“I don’t trust her,” Haven said when we were alone.
A perfectly good night had turned sour. I was beginning to believe that I should give up women for the time being. Too much drama.
But as I studied Haven, I thought, No fucking way.I had a feeling she was well worth any drama, including that caused by her old man.
22
Haven
The ballroom at the Marriott was filling up with the contestants participating in the fundraiser. Some were hanging around the bar that was set up adjacent to the door.
“Do you want a drink?” Vicki asked.
She wasn’t a contestant, but I’d asked her to tag along. We’d thought we could hit a club for a couple of hours after the meeting. We had class the next day, so we weren’t planning on staying out late.
“Just water. I’ll grab us seats.”
She went to the bar while I headed over to the rows of chairs that were facing the podium. A maintenance employee was setting up the mic while men and women lingered around.
I counted twenty-five people, but I didn’t see Ryker or Lucas.
Erik swaggered over to me, holding a beer bottle. His brown eyes were filled with mischief and mayhem. “Hey, pretty lady. I see Ryker convinced you.”
I snickered. “He did no such thing.”
“He likes you.”
“He likes all women.”
Erik held back a grin. “True, but you’ve put a smile back on his ugly mug, and that means something.”
I slapped a hand over my heart. “I’m touched.”
He stuck out his bottom lip. “You don’t believe me.”
Vicki interrupted us, handing me a bottled water. “What did I miss?”
Erik casually checked her out. “Have we met?”
Blushing darker than her rosy makeup, she swept a lock of hair behind her ear. “Vicki Moore.”
I considered leaving them alone, but I didn’t see anyone I knew, and Ryker wasn’t present.
Erik pecked the back of Vicki’s hand. “Care to get a drink later?”
Vicki looked to me for an answer.
“We can go clubbing another time.”
“Dancing?” Erik perked up. “I like to dance.”
Vicki and I exchanged a shocked expression. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the big and burly football player twirling and swaying his hips on a dance floor.
The two began to talk about dancing and clubs around the campus. I tuned them out as I watched the door for Ryker. Yeah, I was dying to see him. Our sexual escapade was burned in my brain, and so was his dirty talk, which had had me twisted up for days.
As I faintly heard Vicki and Erik, my mind went on a road trip like it had time and again during the last week. I hadn’t been able to concentrate. I’d barely listened to my instructors, and I’d struggled to do homework. When it came to sleep, I’d tossed and turned and kicked off the sheets. I felt like I was having withdrawals, like a drug addict not getting her next fix.
As I chewed on a nail, heat pinched my cheeks in anticipation of seeing Ryker. I wondered if he would talk to me or even acknowledge me.Or maybe he’ll be his asshat self.
