Deep End: A Bad Boy Sports Romance by Roxeanne Rolling Read Free Book Online

desperately begging for an extension on a paper due the next day.
    “I think I’m making some real progress,” I say. “I’ve got an inside source.”
    “An inside source?” says Beaumont , sounding a little worried, which surprises me.
    I go on to explain the plan I just cooked up. I read Beaumont the quote from the textbook. I’m practically ca ckling as I tell him my deviou s plan.
    “Look, Alison, this is pretty advanced stuff. I mean , that’s not a bad idea in some ways… But… Look, I just don’t want you to get hurt. I’ve heard a little bit about this Anchor character that you’re talking about, and I know what an effect he can have on women.”
    I’m annoyed at his tone of voice, and it sounds like he’s giving me a lecture like I’m his daughter.
    “Look, Professor Beaumont , with all due respect, I’m not one these idiotic college girls who falls for the jock. Don’t worry. I’m not the typical story.”
    “I know you’re brilliant, Allison, and I know you have a good hold on yourself. But aside from this Anchor thing, I’ve been thinking the project over, and perhaps I was a little too enthusiastic. I mean , we’re going to be essentially taking on the whole college, and th e whole sports establishment. It ’s not going to be easy. There’s going to be a lot of pressure, and you’ve got to worry about graduating, after all. You have to know that I’m going to write you a great recommendation letter anyway, and I’m sure you’ll end up working at a great newspaper, even if it’s not The Journal , necessarily.”
    “I appreciate your concern, Professor Beaumont ,” I say, my tone of voice curt and professional . “But I’m going ahead with the project. There’s nothing you can say now to convince me otherwise.”
    We say goodbye and I hang up.
    I’m feeling nervous. Beaumont sure seems to be taking this very seriously . Maybe I’ve gotten in over my head with this article? After all, as I look around the room, there is normal classwork that needs to be done. However easy it is for me, I still have to do it, and it’s going to take time.
    But I’m determine d .
    For one thing, I want to get back at these stupid jocks. Just their mere presence on campus has bothered me since my first day as a freshman. I’ve had to put up with them getting passing grades in classes just because they’re swimmers, even when they’re total idiots.
    But am I being honest with myself?
    The image of Anchor’s muscles comes back to me for a moment, before I shake it off.
    Do I want to do this to secure my place at The Journal , to prove I can be a real investigate reporter, to get back at the jocks, or to get closer to Anchor? After all, even though he’s plenty obnoxious , I wouldn’t mind being close to him.
     

7
Anchor
     
    I’m meeting Allison this afternoon in half an hour.
    I find myself checking my appearance in the mirror, once, twice, then again. I’m trying to flatten out my pool-bleached hair but it’s useless. It sticks up at odd angles no matter what I do. The chlorine has made the texture strange, thick, and frayed, and impossible to work with. Then again, none of the twenty or so chicks I’ve slept with this year have had a problem with it.
    “Where you head ed ?” says Dave, who’s in the middle of shoving a microwaved burrito into his face.
    “Meeting Allison, that reporter chick,” I say. I’ve already told Dave about the whole deal with Coach. What I haven’t told him is that I think I have a bit of a thing for Allison. Despite what coach says, I know I’m going to have to have her, one way or the other. As I know plenty well, there’s always a way around the rules.
    “Ah, the hot one,” says Dave. He’s leaning back in his student desk chair, with his laptop balanced precariously on his knees. He’s watching a porn video with the volume turned all the way up.
    “Dude, can ’t you watch that once I’m gone ?”
    “What’s the big deal?” says Dave,