so talented,” Roam gushed, wrapping one arm around me. I grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. “He’s being modest. Mr. Perry, thanks for picking up my book. I was so embarrassed. I just- I don’t know, felt lightheaded or something… anyway, thanks,” she flashed a charismatic smile, the same smile that convinced me that I was the luckiest guy in the world at least ten times a day.
    “Of course. Have a… good day. Welcome back Roam. ”
    For a second, I almost thought he was going to reach for her. I tightened my grip on my girlfriend, leading her toward the hall.
    The new school year, our senior year, lay before us in all of its glory. She slipped her hand in mine, her cheeks flushed to a pleasant pink as we walked to her locker. “I feel like… something’s off,” she turned to me, lifting her right arm and turning it from side to side. “I got so dizzy in class earlier, and completely dropped my book on the floor.”
    “Were you holding your breath?” I suggested, reaching for her combination lock before she did. 8-26-94… my birthday. I loved how much she loved me .
    “Maybe. Mr. Perry kind of made a… grand entrance. He walked in the door and immediately called someone on his phone. He apologized and said he was checking on his daughter, but it was just kind of- frantic. I don’t know. All I know,” she wetted her lips, tilting her head to the side slightly, “is that I’m glad you haven’t brought up the way I acted last night. So I will. You were right… and wrong.”
    “Oh, yeah?”
    “Yeah. You were right - I was feeling pressured by your eighteenth birthday… and how long we’ve been dating… that it was time to…,”
    I stared at her, straight-faced. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
    She twisted her lips and groaned, lowering her voice to a whisper. “ Make love. ”
    “Oh , I remember now.”
    “ You forgot ?” Her wide, innocent eyes, greener than her experience, nagged at my conscience.
    I tugged her closer, fitting her against my hips. “No, I didn’t forget. In fact, I dreamt about you all night. Naked, begging me to put you out of your virginal misery.”
    “Rush!”
    “Cam,” I got the rise out of her that I was waiting for; she flushed five shades of red in four seconds, and I tipped her face to mine. “When the time is right for you. Like I said. Now control yourself, slut.”
    “ Stop .”
    “And how was I wrong…?”
    She dropped her history book to the locker shelf, looping her arms around my neck. “What you said about… making love to me. You were wrong about being a regret in my life. I could never regret you.”
    The bell rang, and we were both late for second period, but neither of us moved. I slid my hand around the back of her neck, her long, silken hair falling in shining waves over my forearm.
    “I,” her lips softened, opening slightly as I urged them apart with mine, “love…,” her fingers tightened on my upper arm, “… you .”
    Breat hless, she wavered on her feet in the empty hallway.
    “ Roam, Logan, you are both late for class.”
    Mr. Perry’s voice cut through the daydream around us as he moved to close his classroom door.
    Roam broke away and covered her lips, nodding, embarrassed. “Sorry,” she murmured, closing her locker with a soft snap. I watched her hurry toward her next class, shrinking as she passed Mr. Perry again.
    “ Remember where you are,” he chided