He shrugs, snickering at my skepticism. “All I did was occasionally touch her stuff without permission. Or annoy her when she had friends over. Or pull stupid pranks. Nothingthatbad.”
“Oh, really? Because it seems like you were a menace.”
Jim and Alice laugh at my assessment of their son. “You’re spot on, Ivy,” says Alice. “He was. It’s amazing they get along now as well as they do.”
“Do you have any siblings, Ivy?” asks Jim.
I nod. “Yes, I have two older brothers.”
“Ah, so you’re the baby of the familyandthe only girl? Your parents must spoil you rotten.”
“Yeah,” I lie, so as not to dampen the pleasant conversation. “They do.”
When our meal arrives, the focus moves back onto Wes where it belongs. He explains to his parents all the progress he’s made on his senior project and the conclusions he’s derived so far, delving more into the research aspects than he has with me prior. I listen with rapt attention, amazed by his ability to articulate his scientific findings with so much eloquence.
When there’s finally a natural break in the conversation, I excuse myself to use the restroom. Veering through tables, I make my way to the empty women’s room at the back of the restaurant, pushing into the stall at the end. I do my business, and I’m about to leave when the bathroom door bangs open, two sets of heels clacking against the tiled floor.
Something makes me hesitate.
“—can’t believe Wes Tucker’s here with his parents,” says a girl, and my entire body locks up. I vaguely recognize her voice but can’t quite pinpoint it without a visual. “Talk about fantastic genes. Even his dad’s hot.”
“Ew, Madison,” scoffs the other girl.Madison.Alexis’s friend. I hold my breath, now even more conscious about drawing attention.
“What, Val? He is!”
“Did you see who’s with them? I’ve got to text Lex.”
Discomfort prickles beneath my skin, but I don’t dare so much as breathe.
“I can’t believe he’s letting her meet hisparents.Like, really? Out of all the girls on campus you choseher?”
“Her roommate told Alexis she stays at his house most nights. Guess that’s one way to hook a guy like that.” My face grows hot with betrayal even though I shouldn’t be at all phased. I knew Ava and Kinsley were gossiping about me, didn’t I?
“Do you know Lydia Braxton? She said she hooked up with him once freshman year and it was the best sex of her life. She said the boy isblesseddown there. And she said he knows how to use his tongue.”
I swallow as Madison’s words sink in and feel suddenly sick to my stomach. Not just about the fact that Wes hooked up with some random girl (I don’t even want to think about what he did with his tongue), but about the fact that they’re talking so openly about it. So casually.
It’s soviolating.
The other girl sighs. “I’m not surprised.”
“They went three rounds in one night and another one the next morning. She said he got her off four times.”
I stiffen, jealousy searing down my spine. I know it’s wrong. I know I shouldn’t cave to the emotion—I should just be furious at them for gossiping about something so private. Iamfurious, but I also can’t help the envy weaving its way around my heart. I can’t help it because this little piece of information eats at my deep insecurities and pokes at my greatest fears that Wes needs more. Wants more. That I’ll make him wait too long.
“Ugh. Why do I always hook up with the worst guys? Killian couldn’t even get it up last night he was so high. I need to hook a Wes Tucker.”
“Take a page out of Ivy’s book and steal her boyfriend.”
“God, what a bitch. Honestly, she deserved to get punched in the face.”
“That was hilarious. Too bad Alexis didn’t knock out a few teeth. I told her she needs to work on her form for next time.”
“Alexis wants to do more than punch her. She wants to fuckingburyher. It’s why she started that forum in the first place.”
TWENTY-THREE
The air leavesmy lungs in a whoosh as my stomach bottoms out.
