Right, right.
Instead, I think about being a lawyer.
I picture Dad proud of me.
I picture Mom sane and whole.
I picture me doing Kurt proud.
12
Julia
My eyes dart from the red dress to the yellow one. Both give off different vibes. One is sexy, one innocent. I snatch up the demure yellow one, then put on low-heeled brown boots. I swish from side to side in the mirror.
Perfect for a day date with Channing. Our first real date.
Taylor opens my door and plops down on my bed. “Your guy is downstairs.”
A long exhale comes as nerves hit me. Channing and I have been hanging out as friends for a while, but last week he kissed me in the library. He asked for more from me. He asked if I’d give him a chance.
My gut twists. “He isn’t Parker,” I say mostly to myself as I rub on a pale pink lip gloss.
“Thank God,” Poppy muses from where she’s sitting on my bed. “He’s a freak.”
“I like Channing. He’s sweet. He walks me to class and takes me to lunch.” I color in my brows.
“Are you trying to convince yourself?” Poppy asks with a wry grin.
I wince. Maybe.
Taylor grunts. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, you’re fishing in the same asshole pond Parker came from. I’d just hate for you to forget that.”
I brush out my hair, then turn to take them in. Both look back at me with serious expressions. “Are you saying I can’t trust my instincts? I haven’t lost my grit, guys. I just want to have fun with a normal guy for once. He’s the only one interested.”
Taylor gives me a sly smile. “Not Eric?”
I chew my lips. Sure, I’ve thought about him, especially since the escape room. “We’re just friends.”
Taylor shrugs. “I’m just saying, Parker was the perfect guy—then he screwed around. It runs in Kappa blood.”
I stiffen. “You can’t paint all men with the same brush, plus Channing never talks about Parker. It’s apples and oranges. I won’t let myself be fooled again.”
Leaving them there, I smile at Channing as I come down the stairs. He looks handsome, his dark hair swept back, his face clean shaven. Only he’s wearing faded jeans and a Kappa shirt.
“Gorgeous,” he murmurs when I give him a hug.
I grab my purse. “So, what’s the surprise date? Where are we going?”
He winces. “I have to cancel. I would have texted but wanted to see you in person.”
My shoulders slump with disappointment. “What happened?”
He sighs. “I’ve got that Soc paper to do. I tried to finish last night, but it sucks and I need to get my grade up. But, to make it up to you, I brought you my old camera to use. You’ve been talking about snapping pics of the town, so I thought you might do that today instead.” He unzips the bag and shows me the camera. “It’s older than my new one but still in great shape.”
“Or I can just wait until you finish your paper? Better yet, we can hit the library and I’ll hang out while you work on it. I don’t mind.” I glance down at my dress. “I can change.”
“No. That won’t work. Besides the paper, there’s a hockey game tonight and we’re hosting the after-party. You know how it is. The guys have asked me to run the bar.”
“A pledge can do that.”
He rubs his face. “Parker asked me to be there. It’s not like you’re free tonight. You’re working at the club.”
“Right,” I say, my eyes narrowed.
He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “I can stop by after you get off and walk you home.”
My voice is tight. “Sure. Sounds good.”
He steps in and kisses me on the lips. “Just text me when you’re done and I’ll wait out back.”
“Fine.”
“It’s a date.”
“No, today was a date,” I say.
“We’ll do it again.”
Mm-hmm.
As he walks outside and gets in his Mercedes, my body prickles with Parker memories, the times he said he was busy with Kappa.
If I have misjudged Channing, how can I ever trust my instincts again?
13
Julia
When I get off-stage, I go to Eddie to see if anyone’s asked for a lap dance. I sigh in relief when he tells me no. I’ve only made fifty in tips, which is terrible for a Saturday.
Eddie tells me I can take off after my next set and I whoop in excitement.
I text Channing. Leaving early, can u meet me in an hour?