Page 16 of Savage Don

“You know it was, girl,” Janice says, suddenly serious. “That Dean Winchester can toss my salad anytime.”

“I think he’s more of a meat guy.”

“Then, he can take a bite of me whenever he’d like.”

“You are so thirsty,” I laugh, rolling my eyes.

“Hey, it’s been a while since your girl got laid. Mikey and I had still technically been together over the past two months, even if we hadn’t… you know, seen each other. And this ho don’t cheat.”

“You just broke up?” I ask, raising my eyebrow at her.

A sigh escapes my friend’s pouty lips. “That’s what he was calling about. Apparently, he met someone else.”

“I always knew he was an asshole,” I grumble.

“I thought you liked him?”

“I did,” I shrug. “You two were cute together. But now that he broke up with you? That officially makes him an asshole in my books.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet,” Janice lilts, her country twang coming out. “Let’s go find some new boys. There’s got to be two dozen parties happening within a three-mile radius of here.”

Janice wraps herself around my arm and snuggles against my shoulder. But her warmth doesn’t relax me.

A party.

I’ve been at this school for three semesters already, and not once have I been to a party. Hell, I’ve never even really made a connection here to anyone outside of Janice.

When I decided to bribe the dean of admissions and start sneaking out to school, it was for one reason and one reason only. Academics.

I wanted to rebel against my corrupt and criminal family.

They already partied enough. I wasn’t risking my neck to get crunk. This is all so that I can carve out my own path. A safety net for if I ever gather the courage to sever ties with my suffocating bloodline and make out on my own.

If I can ever do that, then I’ll at least have a degree, even if it is one I bought my way into with crooked money. No matter what, I’ll graduate the proper way.

But partying won’t get me there. Partying is a useless waste of time.

… Or maybe you’re just scared of getting close to anyone else. Maybe you’re just scared of losing your v-card!

“I think I’d better get going home,” I mumble, pulling away from Janice.

I’m suddenly uncomfortable. Especially after being called out like that by my own subconscious. It’s not wrong. I am scared. I’ve seen how the boys act around here; how they talk about their conquests. No matter how horny I might be, I don’t want to become one of the notches on their nasty belts.

“Oh, you’re such a bore,” Janice teases, wrapping herself around my arm again. “Have we ever been to a party together?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not my thing.” That’s the truth. But it’s not the whole truth. Even if I have been curious about the party scene here, I’ve never had the time. It’s always been too risky for me to go anywhere after class except directly home.

But now, I’ve got two free hours, and my excuses are waning.

“Liar,” Janice laughs. “I can see a wild party animal in those beautiful eyes, babe. You need to let loose. Look, from the sounds of it, you were probably going to fail that pop quiz anyway. So, you might as well have some fun here while you scrape by academically!”

“Hey! I have better grades than you!”

“That’s true. But I have a lot more fun. Come on, let me teach you how to let your hair down.”