Page 10 of Trusting Tanner
“I know.” Devon hadn’t let her forget that for a single day.
“I don’t want you to give up on men and dating because you had one bad experience.”
“What does this have to do with Tanner?”
“Nothing.” He straightened. “Maybe everything. I don’t know. Tanner seems like he’s a good guy, and if you were looking to get back out there, he’s probably a good choice. I just want you to be careful, okay?”
She took another drink. “Well, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m not interested in dating Tanner or anyone else.”Liar, liar, pants on fire.She sipped her Pepsi. Sure, she was attracted to Tanner. What living, breathing woman wouldn’t be? Andifshe were looking to date again, it would hands-down be with Tanner. No question about it. But if the situation with Zach had taught her anything, it was that a guy like Tanner would never be happy with just one woman, and she was not going to sign up for another broken heart.
“Jules.”
“It’s not because of Zach or what he did to me, all right? I have a full class load this semester, and I need to focus on my grades. And getting into a good med school. Dating is a distraction I don’t need. Now can we please drop it?”
“Fine.”
Their food arrived, and Juliana was grateful to have something else to focus on. They ate in silence for several minutes before Devon spoke again. “Fifty bucks says you and Tanner hook up before Halloween.” He lifted his head and met her gaze, an arrogant, knowing look crossed his face.
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you seriously betting on my love life?”
“You betcha.” He shoved a jalapeno popper into his mouth. “What’re you gonna do, Shea? Put up or shut up?”
“Hmm.” She dipped a mozzarella stick into the marinara sauce then took a bite. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to shove it because she was not going to base her dating decisions on some stupid competition. But the familiar tingling in her veins was present, filling her with excitement and kick-starting her competitive nature. “Define what you mean by hook up? Like casual sex or dating?”
“Both.” He laughed.
She took a drink. For the first time ever, she couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
“Kind of. It was more of a flippant comment because I really don’t think you’re immune to the charms of Collins but…” He gave a lazy shrug.
“You’re a jerk.” She laughed. Tension eased from her shoulders.
“Have you made up your mind about the frat party this weekend?”
“No.” Tanner had said he was going, but she wasn’t sure if that was a valid reason to go or a flashing neon warning to avoid it.
Frat parties weren’t her thing, and the only reason she even considered going was for Devon. She hated to disappoint him, but the idea of loud music, too much alcohol, and a breeding ground for meaningless hookups was not appealing. And she hadn’t been to a frat party since the night she’d walked in on Zach fucking some sorority chick—a.k.a. the second, and final, time she’d caught him cheating on her. Devon had been encouraging her to get back out there, promising her a party with him, at his frat, would be a safe way to dip her toes back into the dating pool. Deep down she knew he was right. She simply wasn’t ready to put herself in a situation that would bring all those memories rushing back to her.
…
Juliana twisted the doorknob and was both relieved and worried to find the door unlocked. Either Rebecca was home or she’d left and didn’t bother to lock the door. Jules walked into the room and dropped her heavy bag to the floor. Six pairs of eyes stared at her. What the fuck? Rebecca was having a party?
“Oh, hey, Jules.” Rebecca waved. “Come on in.”
“Uh, what’s going on here?” She tried to keep her tone light and friendly, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. Pizza boxes, half-eaten slices of pizza, soda cans, and dirty napkins littered the floor, nightstand, and desks.Boththe desks. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“We’re just hanging out. This is Paul.” She motioned toward the guy sitting on the bed next to her. “Down there on the floor are Gary and Patrice. And over there”—she pointed at Jules’s bed—“are Phillip and Mandy.”
Jules jerked around to stare at the couple on her bed. They were practically in each other’s laps, and Phillip had his hand up Mandy’s shirt, while her hand was covering his crotch. There were two complete strangers making out on her bed. Anger ignited in her chest, and she curled her hands into fists, her fingernails biting into her palms.
“Would you two mind moving?” she asked them, her tone clipped.
“Sorry.” The girl, Mandy, giggled. She and her boyfriend moved from the bed to the floor.
“Chill, Jules. Sit down. Relax.” Rebecca grabbed a pizza box. “Hungry? There’s a few slices left.”
“I already ate, but thanks.” Jules sat on her bed and blew out a breath. She could feel a headache edging its way behind her eyes.
“So, which parties are we hitting this weekend?” Patrice asked.
