Chantal did call, and we are going out. I’m looking forward to it because I never go anywhere. Plus, she’s helping me with football jargon, and I owe her some drinks. “You’re welcome to come,” I offer, wondering how anyone can tell a girl like her no. I’ve been a fan of Mila Kunis since Bad Moms.
She squeals and gives me another hug, this one tighter as she whispers in my ear. “He’s deliciously sweet underneath that cockiness, isn’t he?” She winks as we pull apart.
I start. Something is up with her reasons for being in this competition, because it can’t be for Dillon, can it?
“I have an idea,” Bambi says as she crooks her arm in mine. “Chantal said your girls’ night is at Cadillac’s tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.” I get a sinking feeling.
“Why don’t we all meet you there? It will be fun. All of us together.” Her gaze sweeps over the group. “We’ll play pool for a prize,” Bambi adds, a gleam in her eyes. “And Serena will compete—”
“She’s not in the contest,” Ashley interrupts. “She doesn’t even go to the formal. She’s not an active Theta, didn’t hold a real office—”
“Oh, please,” Bambi says. “She’s a Theta and I want to get to know her.”
“I second all of that,” Sawyer adds.
Ashley fumes, her face flushing. “Dillon, this isn’t fair.”
“It’s fair,” he replies to Ashley, still holding my eyes with an intensity that makes me quake. “But I don’t think Serena likes the contest.”
“Then she shouldn’t play,” Ashley declares.
“Scared I’ll win?” I chirp, glancing at her.
She sniffs. “No.”
I turn to Dillon and he’s moved closer to me. Let’s ditch them and get out of here, his eyes seem to say.
I fidget. Need to get out of here before I take him up on that offer.
“Please, Serena. You don’t have to be part of the contest per se, but I insist you at least hang out with us. Are you any good at pool?” Bambi says, sending me a pleading look.
“There’s a cue stick,” I say vaguely.
“There, Ashley, does that make you happy? She won’t win.” Bambi smiles at her.
Ashley shrugs, her eyes hard, but she puts a smile on as she grudgingly says, “Whatever. If you want her to play, fine with me.”
“Just this once, Serena?” Bambi implores. “Come on, say yes.”
Sawyer cocks an eyebrow at me. “You in for some fun?”
My eyes are firmly not looking at Dillon. Do I want to hang out with Ashley while she competes for Dillon’s attention? Hell no. But this was my night out, and nothing is keeping me from it. “I’ll be at Cadillac’s tomorrow.”
I rush out a goodbye and flip around.
“Serena, let me walk you—” comes from Dillon as he attempts to follow me, but I cut him off with a hand over my back. As long as he has an entourage, I just can’t go there. Yeah, I’ll play pool with them, but…
“Later,” I say, my feet moving fast until I’m at a jog and out the door.
13
“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails plays from the speakers in the den, the song drifting into my room as I rifle through my closet for something to wear to Cadillac’s. Nope, not the button-up shirt (dressy and screams trying too hard), and no, not anything loose (I need to show off my assets), and not the Henley (it’s too damn hot). Yeah! I snag a faded navy Tigers shirt with the orange paw on the pocket. It’s an oldie, all the way back to my sophomore days, and it’s snug, but not too snug. Passed a killer psychology test and won a wet T-shirt contest with it last year.
“You gonna stare into your closet all night, bro?” It’s Sawyer from the door. “Ah, the lucky shirt.”
“Don’t need luck,” I lie as I slip the shirt on and tuck it loosely into my jeans. The orange Converse are next. The truth is, she brushed me off—after getting off. A long sigh comes from me. So, yeah, I want another chance. I did avoid her after I took her car to her. She cut her nana off while she was inviting us, and I get it, I do. We just showed up out of the blue, and Serena is what I call a “runner”. Because of Vane, she’s built a fortress around herself. Yeah, I asked for the kiss as payment for her car, but got nervous about it later and wondered if I put her in the uncomfortable position of agreeing.
When she’s around, my usual charm is just poof, gone. I’ve never been this unsure over a girl. I don’t need more anxiety. I mean, freshman year, I imagined the day I’d find her, but now that it’s here… What if I fuck this up? What if I’ve built up this idea of her and she’s just going to mess with my head?
Sure, she remembers me at the bonfire, but she was in love with another man.
I adored him. Those were her words. I frown.
“Just nail her. I’m sick of your moping.”
My brow furrows as I give him a sharp look. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
His voice is surprised. “So it’s like that. I apologize. You’re gonna be cuddling up and watching Netflix in no time.”
“This coming from the guy who teared up at A Star is Born, The Big Sick, and Crazy Rich Asians, which is a comedy.” My words are grouchy. I’m thinking about Vane and Serena together as a couple. My hands clench. I’m assuming she went home with Vane the night of the bonfire—was in his arms. I push those images out of my head.
“I had a cold. It was a sniffle, and you swore you’d never tell anyone that.” He tucks his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “First of all, A Star is Born has been made four times. It’s iconic, and if a person doesn’t cry when watching it,
