Page 11

“Truth is his cousin Roxie is her roommate.”

“Met her. Pretty eyes and a great as⁠—“

“Watch it, Grant,” I growled, the threat clear. He stared at me for a moment before he pressed his lips together like he was trying to stop himself from grinning like an idiot.

“Shit. It’s like that, huh?” I didn’t bother answering him with the truth. Yeah, it’s fucking like that. I’d do anything to make her smile and not ever cry like she had on my lap a couple of days ago.

“Okay… So, what? Roxie wants them together, and now you’re here at a Lamda party, trying to play fucking Cupid instead of trying to get your dick wet like you usually do?” I grunted because I couldn’t deny the truth. Trevor and I had partied together in the past, and he knew my MO at parties. Or what it used to be. I didn’t even recognize that version of myself. After only two months? Imagine four more with her, if Trevor agreed.

I’d be wrecked.

“Why do you want me to do this? The truth.”

“Because I like Roxie,” I answered without thinking. “I… it would help get me some more time with her.”

“More time…” He looked confused. “You sound like you’re on a countdown or something.”

“Aren’t we all?” I muttered. Concern flickered in his blue eyes. “I just mean… the end of the year will be here before you know it and with it, graduation and real life are going to butt in.”

“Hmm…” He nodded. “Okay. But on the record, man, I’m only doing this because I was going to ask her out anyway. If she agrees, though, I’m going to take her out and show her a good time. I like her. She’s sweet and gorgeous.”

“Right, but if Adam steps in… “

“I’ll step away. I’ll help you.”

“Why?”

“Because sometimes it’s okay to do things just because it’s the right thing to do.” Yeah, Trevor Grant was a good guy despite having been raised in the same power and money hungry way I’d been.

And I was almost certain that if Adam didn’t get his head out of his ass, Roxie would be right. He’d lose his chance with his girl. The thought of losing my chance with my girl felt like lead in my gut.

“You good, man?” Trevor asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah. Here.” I took my phone out, pulling up my girl’s contact information. “Rox is going to fill you in with info.”

“You want me to do this tonight?”

“The sooner the better.” Not for Adam or Callie and their future, but for me. To guarantee me three more months with Roxanne.

Yeah, I might have found I had a soft side, but it didn’t make me any less of an asshole.

THREE

ROXIE

Iwatched my best friend and my cousin walk off into the distance. A smile played on my lips. Adam might still behind her, but this time, I was positive that for the first time in a year, Callie knew he was following her.

My idiot cousin had finally pulled his head out of his ass and told Callie how he felt. He might have been stupid pushing her to go out on a date, but Callie had chosen Adam and had cancelled the date with Trevor.

“You know…” An all-too-familiar voice sounded next to me, but I didn’t bother to look up at him. Dave. “I think it’s clear to say that you owe me even more now.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say?” I turned. “We had a deal.”

“Yeah… I think double works for me.”

“Double,” I mumbled, swallowing hard. Who does this stupid frat boy, baseball-tossing pitcher think he is?!

“I mean, you did ask me to help.” He looked to where Adam and Callie were walking off campus. Me and my stupid big mouth! “You were crying about them and⁠—“