“Coast is clear, Daniels. Burford backed down. I like having you at parties. You tend to keep the idiots in check. You’re good for the party environment.”
“I don’t do anything.”
“That’s the point. You take no bullshit, and the girls know that about you.”
“You want me to come to a party?”
“I do. A lot.”
The beef he was talking about was because of him. He’d been the reason. We were studying in the library. Sabrina Burford was into him. He was into me. She took offense, coughed the cunt word, and bam, there you have it. That was also the same night Cruz and I hooked up for the first time.
“I’m not fucking you, Miller.” I leveled him with a look, watching his reaction to that. I wanted to make sure that was crystal clear.
He eased back, but there was no flicker on his face. His lip curved up just slightly. “I know. Word is that you pick a dude for those needs, and you stick with only him but there’s no relationship strings attached.”
I almost dropped my pen. “Who told you that?”
“I got friends at Cain University. Your buddy Zeke talked. He’s a chill guy. I really liked him.”
Fucking figures. I slouched down in my seat. “I’m going to murder him.”
He held his hands up in surrender, leaning back from me. “He wasn’t spreading gossip. He just said you’re smart and don’t treat you like the rest.”
“Right, and that means he needs to spread that shit about me?”
“I’ve not said anything to anyone. I swear. I’m sharing because a chick as hot as you, I’m guessing you already got that guy picked out and it’s not me. I’m cool with that.”
I gave him a hard look.
Gavin snorted, slouching down in his seat too. “Man. You are super distrustful. That’s cool, though. I see I got my work cut out for me. I like you, Daniels. That’s all. I mean, I’d love to get in your pants, but I’m aware that’s not what you’re offering so that’s fine too. Still want you to come to our shindig this weekend. Guys have an away game, so we’re doing a watch thing at the house and then partying all night. Cool if you could come.”
I was about to respond, but caught movement behind and looked. Cruz was coming in, along with one of his teammates, Wes Barclay. They went down one of the aisles until a girl held out her hand. Barclay swung in next to her. Cruz saw me, and paused in the aisle, but he only blinked once before taking the empty seat on the other side of his teammate.
“Bianca.”
“Huh?”
Gavin flashed me a grin. “That’s Bianca. She was all over Cruz at their party Friday night. Turned her down, and I have no idea why.” He winked at me. “She’s almost as hot as you, Daniels.”
I rolled my eyes. “Keep up with that shit and I won’t come over this weekend.”
He frowned. “What girl doesn’t want to get compliments?”
I gave him a look.
“Shutting up now.”
The professor was coming in so I gave him a nod. “Thank you. And I’ll come this weekend.”
“Nice.” He gave me a wink and then class started.
Me: Stop talking about me to people.
Zeke: What’s up, Daniels! How are you? How’s it going? Also, you’re going to have to be specific. I talk to a lot of people so that’s going to be hard to do.
Me: Had a conversation with Gavin Miller about the type of guys I fuck. IT’S NOT YOUR BUSINESS!
Zeke: Oh yeah. Now that makes more sense. My bad. I was rolling and had half a bottle of Jack in me. Sorry about that.
Me: fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you
Zeke: I’ve missed you, Little Daniels.
Five minutes later,
Zeke: Still missing you.
Thirty minutes after that,
Zeke: Also, by the by, I liked Miller. He seemed like a good guy. Felt connected in a bro-way if you get my drift.
Zeke: Text again, Daniels. Once you open that door, you can’t close it. It’s the text-gate.
Me: That makes no sense.
Zeke: See! Got you. Tag, you’re it.
5
MARA
Dad: Do you want to be involved in where your mother goes?
Knock, knock!
I was reading over my dad’s last text and well, needless to say, I was happy for the distraction.
I put my phone away and went to the door.
I was guessing it was Miles. He and I went back to being he and I. There were a couple library study sessions, or where I studied and Miles dropped his books there, his bag, and went to socialize. He tended to find a girl, bring her over. She studied with us, and then he’d either go to her place after or she came to ours. But he and I were back to being our surface-only friends, so I opened it, asking before I saw who was on the other side, “Libr–” I stopped. “You aren’t Miles.”
It was another of our roommates. Skylar. Her and her girlfriend, Zoe, lived on the second floor. While Skylar wore mostly athletic clothes, pale skin, had long blonde hair with a few dreadlocks, Zoe was almost the opposite. She was a dainty artist, wore mostly flowery dresses and the cutest shoes, had light brown skin, and kept her hair mostly in braids. Zoe also was a fan of jewelry, with long and short necklaces, bracelets, and different earrings.
Skylar gave me a small grin and half of a wave. “We’re having some people over tonight for pizza. That cool with you?”
That was another thing in this house. They liked to make sure everyone signed off if there were going to be a lot of guests. I was guessing it had to do with the noise level since Skylar was on the soccer team. Wade was on the swim team. And Darren, the guy who lived on the first floor, was on the football team. A lot of athletes in the house.
She added, “Also, we’re considering doing a whole study event too. You in?”
I nodded. “What time? How much for the pizza?”
“Whenever and whatever you want to chip in for supplies. Zoe’s taking a cooking class elective this semester, and she’s got the chef bug. You know, if the artist thing doesn’t work out.” She gave me a wink.
I grinned.
I had needed the weekend alone, but the week of classes made me look forward to a study/pizza night.
“I’ll be down in a bit. Thanks for the invite.”
Skylar had nodded and started to turn back but paused and gave me a brighter smile. “Of course. See you down there!”
My phone started ringing behind me. Skylar went downstairs and I went to pick it up, shutting the door.
Zeke calling.
I frowned, but answered, “Dude.”
He laughed, a baritone voice on his end and sounding hoarse. “Batten down your hatches, Little Daniels. I’m going to violate your rule and, gasp, ask how you’re doing! And don’t give me the bullshit of not asking because apparently, I’m the only one with balls to wade through your toxic hostile attachment barriers.”
I grew up with the guy so I just drew in a breath, knowing Zeke would ignore whatever I said. I settled down on my couch and hit speaker, putting the phone next to me. “I’m fine.”
“Bullshit.”
“Zeke,” I started to warn.
He was unrolling the ball inside me that I’d been able to take all my mom stuff and stuff it in there.