I gave Sanders a pointed look, and Pacey’s smile appeared. “Wasn’t exactly talking about him,” he said and grinned as I gave him a look.
“You, then?” I asked.
“Maybe. I like being the mysterious British one, though, so you’re going to have to ask later. Now, let’s introduce you to everyone. We know most of these people, even if it’s just in passing from school. This is the best way for you to learn who to avoid, who to rub up against—figuratively and literally—and who is who amongst our social set.”
“I feel like I should be taking notes,” I said dryly.
“It wouldn’t hurt. Sasha, darling, come over here,” he said as a woman with dark brown skin, bright red-and-purple hair, and tight leather pants came towards us. She looked like a goddess, and I nearly fell to my knees. She kissed Pacey hard on the mouth and grinned. “Hello there, Pacey,” she said, her accent upper-crust British, the same as Pacey’s. “I was afraid you would never say hello to me.” She looked at me, her brown eyes piercing. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Dillon, one of my roommates. He’s starting his first semester at DSU.”
Her gaze studied mine before she lowered them to the rest of my body and backed up. I had a feeling I had just been observed and categorized in every way possible. “You don’t look like some eighteen-year-old little boy finding his way.”
I coughed. “No, not even a little.” If she only knew.
“That’s good. Pity I’m in a serious relationship with that guy over there,” she said, pointing to a large muscular man with dark skin and kind eyes. “That’s Jason. We’ve been together for a year now. If you see him around and you’re lost, he’ll be able to tell you where to go. I swear he doesn’t even need a compass, and he can find his way out of any situation, even on a mountaintop. It’s a little annoying, though I’m grateful because I have gotten lost inside my own home before,” she said and laughed.
My lips twitched, and I shook my head. “Good to know.”
“So, are you looking for something fun tonight? Or just here to get to know everyone?” she asked.
“Our Sasha here is a little blunt. That’s why we like her,” Pacey said at my confused look.
I nodded, relaxing. “That is good to know. And, honestly? Between work and school and my family, I don’t know if I have time for a relationship or anything that resembles one.”
Sasha’s eyes brightened, and she met Pacey’s gaze before Jason came over, and they all laughed.
“Those are the famous last words,” Jason said as he tilted his head.
I sighed. “Well, that’s reassuring.”
“I have the perfect person for you to meet,” Sasha said as she took my wrist and pulled me through the horde of people.
Sanders was off in the corner, sitting on a large chair that made him look as if he were on a throne. His girlfriend, Mackenzie, was perched on his lap, laughing at something he’d said, while they held court amid those around them. I actually like Sanders’ girlfriend. She was brilliant, very type-A, and knew exactly what she wanted. And I liked Sanders when he wasn’t so sarcastic, where I didn’t know if he was being mean or not.
I heard Miles’ low laugh from another corner and risked a glance over at him and the girl with glasses as they leaned into each other, talking about something I probably didn’t want to know about.
Tanner and his duo were long gone, and I had a feeling they were upstairs enjoying the end of the tour.
Pacey was back with Jason, while random groups of people came up to talk to them. Pacey was that magnetic, and it made sense to me that people gravitated towards him. They all wanted a piece of him. And, frankly, I liked being around him, too. He made me feel like I wasn’t some lost kid still trying to find his way.
“Mandy, come over here,” Sasha said, holding up her hand.
I gave Sasha a look. “You know I was letting you lead me around by the wrist. Not the balls,” I muttered. “I don’t need you to hook me up with anyone.”
Sasha just laughed at my comment, though thankfully didn’t take it to heart. “Oh, shush. You’re allowed to have fun. You’re young, free, and probably have a thousand things you’re worried about. Getting laid shouldn’t be one of them.”
A girl with long hair, bright gray eyes, and swollen lips came over to us. She looked fucking sexy.
“Mandy, this is Dillon. Dillon, this is Mandy. I don’t know Dillon’s major, darling, but he’s new here. It would be great if you could show him around.”
Mandy grinned and studied my face. “Well then, Dillon, if you have Sasha’s approval, I’d love to show you around campus. Or wherever,” she said, a little giggle added onto the end.
I cleared my throat. “It’s, uh, nice to meet you. Although I only met Sasha about thirty seconds ago.” I turned, and Sasha was gone, presumably off to where Jason and Pacey were. I shook my head as Mandy laughed outright.
“That sounds like Sasha. She’ll throw you to the wolves. But I promise, I don’t bite. Too hard. Unless you ask.”
I shook my head, a smile playing on my lips. “I thought that was a line I was supposed to give.”
Mandy just shrugged. “Maybe. But I like to be in control. Got a problem with that?”
“Depends on what you’re talking about, Mandy.”
“You know what? I think I like you. Let me show you around. Maybe introduce you to a few of my friends.”
She waved to a group of girls, who all gave me the once-over and gestured for me to come towards them. I looked around my new home, my friends scattered about with their couples, and I figured…why the hell not? I had responsibilities later, and I would deal with them.
But for
