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by Pavlov, Laura

  There was no tease in her voice, and he took the hint.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what his problem is. He’s never like that. I think he’s upset about Cara, but he shouldn’t have been so rude.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have practice with the band anyway. Thanks though. You definitely know how to celebrate,” I said.

  “Well, Sam’s leaving tomorrow if you want to, um, study or anything.”

  She didn’t want this to end either. I needed to be careful. Jade wouldn’t last a minute in my world, and I’d probably want to abandon mine if I spent even a day in hers. If she were mine, I fucking knew I’d never let her go. And there was no room in my life for that kind of attachment.

  “The little drill sergeant is already making me study for the next test?”

  “You can never start too early,” she said. A loud honk came from Sam’s car, and Jade gasped. “Oh my god.”

  “You better get going. Your male best friend is awfully needy. Text me tomorrow if you want to meet.”

  She smiled and turned to leave. Just before I got in the car, she called out, “Cruz.”

  I met her gaze. “Yeah?”

  “Good job. I’m proud of you.”

  As I pulled out on the road, I thought about her dancing in the water and I laughed. I looked in my rearview mirror and Sam was right behind me. He looked like he was talking a mile a minute to her. Probably trying to smooth over what a dick he was. The more I knew her, the more I liked her. But we didn’t fit. She knew it and I knew it. And I was pretty fucking sure Sam knew it too. He was your typical boy scout leader, while I was sneaking underage college kids into nightclubs.

  I couldn’t cross the line with this girl. She was the one person I actually didn’t want to disappoint. And the quickest way to get a chick out of your system—find another one. I was too infatuated with Jade. Nothing a quick hook up couldn’t fix. Tonight’s goal—bang a random chick and focus on less Jade.

  Chapter Seven

  Jade

  “Thanks for coming, even if you were a total ass at the beach,” I said as I walked Sam to his car.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t trust him. He sneaks you into bars and gets you a fake ID, what’s next, prison time?”

  “You’re such a hypocrite. Come on. He’s a normal college guy. I asked him to get me into one bar. He’s not pushing me to drink or taking me to the dark side. And nothing is going on between us anyway. I’m his tutor. We’re friends,” I said, but even as the words left my mouth, I knew I was lying. Something shifted yesterday, and I didn’t want it to end.

  “Trust me, he doesn’t think of you as a friend. It’s a dude thing. I can tell. I didn’t mean to mess things up for you though. You know his dad is some big time Hollywood dude. I think they have buildings named after them here. He’s a rich kid who’s used to getting what he wants.”

  “I don’t know much about his family, but it doesn’t matter. He’s a nice guy and we’re friends.”

  “I know. I need to mind my own business. I was pissed about Cara. I’m sorry for being an asshole.” Sam kissed my forehead and got in the car.

  I checked my phone. No texts from Cruz. We never said if we were for sure meeting today. And he didn’t know how late Sam would be here. I wanted to see him. I never texted guys first, so I was going out on a limb. But it was for tutoring, right?

  Me ~ Hey, do you still want to meet today?

  Cruz ~ Sure. You can come over now.

  Me ~ Okay. See you soon.

  Cruz lived about a mile from my dorm, and since I could cut through campus and take a few shortcuts, it was probably even closer. I pedaled up the walkway in front of his house and parked my bike. It was a chilly fall morning, and orange and yellow leaves decorated the oversized oak tree in Cruz’s front yard. I loved this time of year. I was so ready for all things pumpkin flavored. He wasn’t out on the front porch sneaking in a smoke, but it was still fairly early, so he was probably moving slow. I barely knocked on the door when it opened. My least favorite person stood on the other side.

  “Sexy Jade, good morning,” Dex said.

  His rust colored skinny jeans barely stayed up on his lean hips, and he wasn’t wearing a shirt. He bordered on too skinny and looked like he needed to detox and eat a balanced meal.

  Somebody needed to get this guy some cucumber juice and a shot of vitamin C.

  How would he hold up if they went on tour? He looked like he was burning the candle at both ends and they just performed locally right now.

  “Hey, is Cruz here?”

  “Yes, come in. He said to go on back. He’s in his room.”

  I walked through the living room and Dex put his hands on my shoulders from behind and massaged them. I shook him off and gave him my infamous death glare. Dad claimed it could freeze people in their tracks. I didn’t like how close he stood to me, or the fact that he thought he could touch me whenever he felt like it. He was in for a rude awakening if he tried that a second time.

  He laughed as I moved down the hall. I’d only been in Cruz’s room once, when the guys had people over last week, and we couldn’t work in the dining room. The door was closed now, which made me uncomfortable.

  I knocked lightly and it swung open. My jaw hit the floor. A girl with long blonde hair and a full face of makeup, stood there—naked.

  Stark. Freaking. Naked.

  She didn’t even flinch as she played with her hair over one shoulder. “Is there a reason you’re knocking on the door this early in the morning?”

  “Oh. Um, I was supposed to meet Cruz here. I’m so sorry,” I said.

  I scanned the room and met his gaze when he sat up in bed, looking completely disoriented and rubbing at his eyes.

  “What the fuck?” he said, and I couldn’t get out of there quick enough.

  I hurried down the hall toward the front door. Dex laughed from behind me and I didn’t stop to look at him. I pedaled back to the dorms as fast as I could, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why I was crying. I didn’t cry. Not very often at least, and not over ridiculous things. And never in public. Why did I care if Cruz Winslow had a girl in his bed? Of course, he slept around. This wasn’t a secret. And I didn’t care what he did. I was his tutor. For God’s sake, I met the kid with my roommate between his thighs. What did I expect? Dad always said that people show you who they are. We just need to believe them.

  Had I actually developed a crush on this kid? How the hell did that happen? Yes, he was beautiful, and smart, and I had fun with him. But we had zero in common. Example, exhibit A—naked girl in his room. Big red flag. He smoked and drank and lived a wild lifestyle that I didn’t relate to. I swiped at my cheek as I parked my bike in front of the dorm, feeling like a fool for wasting my tears on any guy. Especially Cruz Winslow. I hated that I walked in on him and his skanky girlfriend. She looked at me like I was the shit beneath her shoes. And his stupid roommate laughed as I fled the scene. Did Dex know someone was in there when he told me to go back? Most importantly, why in the world would Cruz tell me to come over when he was with someone? Just to be cruel? Maybe this was his sick idea of humor. Did he know I had a crush on him, and this was his way of letting me know nothing would ever happen? Either way, he was a douchebag. I wanted no part of it. In fact, I was done going to his house. If he wanted me to tutor him, he could meet me at the library. End of story. Maybe the naked skank could tutor him. She probably knew a thing or two about human anatomy.

  I slid my key in the door to enter the building and heard my name being called in the distance. Cruz Winslow was jogging my way. He donned navy sweatpants and a white T-shirt. Part of me wanted to flip him off and walk inside, which would be pretty juvenile. I had no valid reason for being this pissed off, other than him wasting my time and inviting me over for a free show. He didn’t know I actually liked hanging out with him. That was on me.
Stupid, pathetic me.

  “Hey, listen. I don’t know what just happened,” he said, sounding a little breathless. He shoved his hands in his pockets when he stopped in front of me.

  “Yeah, it’s fine.” I waved my hands in front of my face because I didn’t want to talk about it.

  “What were you doing there? I didn’t know we set a time to meet?” His sandy blond hair was a disheveled mess. I wanted to spit in my palm and press it down, because it looked like after-sex hair, and it pissed me off, as did his words. He was the one who told me to come over. Now he wanted to act like I was some desperate stalker.

  “Excuse me? You texted me to come over. This is on you.” I poked my finger hard in his chest. I didn’t know why I was doing it. My anger wasn’t justified. Sure, it was an embarrassing scene, but come on, Jade, pull yourself together.

  He shook his head and stared at me with his stupid honey-colored gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  I rolled my eyes and pulled my phone from my back pocket and shoved it in his face. “Does this not look familiar to you?”

  He looked genuinely confused. “I didn’t write this. I don’t even have my phone.”

  I didn’t know what to make of it, so I said nothing.

  “Fuck. It was probably Dex. He’s such a dick,” he said.

  My disgust reached an all-time high. “That’s not normal. Why would he do that?”

  “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Whatever. I’m over it. I don’t want to tutor at your house anymore. Dex makes me uncomfortable. So, if you want my services, you’ll have to come to the library. Period. Not negotiable.” I was really laying it on, and he just stared at the ground.

  “That’s not a problem. I’m sorry you got dragged into this.”

  “Yep,” I said, and turned on my heels and put my key in the door.

  “Jade.”

  I paused. I was happy he didn’t use his annoying little nickname, because I would probably throat punch him right now. His presence was infuriating me because I hated how I felt about him.

  “What?”

  “I didn’t sleep with her.” He looked up to meet my gaze.

  I chuckled. It was a maniacal laugh that I didn’t even know I was capable of. What the hell was happening to me? “I don’t care what you do with your personal life, Cruz. Just don’t waste my time, please.”

  I slammed the door hard and marched down the hall before stopping at Ari’s room.

  “I thought you went to meet Cruz?” she said as I stormed past her and dropped down on her bed. Thankfully, her roommate wasn’t there, so we could talk.

  “So did I. Turns out he didn’t text me. His psycho roommate, Dex did. When I knocked on Cruz’s bedroom door, some skanky, naked girl opened it and looked very annoyed to see me. It was mortifying.”

  Ari chuckled and then covered her mouth and sat down beside me on the bed. “Oh my god, I’m sorry. It’s so crazy it’s almost comical. What did you do?”

  “What could I do? I got the hell out of there. I told him I’m not tutoring him at his house anymore. He’ll have to meet me at the library from now on, or I’m done.”

  “You talked to him? At the house?”

  “No. I biked home and he must have driven over. He caught up to me in the parking lot.” I shrugged.

  “What did he say?”

  “He apologized and said he didn’t send the text and that Dex must have done it. Blah, blah, blah. He also told me he didn’t sleep with her.”

  Ari’s brows pinched together, and she shook her head. “Why would he tell you that? He obviously likes you if he raced after you to tell you he didn’t sleep with her.”

  “Are you kidding me right now? If he liked me, he wouldn’t have brought another girl home. And I don’t believe him for one second. She was naked in his bedroom. He also claimed I interrupted him and Meagan when I walked in on them that first day I met him. Now he’s insisting he didn’t sleep with the naked, hot chick in his bedroom? It’s ridiculous.”

  “Jade Moore, you just might be the ultimate cock-blocker,” Ari said, breaking out in a fit of giggles.

  “Ewww… you’re so crude. It doesn’t matter. I may have had a little crush on him, but it’s over now. I’m his tutor and nothing more.”

  “Sure, you are. I have an idea. Let’s go out tonight. Jace said he and a few friends are going to The Dive. Exiled is playing. What better way to show Cruz you don’t care than to go dance your ass off with a bunch of hot guys. You’ve got your ID, so you don’t need him to get in. What do you say?”

  It was childish. But I kind of wanted to show him that I didn’t care. It wasn’t a terrible idea.

  “I’m in. But I need to go to the library for a few hours today if I want to go out tonight,” I said.

  “I’ll come with you. I need to study too. And then we can have fun tonight.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “I can’t believe you talked me into wearing this shirt. It’s completely see-through,” I said, looking down at my lacy bralette through the mesh fabric.

  Ari tucked her shoulder-length blonde hair behind her ear and laughed. “You look hot. You can thank me later.”

  “These jeans are way too tight.”

  “They are not. They fit you perfectly and they show off your cute little bootie,” she said. Ari had amazing style. She wore black skinny jeans and a white crop top. She was taller than me and she had curves.

  The music blared outside where we stood on the sidewalk, and we finally made it to the front of the line. I was shivering because apparently a hoodie would have ruined my outfit, and Ari promised we wouldn’t be outside long. The bouncer eyed me and read my ID. He didn’t say anything, but I wondered if he remembered that this was the ID Cruz gave me. I assumed I was allowed to use it whenever I wanted. He did give it to me after all.

  Ari and I walked inside, and it was packed. She got a text from Jace telling her they had a table for us. She led the way and we found them not far from the stage. I quickly scanned the area and there was no sign of Cruz. Not that I planned on seeing him or speaking to him tonight. I just wanted to make sure he knew I wasn’t affected by what happened this morning. This was kind of a save-face mission. I didn’t want to look like the sad little freshman who got her feelings hurt.

  Brayden and Cam were there and Jace introduced us to his friend Lucas and his girlfriend, Mila. We made small talk, and everyone was having a good time. Jace was a sophomore, and so were his friends.

  Mila pulled her chair close to mine, as it was hard to talk over the music and the individual conversations going on at our table.

  “Are you from Chicago, Jade?”

  “Yes. I grew up not too far from here, in Bucktown. How about you?”

  “Nope. I’m from Colorado. It took me a while to get used to being so far from home last year, but now I love it.”

  “Yeah, I haven’t been home yet, but I like knowing I can go see my dad if I want to. He’s come here to take me to dinner a few times though,” I said.

  “That’s nice. You guys must be close.” Mila was stunning. Tall and lean, with long black hair and dark eyes. I already liked her.

  A voice came over the speaker. “How’s everyone doing tonight? Hope you’re ready for a good show.”

  Butterflies fluttered in my belly. Really, Jade? I internally lectured myself when I looked up to meet his stare and looked away immediately.

  “Shots?” Jace asked, and everyone cheered.

  I opted out and started with a beer. I didn’t want to get sloppy and I’d never had a shot. Jace’s friend Brayden offered me a compromise and asked for an empty shot glass. He poured some beer in the shot glass and winked at me when we all raised our glasses. He was cute and preppy.

  “Here’s to a great night,” Cam said.

&
nbsp; Turned out shots of beer were a fabulous idea. I got buzzed quick, and it was my new favorite drink. I downed three beers fast. We were all laughing and having fun. Brayden tugged me out to dance in the crowd. He was flirty and nice, and I wasn’t fighting it.

  “I’m glad you actually agreed to dance with me tonight,” he said.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I don’t know. The last time we were out, I kept trying to talk to you, but you didn’t give me the time of day.” He laughed.

  Really? I didn’t remember that.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were trying to talk to me.”

  “It’s okay. I just assumed you had a boyfriend. But if not, I’m very happy about that.” His lips grazed my ear and though I didn’t feel butterflies, I definitely thought he was good looking and nice.

  “Nope. I’m single.”

  “That’s good to know, Jade.”

  I probably ignored him last time because Cruz had a way of taking all my attention. But not anymore. It was time I put myself out there. We were dancing close, and I glanced up on stage and Cruz’s angry gaze locked with mine. I wanted to flip him off and tell him that Karma’s a bitch, but that would be a little too obvious. Instead, I looked away and I was happy he got a glimpse of me with someone else.

  I turned in a circle to try to put a little space between Brayden and me, because even though I was glad Cruz was watching this little show, I felt a little suffocated at the same time. Brayden moved behind me, and he started to grind against my backside, and I didn’t like it. I spun around quickly to meet his stare.

  “You’re fucking beautiful, Jade.” He smiled down at me.

  “Thank you,” I said, and I got the feeling he was about to kiss me, so I stepped back a bit again.

  He leaned in to go in for the kiss, and I put my hands on his chest to stop him. Someone grabbed him from behind.

  The giant bouncer pulled him back and pointed his finger in his face. “Hands off, or you’re out.”