Dakota laughs. “It’s true. She said maybe three full sentences until she saw me crying over The Notebook.”
“She was sobbing.”
“Those old people get me every time.”
They smile at one another and then Reagan adds, “We moved out as soon as we could last year.”
Even though Reagan and Dakota are two years older than me, we fall into an easy camaraderie. They tell me more about their time in the dorms together and they ask me about Ava and how my first week went.
When we finally fall silent, my cheeks hurt from smiling.
“I can see it,” Dakota says looking me over closely. “You’ve got the same eyes and smile.”
This makes Reagan look between us and when her brown eyes land on me, they narrow as she studies me. “Same eyes and smile as who?”
“Ginny is Adam’s sister.”
“Adam Scott?” she asks, eyes widening through thick, black lashes.
Man, it really pains me that even someone as beautiful as Reagan has this reaction about my brother. At least my high school friends hid their fascination with him better.
“That’s the one.” My phone buzzes in my front pocket and I pull it out. “That’s him, checking in. He’s a total pain in the ass.” I type back a response letting him know I’m next door.
“Everyone ready?” Dakota asks.
Reagan and I nod.
Dakota leads the way. “Let’s do this.”
Hanging out with Dakota and Reagan is fun. They know everyone, and after the initial shock of finding out I was Adam’s little sister, they haven’t made me feel like the other Scott.
Speaking of the popular Scott, when I finally spot him, he’s in the corner with his arm wrapped around a girl I haven’t met. He leans down and whispers in her ear and she giggles and tips her mouth up to let him kiss her. Gross. Seeing my brother in action—really not cool.
“What do women see in him?” I huff. “I mean, honestly?” I turn to Reagan and Dakota.
“Dude, your brother’s hot.” Dakota shrugs. “Sorry.”
I scrunch up my face and walk toward him. He comes up for air when I clear my throat.
“Ginny.” He pulls the girl tighter to his side and then nods to Dakota and Reagan. “I see you two met my sister.”
“Yeah, she’s way cooler than you. What happened?” Dakota deadpans.
“Tough crowd.” Adam tilts his head to the girl still clinging to him. “Guys, this is Taryn.”
“Hey.” Her red lips pull up into a big smile. “Your brother’s told me so much about you.”
“Oh really?” I ask, surprised since he’s never mentioned her, but I smile because I’m not an asshole, and it isn’t her problem my brother jumps from girl to girl. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.” I give Reagan and Dakota a save me look, which they interpret quickly and make excuses for us.
“How does he already have a new girlfriend?”
Neither of them answers, not that I expected them to.
“It’s the hot thing,” Dakota says. “And the hockey thing.”
“We should hang out tomorrow,” Reagan offers.
“Are you coming to the pool party?” Dakota asks.
“What pool party?”
“Oh yeah, you should definitely come.” Reagan smiles. I freaking love her dimples. “It’s at The White House. It’s a big, back to school party they have every year. Everyone will be there.”
“I’m in.” And just like that, I’m pretty sure I’ve made two new friends here.
7
Ginny
The next morning, I’m sitting outside on the deck FaceTiming with Reagan and Dakota recapping last night. I had so much fun and I’m excited to hang out with them again today.
Adam comes out, shirtless, hair matted from sleep, and a giant bottle of Gatorade in hand. “’Morning.”
“Hey.”
He takes a seat next to me with a big, tired sigh and glances to the phone in my hand with a smile. Which reminds me…
“Reagan, what happened with that guy last night?”
“Oh, nothing.” She bites at the corner of her lip, making one dimple dot her cheek. “It was stupid. He’s dating someone else. I didn’t realize until last night. Moving on.”
“How is that possible? You’re gorgeous. Did you tell him you were into him?”
She shakes her head.
I angle the phone so she can see Adam. “Would you tell her that she needs to tell this guy so he can break up with his girlfriend to date her?”
He chuckles and Reagan’s eyes go wide. “Oh my god, Ginny. Adam, you absolutely do not need to—”
“She’s right.” He nods and smiles at my new friend. “Guy must be crazy.”
“See. Told you.”
She covers her face with her hands like she’s embarrassed.
“I’m going to hang with Adam for a bit.”
“Hurry up and get over here,” Dakota says, popping her head in front of the screen for a second.
“I’ll be over soon,” I promise.
“Looks like you made some friends,” Adam says as I hang up the phone.
“I did. Thanks for letting me crash in your room last night.”
“No problem. The couch wasn’t too bad.”
“That might have had something to do with the girl that was on it with you.”
“Probably so,” he agrees. “Do you girls want to ride over to the party together?”
“Sure, sounds good.” I stand and stretch. “See you later.”
I knock at Dakota and Reagan’s and then open the door. “Hello?”
“In my room,” Reagan calls.
Dakota sits on the bed and Reagan tosses two giant handfuls of swimsuits onto the comforter.
“I pulled all my suits for you to choose from,” Reagan says.
I didn’t bring a bathing suit from the dorm, so I’m thankful she’s letting me borrow one but holy crap. “That is a lot of options.”
She nods happily.
I shower and pull my hair into a braid. I go for a low-cut pink one-piece suit and my own cut-off shorts and sandals.
I’m waiting on Dakota and Reagan’s couch while they finish getting ready when I get a text.
Hottest guy on campus: Did you leave without saying goodbye? <sad face>
Me: Who is this and how did you get this number?
Hottest guy on campus: Name is self-explanatory.
It is self-explanatory, sadly. I met dozens of
