His shit-eating, sinister smile dims for only a moment, and then he’s nodding, brushing past like he didn’t just fucking threaten me.
Team bonding right?
It’s going to be a long two years at Prescott, and it’s only just beginning.
CHAPTER 4
Rory
I’ve never needed this fruity drink in my life more than I do right now. That sounds a tad dramatic, but it’s painfully true and honestly, after the week I’ve had, Ideserveall the alcohol I just watched my best friend pour into this red plastic cup.
“Mmm, sugar,” I moan noisily after swallowing down another long gulp. “Calories. Carbs.Vodka.Do you realize how happy I am right now, Fitz? I would kiss you right now if the thought of that didn’t make me want to barf.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “See, aren’t you glad you came out with us tonight?”
I nod. Although Fitz doesn’t know that therealreason I’m here tonight is because the guy from my pharmacology class that I’ve been secretly pining over since last semester asked me to come.
Which is kind of a big deal for me. Well, actually it’s a huge deal.
But it’s not like a date or anything… I mean he didn’tsaythat it was a date, but I really kinda hope that it is?
The invitation was unclear though, and because I’mme, I spentthe entire day obsessing over it because I am painfully, horribly, tragically awkward when it comes to the opposite sex. Unless it’s the guys from the team, and that’s only because at this point, they’re like brothers to me. That makes it easy for me to talk to them without getting flustered or having to second-guess myself entirely.
I have absolutely zero desire to flirt or date any of my rugby guys.
Gross.
It’s just when it comes to a guy that I think is cute or I’m slightly interested in, I immediately get in my head, and word vomit, saying all the wrong things and making a complete fool out of myself. At least that’s been the case the few times I’ve attempted to flirt.
“You know that if I didn’t drag you here, you’d be at home right now, working on a cross-stitch and watching reruns ofTrue Bloodlike you’re eighty,” Fitz adds, his azure eyes dancing with a mixture of amusement and arrogance because he knows that he’s right.
Scoffing, I reach out and push his shoulder. “Okay? And you say that like it’s a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with my old-lady hobbies. They’re…relaxing. Calming. You should try it some time.”
He’s right though. I’m absolutely a homebody and would prefer to be on my couch rotting at all times. This is my first time venturing out to a party that wasn’t thrown in the backyard of one of the guys from the team. Where I’m comfortable and completely at ease.
This… this is an entirely different ball game. Or match if we’re making rugby references.
“Yeah, I bet. My mom asked me last week when you were going to stitch my name on a sweatshirt for me.”
Wait.
That’s a brilliant idea and I have no idea why I haven’t thought of it before now.
My eyes widen, and Fitz groans, dragging a hand down his face. “I shouldn’t have told you that, should I?”
“Nope. Tell Mama Fitz I said thank you very much. And if you don’t wear the sweatshirt I make you, I am going to be so offended and will absolutely be revoking your best friend card,” I say before taking another long sip of my drink until there’s only a teeny, tiny bit left at the bottom of the cup.
Would I prefer to be home, wearing my comfy pajamas, working on my cross-stitch, and binge-watching TV while I eat a pint of my favorite ice cream? Yes.
But I made a promise to myself that I would get out and experience what’s left of my college career. Make new friends. Go to parties. Sleep with hot guys and sow every wild oat imaginable. No regrets.
Well, that would require me being able tospeakto them first, but still. One step at a time.
I just don’t want to look back on my life ten, fifteen, twenty years down the road and say, “I wish I would have…” I want to experience everything that college life has to offer.
I’m halfway through junior year, and I’ve lived in my new apartment for over a month and still have done none of those things, which is the real reason why I came here tonight: to meet a guy who makes my palms clammy and my heart race. Not normal Rory behavior.
I’ve spent the majority of my life taking care of not only myself but my dad too. It’s not that he asked, or expected that from me, it’s just kind of what happens when you’re raised by a single father who’s growing up alongside you. When I started at Prescott University almost three years ago, I thought I’d move into a dormor an apartment and get the full college experience, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t leave him.
