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He chuckled. “I’ll see y’all tomorrow. I’m going to sleep. That girl has worn down my spirit and that takes a lot.”
***
I spent the night wrapped in Maverick’s arms. His heavy breathing in my ear lulled me to sleep shortly after I climbed in beside him. It was hard to believe his mother prostituted around town, and how it must humiliate them. Even though my parents were strict, I imagined it was better than having one that didn’t care at all.
The next morning I woke up late after such a long night, but made it to class just in time. My nerves bounced around as the day drew on because it was time for the fraternity mixer. Supposedly, it was a formal dinner held at the conference room and then a huge party at the fraternity house afterward.
To say I didn’t want to go was an understatement.
I made it to the parking lot after my shift at the writing center when India’s platform shoes pounded on the concrete and drew my attention. She wore a pleated skirt with sky-high platforms and a bright red crop top.
“I’m so glad I caught you,” she said leaning against my car. “How did it go?”
I laughed and leaned beside her. “It waseventful. Waverly showed up at the apartment with Jordan, so we ended up going to a field, where things got heated but a cop pulled up and ruined our fun.”
India’s mouth popped open. “Noeffingway,” she laughed. “There is a first time for everything, I guess. Look at you. First, you buy sexy panties and now you’re breaking the law. Naughty girl.”
“Funny,” I laughed.
India hopped onto the hood and glared at me. “You know Waverly is just using Jordan to get to Maverick? Sheismy roommate, unfortunately. I hate her enough for the both of us. She snores, she’s full of herself and if I have to hear her complain about anything again, I might beat her to death with these very shoes.”
I chuckled and grabbed my door handle. “Now who’s dreaming of breaking the law?”
India hopped down. “Oh, we all know I’d be the one to off someone before you. You coming to the party tonight?” she asked, adjusting her top.
“Yeah, I’m going to go get ready now. I have to go to dinner first, Maverick asked me, and maybe we can meet there?”
“Yep. I’ll see you there, Lil Criminal.”
I glared at myself in the mirror once I got home and tried to make myself presentable. Most days I wore cut-off jeans and a T-shirt.Today I look …
“You look beautiful,” Maverick startled me.
I spun around, and my ponytail of curls flew against my face, sticking to my nude lipstick. “Yuck,” I said, pulling it away. “Now I know why I don’t wear makeup.”
The dress I wore was the one I’d worn underneath my gown at high school graduation. The lacey sleeves stopped above my elbows, and the waist sat right in the dip of my own. The hem hit mid-thigh, which was shorter than I was comfortable with but it was all I had.
My nude heels weren’t sky-high but high enough to make me feel feminine. Maverick wore navy blue slacks, with a button-down shirt that molded to him nicely through the shoulders and chest. “You look nervous?” he said.
I huffed. “I am. I’ve never been to one of these things.”
He smiled and offered me his hand. “Well, you’re in luck, because neither have I. Come on.”
We drove to the conference hall, and nerves fluttered in my belly. A few freshmen stood out front directing people to the dining hall. Maverick interlaced our fingers and guided me. The room was an open layout with a stage in the back, round tables scattered around with purple and gold tablecloths and bright bouquets.
“Fancy,” I mumbled to no one.
Maverick brought me around to an empty chair and I quickly sat down, feeling more relaxed to be out of the spotlight.
“It wasn’t Waverly,” Maverick whispered.
I glanced up at him. “That called the police?”
He nodded, tapping his fingers against the table in an annoyed way. “Jordan said she pleaded with him for forty minutes before she finally left. Whoever called, did not long after we arrived. It could have been no one, but if it was, that leaves King. I’m going to confront him at the party tonight.”
“Don’t,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Who cares about him? He’s into some crazy stuff and I don’t want him to do something drastic like frame you or get you kicked off the team. I’m with you, it doesn’t matter what King thinks. He’ll eventually get over it.”
Maverick’s jaw dusted in dark hair clenched. I wanted to reassure him. King would get over it eventually, wouldn’t he? Talk about a manipulator. King came off so nice at first, and now these drugs and fighting. I couldn’t imagine I was that blind to have not noticed those signs.
