My nose wrinkles. “Why is he such a petty loser?”
Serena bursts into laughter. “He’s spoiled, that’s why. He’s gorgeous, athletic, and comes from a wealthy family. The whole world is an appetizer tray to Tristan Wolfe.”
My stomach churns at the thought. How can I seduce Tristan when he can get anyone he wants?
“Don’t let it scare you,” Serena says, as if reading my mind. “He’s still a predictable fuckboy. If he feels like you don’t want him, he’ll go crazy. That’s all you need to do, Amy. The rest will work out itself.”
I smirk, tugging at a strand of my hair. The purple is now an orangey lavender at my frayed ends. Damn, I’m a mess. “You don’t think I need a makeover?”
She snorts. “You know you’re very pretty, even if Tristan seems to prefer…”
“Tall and skinny and gorgeous. Like you.”
She waves a hand. “He’s never going to pick me. Not when Nick and I used to date. The whole bros before hoes thing. Trust me. When this is over, he’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand.”
Heat unfurls through my insides, warming me everywhere. I shouldn’t be turned on by the idea of Tristan wanting me, but I can’t help it.
Is this just thirst for revenge, or is it something deeper? I hope I’m not succumbing to Tristan’s charms when I’m fully aware of how cruel he is.
I can’t let him have the upper hand. Whatever he’s going to propose tonight, I’ll make sure I’m ready.
CHAPTER 4
Amy
“Come on, Amy!” Katie shouts. “Tell us what it was like to put him in his place.”
Our whole dorm floor is having a party, and I seem to be the center of attention. I should have expected it, given that Pacific Crest’s YouTube channel just released the episode of the opening ceremony a few hours ago.
I don’t know why I decided to join them. I hate parties, but after my conversation with Serena this afternoon, I needed a distraction. I can’t seem to shut my brain off. Thoughts of my meeting with Tristan tonight are racing through my mind.
Whatever happens, I have to seem aloof. I have to seem like I have no interest in him whatsoever.
I don’t, so it shouldn’t be hard.
Why am I so uneasy about the whole thing?
I snort. “He doesn’t think I put him in his place. He doesn’t even care.”
Katie’s eyes widen. “That’s not what I saw. He didn’t like it when you called him an asshole. You could see it all over his face.”
My cheeks warm even though I know she’s exaggerating. But Tristan did seem a little…affected today when I went on my rant about how he’s a sadist.
Maybe he’s just a good actor. Maybe he looked that way for the sake of drama.
“Honestly,” Katie says. “He seemed more into you than any of the other girls. He just made small talk with them, but with you it gotreal.”
“He couldn’t keep up with you,” a guy whose name I can’t recall says. “You were sassing him the whole time, and he didn’t even know what to do. He’s a dumbass.”
An ominous chill skitters over my skin. Tristan might not have emotional intelligence, but he certainly has charisma. Dismissing him as a dumbass would be dangerous.
I take a sip of my drink. Fuck, why are my nerves still frazzled? This is my second beer, and I never drink. I should have a decent buzz by now.
“Hey, are you okay?” Katie asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“I’m fine.” I force a smile, trying to get my body language under control. I’m going to be in the public eye for the next several weeks. I’m not even that close to my roommate, and she can tell I’m upset. I obviously don’t have a very good poker face.
“Alright. If you say so…” She raises both brows.
