“I have no idea how you can stand having so many people in your house,” Elise said, standing next to me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. I ignored the looks of some of the partygoers. This was our first time attending a party as a couple, and we were still trying to figure out what that meant. Others would talk, they would nose around, and I planned to ignore them. I just hoped Elise could.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t bother me all that much. Maybe it did at one point. But I pushed those thoughts from my mind. They can’t get into my room, so it’s not like I feel as if they’re in my space. It’s sort of like we’re at the bar. This is just where people hang out. I guess you get used to it after a while.”
She nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. You have your family brewery, and now you have a place where people come to drink and have a good time. It just happens to be right under your bedroom.”
“We can always leave. Either go back to your place or lock ourselves in my bedroom. Or maybe even go to a café or something if this is too much.”
She shrugged and took a sip of her beer. “No, this is good. I don’t mind. I mean, I did get to meet you here.”
“I thought you met me at the coffee shop.”
“No, I saw you from afar, and it started the whole dare thing.” She winked, and I fell even harder.
“I, for one, am glad for the dare.” It’s as much as I would go into actually voicing my feelings, and she seemed to get that.
“Is that Miles?” she asked, and I looked over to where she pointed and then nodded. “Yes. I think he’s dating that girl, Tiffany. Or at least they hang out a lot.”
“I don’t know her. I think I saw her with him last time, though.”
“Yes, they’re very competitive when it comes to school, though I don’t know if they’re actually dating or if they just use fighting as foreplay.” I froze and then shuddered. “Forget I said that. I don’t want to think about that ever again.”
Elise laughed. “No problem. I don’t want to think about that ever again either. Where are your other roommates?”
“Mackenzie and Sanders are in the kitchen. Mackenzie always helps make sure the food is all set out correctly. I don’t mind because that means I don’t have to do it, and she’s great at making lists and shit, so she gets it done. Pacey was helping them, but then Sanders got all possessive for some reason. Now, Pacey is off hanging out with his friend Sasha, and I think two of your roommates.” I pointed to a corner, and Elise’s eyes widened.
“I am ninety percent sure that both Nessa and Corinne either have a huge crush on Pacey or want to be his best friend. They all seem to get along really well.”
I looked over at the group in the corner and nodded. “I don’t know about the crushes, but they do seem to get along. And I’m pretty sure Pacey has known them for a while.”
“Corinne said that she’s known him for a bit. I don’t know if there are romantic feelings on her end or even his, but I will have to make sure that Nessa doesn’t get her heart broken.”
I looked down at her and frowned. “What do you mean?”
She winced and shook her head quickly. “I said too much. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”
I squeezed her shoulder. “Okay, but if you want to talk about it, I’m here. That could get complicated, I guess. Pacey isn’t looking for anything steady.”
Elise shook her head. “I’m not going to discuss it. I really shouldn’t have said anything at all.”
“You’re right. So, let’s talk about something else.”
“Let’s discuss how Tanner just showed up with a guy, and now he’s talking with a girl.”
That made me laugh. “I think the three of them are together, honestly. Or are at least together for parties. I don’t know, and I don’t ask. It’s none of my business. And even if I did ask, Tanner would probably just growl and not answer me.”
Elise snorted. “You’re right. He likely wouldn’t answer you.”
Someone cleared their throat beside us, and I looked over to see Mandy. I froze. I did not want to talk to my ex-girlfriend. Not that she was my ex-girlfriend as she hadn’t wanted that label, but labeling her as the girl I used to fuck because that’s all she wanted from me when I thought maybe I wanted something more didn’t make sense.
“Hey, Dillon. Fancy meeting you here,” she said. She looked over at Elise. “Hi, I’m Mandy. You look so familiar.”
Elise stiffened a bit, and I lowered my hand slightly so it rested on her hip, giving her a gentle squeeze. Mandy caught the movement, and she narrowed her eyes slightly before putting on her usual bright smile.
“Hi, I’m Elise. I think we’ve seen each other across campus a few times.”
“Must be. This is Jeff.”
The guy nodded. “Hey,” he grumbled.
“Hi,” I said, feeling
