The bra underneath is a bright purple, and you can make out the shape, colour and texture of the lace from under the thin material of my shirt. It’s nothing compared to what the other women downstairs are wearing; they look like models.I’m simply trying to blend in, right? Not compete.
I descend the spiral staircase, and the loud one squeals, “Oh my god! Have you been up there the whole time?”
I look past her to Warren, who blinks rapidly at me as he leans forward in his chair. Before I answer her, Warren says, “This is my roommate, Chloe.” His eyes slowly trace my body from the floor to the top of my head, and his jaw ticks. Goosebumps form on my arms under the intensity of his stare.The shirt is working.“She has a hot date tonight.” He takes a swig of beer as his brow creases.
I hesitate, enjoying his reaction, but decide to continue on. “Actually, I don’t. I have to use the bathroom. Sorry to interrupt.” I glide past them all, doing my best to seem casual, and catch my breath when I close the bathroom door. After I wash up, I reapply some mascara.
Bryce speaks as I head back upstairs, passing behind the couch, “Hey, Chloe, join us.” A few people echo their approval, and I look to Warren, who gestures to the empty seat next to him. A tiny rush of pride at being invited to sit streaks through me, like I got invited to sit at the cool kids’ lunch table.
I sit, and the loud woman brings me a beer.
“Thanks.” I smile up at her.
“I’m Giorgianna. You can call me GiGi. That’s my boyfriend, Tyler.” The man in the darkened part of the room closest to the dining table raises his cup in lieu of a greeting. “That’s Cassie and her boyfriend, Caleb. OMG! I just realised your names both start with aC.” Cassie and Caleb both wave, so I do as well. I give a quick sideways glance to Warren, who is reading the label of his beer like it’s revealing the secrets of the universe.
“I’m Matt. Nice to meet you.” The man sitting next to Bryce leans forward to shake my hand. He seems the safest person to talk to, the most approachable. Handsome too. His eyes are piercing like Warren’s, but there’s less weight to them, and glasses overtop. He’s got shaggy, curly black hair that borders on unruly, a full beard and warm brown skin.
“And you remember Bryce,” Warren pipes up from next to me. I smile politely but turn my flaming eyes to Warren. He smirks into the top of his beer.
“Nice to meet you all.” I swallow my pride. “Nice to see you again, Bryce.”
GiGi sits back down after fetching a drink and goes back to her conversation with Tyler and C². Bryce stands and goes to the dining table to pour himself another drink. The music blaring from the stereo doesn’t quite fit the vibe. Moreacoustic chillversuslow-key frat house. But it’s the most action this living room has seen in a long time. It’s good for the apartment’s soul.
Matt slides down the couch to the seat closest to me, facing the centre of the living room. Warren perks up next to me.
“So, Chloe, what happened to your date?” Matt is definitely a little drunk, slurring his words, but his smile is comforting.
“He had plans he couldn’t get out of.” I shrug.
“Her guy is a nurse.” Warren saysnurselike it’s a dirty word.
“I wouldn’t call himmy guy…” We haven’t even been on a date yet. “Tonight was going to be the first time we hung out. Takeout and a movie—nothing major.”
Matt raises an eyebrow to Warren, and I look between them, trying to determine what’s being said without speaking.
Matt puts me out of my misery. “I'm confused why someone would pass on a date that basically had a guarantee of…” he stops to rub his chin, “sex… with a girl like you.” He gestures to me with an open palm. “You know, because you seem so nice!” His voice pitches way up.
Warren stifles a laugh at Matt’s expense.
I hadn’t invited Calvin over for sex, had I?No, the location was for Willow’s sake.
I lift the bottle to my lips.Ew, warm beer. “It was not, um. I wasn’t going to—” I cut myself off. There’s no point arguing my intentions.
Matt’s eyes drift to my lips, and my back involuntarily straightens. He tilts his head and focuses, deep in thought. By the look in his eye, I’d guess it involves me. My eyes flick to Warren, whose eyes are laser focused on Matt, glaring at him with a smirk overtop the rim of his beer bottle. I think the outfit’s workingtoowell.
I clear my throat. “I’m going to get some wine. Do either of you want some?” I stand and walk away before they have a chance to answer. Warren follows close behind as I get a bottle opener from the kitchen drawer. “I think I might take this to go,” I say over my shoulder. He seems as if he’s going to say something, but then we both turn to the dining room and still entirely.
I put the corkscrew down on the kitchen counter and use the ledge to balance myself.Oh, hell no.
I watch as Tyler, GiGi, and Bryce divide white powder on a tray with a credit card.
My lips tremble as I will myself not to burn these idiots where they stand.
“Absolutely fucking not,” I mutter, mostly to myself.
Warren’s expression falls, his lips tight and pale. He puts a gentle hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off and storm towards the dining table.
“Pack that shit up right now and get out.” I barely recognise my own voice. “You cannot do that here.”
