Then I’ll go for the jugular.
Sleep with him, ditch him, and cringe afterward.
It’ll mean saying goodbye to any chance at the ten K scholarship, and I’ll have to live with that.
My stomach roils at the thought of losing something that could mean less years paying off my student loans. But really, what are the odds that he’s actually going to give it to me? Probably slim to none. If his ultimate plan is to humiliate me, he’ll probably choose someone else at the end of the game… All while watching my face the whole time as he makes his pick with that cruel smirk. Just like the day Harper read my fanfic.
No, I won’t let him do it. I’ll say goodbye to the small possibility that he’s going to give me that scholarship and get my revenge instead.
“I need your help, Nick,” I find myself saying.
His eyes flash. “Anything. I meant it when I said I want to make amends.”
I frown. “For what?”
“For not having your back. You were my friend, too. I want to be your friend now. Tell me what I can do for you, and it’s done. I don’t care if it pisses Tristan off.”
Exhilaration pumps through my veins. Nick really can help me, as close as he is to Tristan.
“Invite me to all the frat parties,” I say, “and introduce me to guys who might be interested in me.” My cheeks burn. What a humiliating request to someone like Nick, who hangs out with all the “hot people” in the Greek scene, including Tristan.
What if he can’t find anyone?
It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’m determined to follow through with this plan.
Nick raises an eyebrow. “You got it. I’ll make sure you’re on the approved guest list for every party. Tristan put you on the blacklist after the game started.”
My skin heats. “I’m sorry, what?”
He huffs. “Yeah, I think he did it because he doesn’t want you catching on to whatever he’s up to. It’s not a problem though, because I can get you off it. I’m closer to the pledges than he is, and the third and fourth years made them the door bitches. I’ll at least get you into our parties, though I can’t promise that Tristan will let you stay.”
“God, he’s awful.”
Nick smirks. “He’s going to hate it if guys start going after you. He wants them all to think he owns you. We’ll prove him wrong. I’ll find dozens of guys to go after you.”
My eyes roll. “I have no need for flattery. If any of the guys only want me because Tristan’s pretending to want me, I don’t really care. They’re a means to an end for me.”
Nick laughs. “Man, I missed you. I always loved how blunt you are.”
My heart squeezes. I missed him too. There was so much history between me and their family, and it felt like it vanished almost overnight.
“I really appreciate that you’re helping me out, Nikki,” I say, his childhood nickname rolling off my tongue.
“Hey, no problem.” He grins back at me. “It’ll be an easy job. Plenty of guys will be happy to date you.” A mischievous glint alights his eyes. “And Tristan is going to lose his mind.”
I scoff. “Tristan won’treallycare. Not about me. It’s all about his ego.”
His voice grows hushed. “He absolutely will. I don’t understand his obsession with you. I don’t know why he singles you out and acts like such a dick, but trust me, he will care. He’ll care a lot.”
Rage simmers under my skin. Tristan was really starting to charm me.
Never again.
“Then it’s settled,” I say. “I’ll make him regret ever crossing paths with me.”
Nick smiles. “That’s my girl.” His face suddenly grows serious. “I noticed you became friends with Serena…”
I fight the smile rising to my lips. “I have. I really like her. She’s a genuinely caring person.”
