Page 24 of The Boy Next Door
“I’ll be around to pick you up tonight at seven.” His eyes lock with mine in a challenge.
I’m not going with him. Frowning, I place my hand on my stomach and bend at the waist a little. “Oh, looks like I’m sick. I won’t be able to make it.” I slap his hand away from the door and open it again, this time stepping in and slamming it closed behind me.
Several of the girls are in the living room and they look up at my abrupt entrance. “Everything okay?” Jessie asks.
“Yeah. Fine,” I grumble.
I glance through the window, watching Winston step off the porch. She follows my gaze. “Winston, huh?”
“Yep. Lucky me, he won the auction.”
“Oh, shit, I’m sorry. He’s awful.”
“Yeah.” I head to my room, and shoot Winston a message on Instagram offering to refund his money. There is no way in hell I’m going through with this.
* * *
I’m reviewing my biology notes when Lindsey’s picture flashes on my phone. I answer it, immediately placing the call on speaker. “Hey, Linds.”
“Soooo....”
“So?” I highlight the entire first paragraph about meiosis.
“Did you bang Evan? Does he have a huge dick? And most importantly, did he make you come, because if he didn’t, well...”
I drop the highlighter and scramble to take the phone off speaker, terrified someone in the hall may hear. “Oh, my god,” I say with a hiss. “You’re so vulgar!”
“Ah, still a prude, I see.” She laughs. “No boom-boom for you then?”
“Lindsey, I swear.”
“So, virginity auction it is then?”
I glance at my notes again. “I’m studying, so if you’re just calling to pry into my sex life then I’ll just—”
“Aw, you did it!” she says, her voice hitting an octave I’m certain only dogs should be able to hear. “My baby sister’s been deflowered. I’m so proud of you.”
“Proud?”
“Yes, you and Evan so have it bad for each other.” She swoons. “This is just like thePrincess Bride.”
“Can you please explain to me how in the hell my sleeping with Evan has anything to do with Princess Buttercup?”
“Because he’s your farm boy, your ‘As you wish.’” She giggles like a fourteen-year-old.
“Wow! I can’t with you today.”
“I feel like we should have a party.”
“No!” I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “Look, I’m glad I made you proud—I think—but I really have to study.”
“Yeah you do, you’re going to need all the free time you can get to hunch the boy next door.”
I laugh. “Bye, Lindsey.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and my phone buzzes with a message.
Winston:I hate to be a dick, but if I don’t get what I’m owed, I’ll report your sorority to the dean. Surely prostitution is frowned upon by the university. It would be a shame for you girls to get expelled. One date, Emma. That’s all. Tomorrow night.
Shit.
