“The girl, um, damnit, I can’t remember the frat,” Brooks continues. “That douchebag Tanner and some of his friends totally humiliated a girl during one of their parties.”
“Oh shit!” Zeke says. “I remember that night; I was at that party.”
“Weren’t you tight with Tanner back then?” Jaxon asks. “You didn’t remember that was her?”
“I remember hearing about a video,” Jeremy says before I have a chance to respond.
“That night spread like wildfire,” Zeke whispers. “I mean, those pictures were everywhere in the house… and the video…”
“I remember hearing about the party, but I don’t know if I ever really knew what went down.” Fletcher sighs.
“I thought she transferred,” Zeke adds. “You’ve gotta be pretty ballsy to stay here after everyone on campus has seen you naked… How’d I not know she was related to Bowman?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I shrug. “It was two years ago. She’s moved on; why shouldn’t we?”
I pull my shoes on and slide my phone into my back pocket. I nod toward the door, letting them know we should all get to class. But in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if Ember ever let it go. I mean, it was probably the worst night of her life, so—
I’m leaning toward no.
eight
Ember
I’d never have sex with Declan Sanderson. Unfortunately, the rest of our campus doesn’t realize there are other reasons I might be leaving his house… like the truth, for instance—
A project.
But I guess one of Mollie’s friends saw me leaving his place this weekend and thought it was vital information to share with her. Who then thought it would be important to share with everyone she knows on campus, and now I’m having sex with Declan Sanderson.
Or I should say he’s having sex with me out of pity… and for a good grade.
The second I arrive in class, people raise their eyebrows, looking between Declan and me.
“Hi,” he mumbles as I sit down. I give him a nod of acknowledgment as I pull out my stuff for class. “Sorry about the rumors.”
“Not the first time I’ve been on the wrong side of some gossip,” I respond. “I’ll get over it.”
“If we would’ve just worked at the library like you wanted to, people wouldn’t be talking.”
“It’s really not a big deal. I cleared it up with Cam,” I respond. “He’s the only person I care to clarify the situation with.”
“I just hope you know that I didn’t—”
“Never said you did.”
“I know that.” He sighs, turning in his seat to face me. “I just want you to know that I wouldn’t do that. Spread rumors about you, aboutus, like that.”
“Thank you,” I mumble.
Although my whole heart isn’t in it because he has done that. Except it wasn’t rumors he helped spread but something entirely worse.
“I hope everyone was able to get together last week and work on this project.” Mr. Randsen brings our conversation to a halt.
“Or something more,” A voice comes from the front of the class. It’s a girl I’ve never seen before, but her eyes travel up toward us. She’s not even trying to be discreet.
So much for being safe here.
Mr. Randsen glances up at us as I sink into my seat. If I were fooling around with someone, I wouldn’t choose Declan. His eyes go back to the girl before he addresses the class.
