Logan scoffs, popping a chip in his mouth. “You change them every fucking day, if the number of girls sneaking out of your room is anything to go by.”
Austin chuckles, nudging him. “You’re one to talk. I saw a girl sneak out of your room last week.” His eyes narrow. “She ate my cereal, by the way.”
Logan raises a brow, unimpressed. “Oh, the travesty.”
“Dude, it was Cap’n Crunch. The limited edition,” Austin blurts. “It’s my favorite one!”
“You’ll live,” Logan teases with a wink.
I shake my head, glancing around the party, my eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of curly brown hair. I haven’t seen her since that day in her dorm, but I did invite her to the party, and I wonder if she’s going to come.
I shake my head, reaching for another drink, and stop cold.
My eyes lock on Isabella chatting with her friend, tilting her head back as she lets out a laugh, which makes my lips tip up into a smirk as my eyes graze over her body.
Even in agarbage bag, she looks hot as fuck.
She glances to her side, and her laugh fades the second our eyes meet, her lips twisting into a slow, knowing smile. She leans toward her friend, murmuring something. Aurora flicks her gaze to me, then back to Isabella with a grin, like she approves.
Of what? Couldn’t say. Don’t give a fuck.
Because Isabella starts walking toward me.
My grip tightens around my drink as her smile widens the closer she gets.
“Nice curtains.”
I huff out a chuckle, glancing down at the stupid-ass fabric still wrapped around me. “Nice trash bag.”
She sighs, smoothing a hand over the cheap plastic, cinched at the waist with a strip of duct tape. “So creative, I know.” A smirk tugs at her lips. “Didn’t know it was an ABC party until about two hours ago.”
I chuckle with a shake of my head. “If anyone could make trash look good, it’d be you, Curls.”
She clicks her tongue, shaking her head. “No curls today.”
Her hair—which is usually curly and wavy and lives in my fucking dreams, apparently—hangs sleek and straight, brushing against her waist. “I can see that.” My fingers reach out before I even think, rubbing a strand between them. Smooth. Silky. Different. My lips curl into a smirk. “Kinda miss them.”
The space between us shrinks. I catch the faint scent of vanilla and something else just as sweet. We’re so fucking close that her brother would kill me if he saw us together right now.
What the hell am I doing?
I straighten, tension locking my shoulders just as a voice cuts in.
“Hey, Ryan.”
I glance down at the girl smiling up at me, her friend standing beside her.
I have no idea who they are. Still, I offer a polite smile. “Hi.”
“Congrats on the game.” She places a hand on my arm, fingers trailing just enough to make her intentions clear. Her friend watches, sipping her drink.
My gaze shifts—straight to Isabella.
She hasn’t moved. Hasn’t looked away. Just stands there, watching, taking a slow sip of her drink. If she has any thoughts about what’s happening, she doesn’t show it.
I glance back at the girls, shooting them a smile. “Thanks.” My mom drilled manners into me. There’s no need to be an asshole just because I’m not interested.
But right now, Ireallyneed them to leave.
