The bastard's hand is definitely cupping her pussy, right there at the table, and she melts into him like she's been waiting for it all night.
I just shake my head, drag my attention back to my beer, and take a long pull.
Classic Luke.
"Why don't you show me how you'd cheer for me... later. In my bed." Luke's mouth curves into that slow, filthy smirk. "You know... so I can hear just how good you really are at screaming my name every time I make a hit. Every time I score."
I drag my bottle to my mouth again, taking a long pull, anything to tune out Luke's dirty play-by-play.
That's when I hear it — the opening chords spilling from the beat-up karaoke machine in the corner.Forever and Always. Taylor Swift.
My head snaps that way before I even think about it.
Don't know why, don't know what I'm expecting to see. Just... that's what happens every time a Taylor Swift's song comes on. Been like that for years now.
My chest knots up, and I blow out a breath, slumping like a fool who just got sucker-punched by a damn song.
Cody's elbow digs into my side, snapping me back. He jerks his chin toward the entrance. "Your girl's here."
Like an idiot, my eyes shoot to the doorway, stretching my neck, scanning every damn face. In my head, I'm looking for Caroline. Which is so fucking stupid. She's not my girl. Not anymore. She's in New York, miles away. Hell, no one here even knows her except Elijah.
And yet... here I am, looking. Like a jackass.
My chest dips when all I see is strangers. My head drops, lips twisting in a humorless chuckle.
"I'm losing it. Really losing it," I mutter, dragging a hand down my face. Must be the booze. Has to be. 'Cause otherwiseI'm just the dumbass who can't go five minutes without Caroline clawing her way back into my head.
Cody jabs me again. I glance at him, and he squints. "You good, bro? Or you drunk already?"
"Guess so..." I mutter, following his gaze — and that's when I see her.
Taylor Lewis. Standing right in front of me like she owns the room. Ridgewater's hottest mess and hottest girl rolled into one.
The Tease. The Party Queen. The Hookup Barbie.Around campus, she's got a dozen nicknames, but the one that sticks the most?The Campus Slut.
And right now, she's also the girl everyone thinks I'm hooking up with.
"Hey, gorgeous."
"Hey, handsome..."
Her voice is low and dirty, the kind that hits first and makes you think of exactly one thing — sex. Then she's swinging a leg over, sliding onto my lap like she's done it a thousand times. Her arms loop around my neck, pulling me in.
The kiss hits fast, hard. Her mouth claims mine with zero hesitation, lips moving like she's got something to prove. She tastes like vodka and vanilla gloss, tongue slick and insistent, teeth tugging at my bottom lip before she finally lets go.
She leans back, lips curving into a slow, wicked smirk. She drags her thumb across my mouth, smearing her lipstick like she's marking me up on purpose.
I don't even need to look to know every single set of eyes at the table is locked on us. Some jealous, some just watching like I'm living out their fantasy.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CAROLINE
My last class ended before noon today—bless Wednesdays for being light—and I'd already powered through my homework back in the dorm. Everything's done and submitted early (look at me, being all responsible and Type A). Which left me with exactly two hours to kill here, my happy place.
The Ridgewater U fitness center.
Basically a palace for sweaty people. Two full floors, polished until they sparkle, and more machines than I even know how to use.
