Free Romance: Rockstar Romance: Rock My World (A Bad Boy Rock Star and a College Girl Romance) (Contemporary New Adult Second Chance Romance) by Kelly Clark

friends . Her step-mother had warned her about life and getting older. And if there was anyone who knew about devastating life changes, it was her step-mother. Rachel decided not to think about negative things and just enjoy where she was at that moment. She lifted her hands up when the server came over with a cloth. As the young woman wiped the table down, she moved her mind to happy thoughts.
    Rico and Dallas delivered four large baskets of wings to the table ten minutes later.
    “These are the best wings on the planet, man. The absolute best.” Rico said as he slid into the booth next to his cousin.
    “Oh?” Rachel attempted a joke. “And you’ve tasted all the wings on the planet?” She smiled at him and was grateful when he smiled back.
    “I have. Didn’t you know I’m a globe trotter? Started when I was five, made my way all the way around the world.”
    “Sorry, buddy,” Dallas said. “That’s basketball, not football.”
    The four friends laughed.
    Rachel looked down at the basket of wings Dallas slid in front of her. She wondered what kind they were. She was afraid to ask and looked up at Bree to see if she could send a telepathic message of inquiry.
    Bree wasn’t looking at her, but Dallas was. He was scanning the side of her skeptical face. He leaned close to her and said into her ear, “They’re mild, Rachel. Bree said you only eat mild .”
    Rachel’s face lit up, and she gave Dallas a big smile. “That’s awesome!” She said.
    He grinned back at her. “Hey, you really pretty up when you smile.”
    She raised her eyebrows and stuck her tongue out at him, hiding the fact that the words had made her feel a bit insecure. Did that mean he thought she was ugly otherwise? She moved her eyes down to the wings. She was going to devour them.

Chapter Two
    Rachel hoisted herself up onto the stool, slinging her backpack under the lab table. There weren’t many students in the classroom yet, so she set her book down and opened it to the chapter they were currently studying. They had been warned that an assignment would be handed out today that would mean a good portion of their final grade. She wanted to be ready if it was some kind of impromptu test. She’d spent most of the weekend studying, giving herself a short break to go for a run with Bree on Saturday evening and church on Sunday. Otherwise, she spent her time studying. She and Bree shared a small apartment near the college, so she had plenty of quiet time. Bree never bothered her when she was concentrated on her studies.
    She was somewhat surprised when she saw Dallas come in. He was holding a book, and he made a beeline for her table. They generally didn’t sit together, and she dreaded the fact that it looked like he was going to change that today. He did take the stool next to hers, dropping his book onto the table with a loud thud.
    “Hey, Rachel. How you doing today?”
    She looked up from her book and nodded at him. “Hello, Dallas. You’re here early today.”
    He nodded. “Yeah, saw Mr. Flynn at the game and he made sure to tell me to be here on time today. Said we got a major assignment coming up, and if I don’t pass it, I might not be able to continue playing football.”
    “Is that because your grade is low in this class?” Rachel tried not to sound condescending. She didn’t know what he expected if he wasn’t going to participate in class or bother to show up in the first place.
    “Yeah, I guess. I haven’t really been able to show up to class and sometimes I’m kinda tired when I come in. But my grade is okay, and I’m trying hard. I just know that if I don’t concentrate on this assignment we’re getting, I might not pass. That wouldn’t be good.”
    “Got to play football, right?” She hated that she was being sarcastic with him, but he had readily admitted that he didn’t care about the class. She found it difficult to feel sympathy for him.
    He looked at her and nodded. “Yeah, I really hope to go