But she doesn’t run.
She just says, “I’ll think about it.” and I know that’s her version of yes.
30
DELILAH
Ialready regret coming.
The frat house smells like beer, Axe body spray, and every bad decision ever made on a Thursday night.
The music is too loud. The lights are too bright. The carpet is sticky. Why is frat carpet always sticky?
Lacey’s somewhere behind me, holding a red solo cup and trying to convince Brianna that Clide isn’t “emotionally avoidant,” he’s just “focused on work.” Chloe’s already disappeared upstairs with someone I didn’t catch the name of.
I’m leaning against a wall, sipping a flat Sprite, wondering how long I have to stay before I can make a graceful exit. Or any exit.
I pull out my phone and check the time, noticing a couple messages from Troy. He and his friends were heading to a different party on a different side of campus.
Hawkins
you’d hate this party, all loud music and dumb hats, I say 0 egg mayos, 0 interest
I bite back a smile. I do hate dumb hats. I text him back before I can overthink it.
Sounds like hell. how are you surviving princess?
Hawkins
left five minutes ago, already in sweats. thinking about that face you make when you’re about to orgasm.
My stomach flips.
“Who are you texting?” Lacey leans over my shoulder, tipsy and nosy and glittery as ever. I tilt my screen away. “No one.”
She smirks. “No one wouldn’t make you smile like that.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. It’s Troy.”
Lacey’s eyes go cartoon-wide. “Oh my god. Youreally likehim.”
“I might like him,” I admit, slow, careful, like saying it too loud will make it real. “A little.”
Things between us have been good. They’ve been more than good. We’ve been hooking up whenever we get a spare moment and making really good progress on our Future Innovators Project.
Her mouth drops open. “Delilah Greer.”
“I know.”
“You like him.”
“I saidmaybe.”
She grabs my arm and spins me around like we’re in a teen rom-com. “You’ve never admitted liking anyone. Ever.”
I laugh, embarrassed and already half-regretting saying anything. “Don’t make it a thing.”
“It is absolutely a thing,” she squeals. “Are you seeing him again?”
