Boyfriend Bargain (Hawthorne University #1)(36)

I’m outright giggling. “Dude, I can’t even bend over.”





*



After picking up some donuts, I drive to Z’s, and I have a hard time finding a parking place. I end up on the side of the road one block over, and I curse myself for not agreeing to let Z come pick me up. While it was kind of him to offer when he texted me today, I like knowing I can leave when I want to.

The house is lit up as I turn the corner, shivering from the gust of cold wind as I cross my arms over my North Face.

Finally at his house, I walk up the sidewalk and open the door. It’s loud inside with music blaring over a sound system that I can’t see. Happy Birthday Eric! is written on a gold banner strung up on the wall near the staircase, and black and gold balloons float around the room.

There’s a coat rack overflowing with jackets, so I fold mine up and tuck it neatly inside the hall closet. “Stay safe, Coat.”

I feel exposed in my dress, as if I’m on display. Several girls are huddled in a pile on the couch in the den, and I search their faces for anyone familiar I might know, but it’s pointless. I don’t know these people. One of the girls turns around to get a look at me, and my eyes narrow. Veronica. She sniffs, turns her nose up, and whispers to one of the other girls.

I’m almost to the kitchen when she gets up and cuts me off, giving me an overly bright smile.

I blink. “Hi?”

Dressed in a slinky black pantsuit with a silver sash around the middle, she looks sophisticated and snooty. She’s wearing her I smell something bad expression.

She arches a brow and looks down at the donuts.

“They’re for Eric.”

“I see. How thoughtful. I’ll take them and put them on the food table,” she says, pulling them from my grasp.

“Okay.” Whatever. I let them go. I’m sure at some point, Eric will see them, and I feel awkward carrying them around in the crowded house anyway.

I go to step around her but she moves in front of me.

“Yes?”

She gives me a condescending smile, her eyes running from the top of my hair down to my shoes. “Just wanted to tell you to enjoy yourself tonight. After all, who knows how much longer you’ll be with Z. He tends to go through girls on a regular basis.”

She doesn’t know about the agreement we made, and I’m glad.

I bat my lashes, playing her game just as well as she does. I know her type. She can’t have Z, and she doesn’t want anyone else to get him either. “Oh, I know. Thanks for reminding me that he’s quite the player. And his one-month deal? Suits me just fine. Bye now.”

Then I’m shoving past her and into the packed kitchen. There’s a makeshift bar set up on the table, and a girl wearing one of the player’s jersey is pouring drinks for everyone. Easing in between people, I grab a glass of punch and pretend to drink. Someone jostles into me from the side and some of it sloshes out of the cup, splattering down my dress.

I glance up, but whoever it was has already gotten away. I exhale, trying to wipe at the fabric. At least the dress is a dark burgundy color so it doesn’t show up.

“I’m already regretting this,” I mutter to myself.

Eric appears at my side, his hair tousled as if someone’s had their hands in it. He picks me up and twirls me around as much as he can. “You came! I told Z you’d chicken out.” He leans down conspiratorially. “Did you bring me a gift? If not, that’s totally fine since we told everyone no gifts, and I’ll take a little kiss instead.” He points to his cheek. “Right here will do just fine.”

I brush my lips against his skin and step back. “I brought donuts, but Veronica confiscated them.”

His eyes go around the room as if looking for someone. He shakes his head at me. “Ah, man, Z must have it bad for you.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, sipping my drink, doing my best to relax and blend in.

“Because he’s staring at us right now.” He grins, a bit maniacally. “I love it when he gets riled up—which doesn’t happen much when it comes to girls.”

I look around the room. “Where?”

Eric wiggles his eyebrows and tilts his head toward the stairs. “Up on the ledge. I guarantee he saw you when you first came in, and I’m dashing before he kicks my ass.” He goes to leave but turns back around, his face serious. “Also, don’t hurt him, okay? I’m not sure he can take it.”

How would I hurt him?

“He’s the one with a girl of the month,” I say.

Eric winces. “Is he really? That’s mostly gossip, you know, and I don’t know of any girl who has a bad word to say about him—other than maybe Veronica on a bad day—so that pretty much clears that up.” He continues, lowering his voice. “He’s just got a lot going on with hockey. We didn’t win a championship last year, and it’s important to him that we do this year.”

I nod, seeing the slightly worried, earnest expression on his face. “Okay.”

And then he’s off, his head bobbing through the crowd as he makes his way to the back door where people are spilling out onto the deck.

I turn and look for Zack on the steps, my eyes going up to the top of the staircase, and there he is, his face in a bit of a scowl. Wearing a pair of low-slung jeans and a tight black shirt with the HU Lions logo on the sleeve, he draws the eye—straight to his muscled chest and those rock-hard abs below it. He motions with his head for me to come to him.