Page 9 of The Fake
“You’re gorgeous. In my experience, that’s all it really takes for other chicks to be jealous.”
“That’s not it,” I say more adamantly. He cocks a brow like he doesn’t believe me. “I got kicked out of my last school for fraud or bribery. Honestly, I’m not sure what the official ruling was.”
I cannot believe I just told him that. Maybe he already knew. That douchebag who tried to hit on me earlier with some sugar momma pick up line certainly did. Nathan’s face gives nothing away. He doesn’t speak so I keep going.
“I didn’t know. Not that it seems to matter to anyone, but I had no idea it’s how I got into college. Anyway, I’m pretty sure that’s why Bri hates me. She thinks I don’t deserve to be here or maybe she just doesn’t like having someone with a scarlet letter on her precious team.”
I slam my lips shut to keep from blubbering on, but he’s looking at me so intently, I can’t not say more. “I’m sorry, I’ve totally ruined the moment.”
I go silent again and stare down at my hands, wishing I could sink right into the concrete.
“I might have heard something about that floating around earlier,” he says. Screw sinking into the concrete, I want to run far, far away. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” I ask, meeting his gaze and finding it sincere.
“Yeah, I know all about screwing up. It changes the way people treat you. Doesn’t matter your culpability or even the reasons behind what you did—they only see how it affects them.”
“Thank you.” Something like shock or relief washes over me at his understanding.
One side of his mouth pulls into an awkward smile, and he shrugs like it’s no big deal, but it means everything to me. Absolution, even from a near stranger, brings a little more of my old confidence to the surface.
“I bet you get along with your roommates.” I check his face to see if I’m right and he nods.
“Off-campus?”
Another nod.
“Okay, tell me something real about you since I just unloaded all my baggage.”
His body visibly tenses, and I’m afraid I’ve ruined the mood for good this time. We’re in this bubble, partially alcohol-induced, but I haven’t felt like this in a long time.
Finally, he smirks and lifts the flask. He’s run to get us fresh drinks twice, but we’re down to just the ridiculously strong liquor again. “I’m gonna need more booze soon.”
“I’m serious.” I shove at his shoulder playfully, but the contact makes me intensely aware of the heat of his skin and the hum coursing through my veins.
“I’mreallyhaving a good time. Been the best part of my day.” He sits up and brings his flask to his lips, tips it all the way up and then frowns. “Empty.”
Both of us fall silent as we stare in the direction of the party. We’re just out of view, but the noise has died down so my guess is it’s dying off. I had my picture taken with the team and walked around by myself for half an hour dodging reporters so I don’t feel the least bit guilty about disappearing. Plus, it feels amazing to be having good conversation. I’ve got that light feeling in my chest, and it’s not all thanks to the drinks.
“Well, I guess it’s time to call it a night.”
Neither of us moves and I scramble for ways to keep us here. I don’t want to go back to being ignored after being seen again.
“We could go back to my place. I don’t have any Everclear, but I’ve got a couple of bottles of wine stashed under my bed.” I can barely believe I’ve offered, but I really don’t want the night to end. There’s something about Nathan I can’t quite put my finger on. He seems to get me, and I’m not even sure I get myself these days.
“What about the evil roommate?”
“If she’s going to hate me before I do anything to deserve it, I might as well do what I want.”
“Let’s do it.”
* * *
We take our time walking back to my dorm, talking about nothing and everything. His fingers brush up against mine accidentally, and I cast a side glance in his direction. He tosses that sexy smile back at me and my stomach flutters.
His hair is the color of sand and sticks up around his head in an unkept but not homely way. If I were to describe Nathan’s style, I’d call it the I-don’t-care-about-my-appearance look. And he’s very much pulling it off.
The halls of Freddy are quiet, and I let out a sigh of relief when I open the door to my suite and find it empty. I didn’t have a plan for dealing with the roommates if they were up, but it looks like I’m in the clear. Both bedroom doors are closed and all the lights are off the best I can tell.
