Page 38 of Player
"You're on the verge of giving in, Alabama," he observes.
I think about what he just said. Am I about to admit that I'm falling for him? No! I'm just a little confused, that's all!
"You're confusing desire with distress," I retort. "I'm shaken up by what happened to me."
Player studies me for a moment with a skeptical look.
"Couldn't we consider a truce?" I suggest.
I'm the first one surprised by the words that just left my lips, but it's too late to take them back.
Suddenly, Player moves away from me, breaking the tension that’s built between us, then he stands up and walks tohis door. He opens it before turning back to me. His face is hard and his voice cutting as he says, "Consoling sniveling little girls isn't something I enjoy doing."
My desire instantly vanishes, replaced by anger and humiliation. I stand up and clench my fists while he continues, "There will never be a truce between us, Alabama, and if you ever get close to me, it will be an admission of your defeat."
"Come on, girl! Lighten up a bit!"
I glance sideways at Saphya. She's the one who convinced me to go out tonight, yet again. Pia isn't with us because she had to work on her art project. I don't understand why she's so stressed about a subject that should only bring her joy, but when a passion becomes an obligation, pleasure takes a hit.
"Hey! Are you with me, Dixie?"
I turn my attention back to my new friend.
"Are you sure this party is even allowed?" I ask her.
She managed to drag me to the other side of campus, to the Delta Tau Omega fraternity house. The frat is known for its wild parties, and I'm expecting the worst.
Saphya shrugs. "It's not at our place, so if there are problems, they won't be ours."
I make a skeptical mumble that she doesn't pay any attention to. Saphya grabs my arm and we cross the path leading to the porch of the large building. There are a few fraternities and sororities at OMU that are very well-known and whose creation dates back to about the same time as the campus itself.
"It's a tradition for the Delta Tau," my friend informs me. "Wehaveto attend the first party of the year!"
"Far be it from me to question your senseof duty, but..."
Saphya stops abruptly and turns to me, placing her index finger on my lips. "Dixie, less thinking and more action!"
I frown, and when her hand drops, I mutter, "Are you trying to be Maverick now?"
Saphya gives me a stern look. "Do you really think he’d sit there playing wingman all night? Or would he get in there and engage?"
I shake my head to indicate I don't know.
"Well, I'm certain he'd enjoy a moment with his friends."
"But do you actually know these Delta Tau guys?"
My roommate waves her hand as if to indicate that's just a minor detail. Our considerations are interrupted by the arrival of a group of already lit students singing at the top of their lungs, and Saphya takes the opportunity to follow them.
I follow her, without much motivation. The short night I had hasn't allowed me to recover, I didn’t get anywhere near as much of my paper written as I wanted, and I'm only dreaming of the moment when I can dive into my bed.
Oh crap!
It's one of Keri's nights to ‘have fun’, which means she'll definitely bring someone back, and therefore, I'm not likely to get any sleep. This prospect discourages me in advance.
I think longingly of Player's empty bed, if only he would let me use it. But he's so stubborn that there's no chance he'll let me. It's with a resigned sigh that I enter the three story clapboard house, where the party is in full swing.
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