“What about dick videos?” I asked, making Daisy almost choke on her drink. I stared at my roommate, and her face was completely natural. But behind her, Derek stood coughing up his water.
“I need to join this conversation,” he groaned, his voice all raspy, and his blue eyes swam with humor.
“You really don't,” I muttered, but both Daisy and Nova moved, allowing him to squeeze in next to me. I watched as his big thigh pressed against my exposed skin, the roughness of his jeans rubbing against my smoothness. I wore only micro shorts and a top that could have passed for a very mini dress. It was over the top, and sitting next to Derek, I suddenly felt self-conscious. Why did I think it was a good idea to dress in such short clothes?
Oh yeah, unsolicited dick video.
“What's your take on nudes?” Nova asked, pushing her solo cup in front of Dex as if it were a microphone. Her eyes lingered in the distance before looking back at us, and I caught her staring at Maddox.
“Sexy,” Derek replied with a grin. “But I like them unsolicited. When a guy asks for it, and you don't send it right away, it kills the vibe. He was probably jerking off and needed mental stimulation. Once that passes, your nude is just one of many.”
“Or you know he could watch porn,” Daisy grimaced.
“You’re not wrong,” Dex nodded.
“What about unsolicited dick... videos?” Nova glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks burn.
“What's on the video? Jerking off, showing off... like I need context.”
“You really don't,” I muttered, embarrassed. “I just suck atthis dating scene. I don't understand why everything has a double meaning, and clearly, I can't hold a conversation for more than three minutes without being asked for nudes or getting dick videos.”
Dex watched me, his blue eyes scanning my face, studying. His piercing gaze was slowly peeling back my layers, and he was trying to make sense of the mess that was me. Comparing the Rosie he knew, who always smiled and talked, and this new Rosalie, who sucked at even maintaining a conversation.
Gosh, I thought college would be good for my social life and help me build confidence, but all I wanted to do was drop out. It would save my parents a bunch of money, and I could do anything different than going to parties and trying to get a boyfriend.
What a pathetic little life.
“I'm going to grab a drink and play some beer pong,” Nova jumped up, breaking my inner turmoil. “I'll leave you with the dick expert.”
“I would prefer being called a pussy expert,” Dex narrowed his eyes at her, but Nova just threw her dark hair over her shoulder and disappeared.
Daisy shifted on the sofa and slowly stood. “I'm going to find the bathroom.”
She disappeared in the crowd of people and only looked up when Dex dropped his arm at the back of the sofa, brushing my neck. “What's up Rosebud?”
Taking a deep breath, I leaned back and groaned. “Nothing. That's the problem.”
“Lay it out on me, I'm the expert you heard.”
I didn't understand why he was being nice after my rudeness. But this was Dex. It was always so easy to talk to him.
“Do you like this guy? Is that why we are trying thishard?” he asked, probing me.
“Gosh, no,” I grimaced. “I don't think I like any of these idiots.”
Derek shot me a confused look, and my shoulders sagged. “I'm trying to date.”
“I can tell,” he nodded. “Where are you stuck?”
“Getting a date instead of a hookup.”
Dex laughed. “You're in college, using a dating app. That's calling for a hookup.”
“What?” I blinked. “You're telling me, it's not my profile, or my picture, or even my bio. Is it simply because I'm using an app? So, how am I supposed to meet guys?”
“I don't know, jeez,” Derek grimaced and motioned around. “Talk to them at a party, in the coffee shop, at the library, on your way to class. Anywhere?”
“You make it sound so easy,” I stared at him, my nose scrunched up.
