Thirty dollars for pancakes?
A waitress is at my elbow almost as fast as I make my decision, and we all place our orders. My voice absolutely does not croak when it is my turn.
The moment she is gone, the interrogation begins.
“So, Emmy, tell us a little about yourself,” Krissy prompts as she leans toward me with super strong eye contact.
I blink, several times, and try to concentrate on answering. “Uh, well, I’m a freshman at NU with Oaks, majoring in economics. That’s about it, really.”
Krissy, Viv, and Benny all have a little bit of a laugh, like I told a joke, but when Oakley and I don’t join in, it dies down. As much as I want to make friends, I’m not interested in sharing my story with these strangers yet. If ever.
“How are you finding SugarLife?” Viv asks, reaching up to play with a strand of her hair. “You’ve been on it for what, a month now?”
I shrug a shoulder. “I’ve only met up with one account so far. And I haven’t really explored much on it.”
Facts.
“Ah, did you get a dud? That sucks for your first time. What happened?” Benny asks as he fidgets with his phone and keys.
“Actually, no, the date went exactly as advertised. They did ask to extend for the entire weekend, but that was with a separate contract,” I reply, trying to sound as casual as possible, even though my heart is racing like I ran here instead of getting an Uber.
“Oh, well, why only the one date? I mean, unless you were the one who accepted the red gift box, then surely you would have needed more money by now?” Krissy asks, that laughing quality back in her voice, likewho on earth would have accepted that?
I remain completely silent, eyes flickering between each of their faces and generally feeling super uncomfortable.
“Jeez, ladies, I thought you guys were cool. What the hell is your problem right now? So what if she did accept the red gift box, how is that any of your business? You all had a year to accept it before Emmy came along,” Oakley demands, and while she sounds like she is laughing, there is an edge to her words.
That seems to snap them out of it, and there are several mumbled sorrys.
Very conveniently, our drinks arrive, but before the waitress leaves, she bends down to whisper in my ear. “The gentleman seated in the opposite corner wanted me to let you know your food and drinks have been paid for.”
My eyes slide shut, and I have to take a deep breath before turning around to glare at Xavier.
The asshole just sits there, face completely neutral, in the same dark blue Henley and black cargo pants he had on in the dorm. Did he leave at the same time we did? Do I not even get the pretense of privacy anymore?
Oakley obviously shifts to look and turns back around with a sigh. “He couldn’t even give you an hour without being around?”
“I don’t fucking know. You talk to him more than I do,” I reply with irritation, causing Oakley to flinch. “Fuck, sorry. I’m not annoyed at you. It’s him. He is everywhere. All the damn time.”
And if it isn’t physically with me, it’s in my messages.
The only time I think I might actually bealonealone is in the shower, but I’m sure that won’t last too much longer.
“What’s going on? Is that guy following you?” Krissy asks, clearly picking up that something is going on, her tone changing from upbeat and perky to determined. “Want me to go over there and say something?”
I glance at Oakley, who gives a small nod. “He is one of the daddies I met up with. He basically just follows me around.”
Taking a sip of my hot chocolate, I melt a little on the inside from the pure deliciousness of the nutty chocolate.
“What do you mean?” Benny asks, sending his own furtive glances past me.
“Well, I tried to end it with the four of them last week. He has refused to let me go, so now he follows me everywhere,” I reply as nonchalantly as possible, but inside, my irritation is burning bright.
“That’s…” Benny starts
“Fucking hot,” Krissy finishes, giving herself a fan.
We all stare at her.
