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“And,” she cut in, “you’re going around campus with that professor thinking you’re hot shit because you’re a graduate student.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say right now.” I walked toward the door, opening it wide. “Come on. You need to go to bed, Nicole.”
“I’m not done,” she said, her words slurred. “You used to run this campus, but your time is over. And you know what?”
“What, Nicole?”
“I think you’re boring. I don’t understand what Christian sees in you. You know what he told me?”
I briefly wondered why he’d tell her anything, but I crossed my arms and waited for her reply.
“He said he’s marrying you because your dad is giving him a seat on his board. He acts like you’re the ultimate prize.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Like you care.”
“Why would I care that a man views me as nothing more than a shiny trophy?”
“See? You’re so stupid. Any girl would just die to be with Christian Brockford. And you—you have him, and you don’t do anything with him. And he still wants you.”
“Nicole,” I said levelly, losing my patience, “there is so much more to life than being in a relationship.”
“I’ve been hooking up with him all semester,” she sang in a sickly sweet, sing-song voice.
I raised my brows. Well, that was news. But she was absolutely hammered still and swaying as she made her way toward me.
“I slept with him last night. He came here looking for you and found me instead.”
“Congratulations,” I said with force.
“Is that all you have to say?” She stopped a few feet in front of me, her eyes unfocused as she tried to fix me with a smug, triumphant grin.
I smiled, then laughed, feeling suddenly delirious with relief. Nicole blinked, shying away from me.
“What’s so funny?”
“You just saved me a lot of trouble, Nicole.” I could have kissed her, honestly.
“But I—He cheated on you with me! I’m your little!” She looked flustered and confused as she peered at me. “I was only friends with you to try to stand out to him!”
“Do you want me to mad at you, or something?” I asked with level calm, taking a step toward her. She took a step back, swaying a bit. “I’m mad at you, all right? Mad that you would use our friendship to try to get leverage with a guy like Christian. Nicole, he’s the scum of the earth. And yeah, I was only dating him because my parents made me stay with him long, long after I was ready to end it. I don’t give a shit, Nicole. You can have him. Now, get out.” I swept my arm toward the door. “Now.”
Nicole’s eyes went wide. “But—”
“But what? You thought you’d cause a big scene by coming here and admitting to having an affair with him? You thought I’d be mad, furious, actually, and run to Christian heartbroken while you looked like the victor? Oh, Nicole.” I took a deep breath, shaking my head. “You’re going to really enjoy everything that comes with being a rich housewife one day. Thank you, honestly, for taking this burden off my shoulders.”
I took her by the arm and guided her out of my room. Her eyes were wide with shock, and she gaped like a fish.
“Are you going to go talk to him?”
“I am.”
“But you can’t break up with him, Whitney! Being dumped by you is like—like social suicide.”
“Oh,” I breathed, smiling a bit as I met her eyes in the hallway. “I understand now. You told me the truth because you threatened Christian with it, didn’t you? You thought I’d go running to him, begging him to stay, and he’d choose you? Right?”
She paled.
“Ah, okay. No, Nicole. Christian and I have been over for a long, long time; he just won’t accept it. I don’t want him. But if you’re hoping I’ll grovel at his feet to spare his gleaming reputation and make it easier for you to get whatever you’re wanting from him—” I smiled wickedly. “No, I won’t.”
I backed into my room and shut the door, turning the lock. With a sigh, I sat down on the edge of my bed and looked around.
