Addicted for Now (Addicted #2)(159)

People thought she was nuts—in a genius “I will devour your soul” kind of way.

I thought she was f*cking fascinating.

And then Caroline Haverford broke our quick-witted banter. She strutted up to my group, cupping a Diet Fizz, her brown hair sleek on her shoulders. She rode horses every day and was another notch in the WASP community. Wealthy families, socialites, equestrian, golf, Ivy Leagues, prep schools—I had been surrounded by it all for nineteen years.

She was another face I remembered. Another name I cared little about but made sure that I knew. And she eyed me with that predator look that said, What use will you be to me? Will I marry you some day and take all your f*cking money?

After a cordial greeting, practically shoving Rose aside, she asked, “Do you still fence?”

“Yes, Connor, do you still fence?” The icy voice sliced the air as Rose interjected herself again. It almost brought a full smile to my face.

Before I could answer no, Caroline set her sights on Rose. “Harper Woodrow told me you’re still a virgin.”

It came out of left field, an obvious slight that caused Rose to spin towards me and silently say, Don’t you dare pity me. I wouldn’t. Not for that.

Caroline added, “I can give you the name of a guy who’d gladly rid you of it.”

“I’d rather make a necklace with your teeth.”

Caroline let out a short laugh, and Rose planted an agonizingly harsh glare on her, unflinching. And then Caroline’s mouth dropped. “Are you serious?”

“You’re right,” Rose said, “Connor has prettier teeth. What’d those cost to whiten? A thousand dollars?”

“Not nearly that much.”

“Would you give them to me?”

She liked to banter this way. And I gladly played into it. “Not without a price.”

Caroline’s head whipped between us.

“No,” Rose said. “I want them just because.”

“That’s not how the world works.”

Caroline interjected, “She wouldn’t know any differently. She’s used to being handed things.” She sloshed her Diet Fizz can to demonstrate just where all of Rose’s wealth came from.

Rose inhaled a sharp breath.

Her just because speech was not out of a spoiled, bitchy heart. She was leading me somewhere—a place that she had trouble finding on her own. So I ignored Caroline and prodded. “What kind of man would give you his teeth for free?”

Rose stared at me with surprise, as though I cracked some code of hers. It lit my heart on fire. “The kind who loves me.”

“You’d put a guy through that big of a test?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

“Because it’s impossible to reach.”

“Then so be it.”

I believed she wanted to be alone forever. I believed she was afraid to be loved for real.

Caroline muttered so only I can hear, “She’s such a bitch.” She waited for me to confirm the fact. It was hard to deny Rose Calloway’s bitchiness, but she was endearing in ways that Caroline was not. Most men would agree with me, and I wouldn’t be able to explain to Caroline why guys found her annoying but they were insanely, deeply, anatomically attracted to Rose.

And then Caroline spilt her soda all over Rose’s dress.

The tour hadn’t even begun. Her interview was still slated that afternoon. Rose’s automatic response was to solve the crisis, not curse out Caroline. Without saying a word, she walked quickly in her heels to the bathroom.

Caroline grabbed my wrist before I followed Rose. “I’ll be here,” she told me.

“I know.” Caroline was the type of girl I was destined for. She was my future. But I was not done fighting for another one. A future that would turn my rudimentary life into something more exciting.

I wanted the f*cking challenge.

The easy path was always the most boring.

And I would be damned to miss this chance.

I sprinted down the hall and then slowed to a brisk walk as I reached the girls’ bathroom. I pushed open the door, and Rose stood by the sink, scrubbing the stain with wet paper towels, her eyes bloodshot with anger and anxiety.

When she saw me enter, she directed all of her pent-up frustration at my incoming body. “This is the girls’ bathroom, Richard.” She tried to fling a paper towel at me but it fluttered to the ground in defeat.

“I’m aware.”

“Then what are you doing here?” She threw her hands up. “You know what, you should be happy. I’m not going to be accepted into the Honor’s Program. You’ll be able to gloat about this win too.”

I came to her side and tossed the sodden towels in the nearby trash. And then I began to shrug off my red blazer.

“What are you doing?”

“This is what help looks like.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to be indebted to you.” She pointed her finger at me and stepped back. “I know how you work. I get it. You do things for students and they have to pay you back in some sick way.” Opportunity cost. Benefits. Deals. They were the foundation of my life.

“I’m not prostituting people.” I hold out the blazer to her. “There’s not a string attached to this. I’m not expecting anything in return. Take it.”