I glare at Holland as I pass him, and he begins to trail behind me. I can feel his body heat against my back as I make my way down the stairs to find my best friend.
Ellie likes to party, but once she’s done, she’s done. Luckily, the party is at the Elite mansion, which is right across the street from our house off campus.
Holland follows behind as I make my way toward the stairs. Without turning around, I say, “you can go now. No need to follow me.”
I hear the chuckle Holland releases.
“I have to go downstairs, Barkley. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
Rolling my eyes, I continue down the absurdly elegant staircase. The Elite mansion is old and beautiful. Why they would give it to a bunch of men astounds me.
This is my senior year. Ellie and Hollands too. After our friends Ryker and Gwen graduated last spring, I thought our friend group would die down, but we’ve all remained pretty close.
Holland, his cousin Mason, and Ryker’s younger brother Logan still live in the Elite Mansion. They continue to throw wild parties and act like total dumbasses.
Ellie, our other roommate Haley, and I still live in the same house we rented junior year.
Gwen and Ryker got together last Fall, and by the end of the spring, they were engaged. Their wedding is coming up pretty fast too. Gwen told Ryker they didn’t need to get married so soon after their engagement, but Ryker insisted on having the wedding sooner rather than later.
So now it’s January, and their wedding is in 3 weeks. Ellie and Haley are bridesmaids, and I have the greatest pleasure of being maid of honor.
When Gwen asked me to be her maid of honor, I sobbed like a baby. Gwen is one of my best friends and watching her get her happy ending almost made mewish it would happen for me. However, I’m not naive enough to believe in happily ever after. It’s just not in the cards for me, and I’ve come to accept it… for the most part.
Growing up, my parents weren’t around much. We had a nanny, a chef, cleaners, and I spent more time with them than I did mom and dad.
Dad’s a lawyer, one of the most sought-after lawyers in Rhode Island, actually. Mom’s a famous model. Together, they have more money than they know what to with and they used that money to take extravagant trips and buy me luxurious gifts to make up for the fact they never took me on said trips.
Being an only child, I was alone most of the time. My nanny, Erica, was nice enough. She essentially let me do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. That might sound like a dream to some people, but it was a lonely existence.
When I decided I wanted to attend Ellington University in Connecticut, my parents were happy for me, but I think they were happy they’d have the house to themselves, whenever they’re actually there.
Sometimes, I think they took all those trips to escape me. The child they never wanted. At least, that’s the way it seems.
All I wanted was love and attention from the two people that were supposed to love me the most in this world. But not even parents can be counted on. Their careers always came first, and I was an afterthought.
The only good thing that came out of that whole situation was my ability to be independent. I don’t needanyone. I’m perfectly fine on my own, and that’s the way I prefer it.
That might explain why I’ve never been in an actual relationship. I lost my virginity in high school to a boy that made me feel like I was his world. Only to turn around and sleep with Izzy Carter, my sworn enemy.
Since then, the only kinds of relationships I’ve had are the kind where we fuck and don’t even know each other’s names. Quick and easy, no strings. That’s worked perfectly well for me so far.
Ellie’s family moved in next-door when I was eight. We quickly hit it off, and she became my best friend. Her annoying twin brother started tagging along just to bother Ellie, and in turn, bother me.
As we got older, he got more annoying and more protective over Ellie, which of course we found aggravating as hell.
With them attending the same college, and us living on the same street, it’s only gotten worse.
Holland and I aren’t enemies, but I wouldn’t call us besties either. I tolerate him because he’s my best friend’s brother, but I wouldn’t be torn up about it if he wasn’t here.
When I hit the ground floor where the party is full swing, the music blasting and the people drinking and smoking, my eyes wander.
I spot Ellie, her shoulder length blonde hair and pink dress standing in a corner by herself. She looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here.
I don’t blame her, now that my night’s been ambushed by Satan himself. Okay, maybe that’s anexaggeration. Holland isn’t Satan. He’s actually a good guy, always has been. Which has always been aggravatingly annoying because it makes him more appealing.
I’d never admit this to anyone, but I’ve definitely had a fantasy or two starring Holland Monroe. It’s hard not to when I’ve seen him almost every day since I was eight.
“Finally!” Ellie exclaims as I approach. She looks a bit spooked, and a lot mad.
