Sweet Fall (Sweet Home #2)(7)

“Thanks for letting me know, Cass,” I said dryly. She just wiggled her eyebrows at me in response.

“So where’s Ally and Molls?” I asked. Ally, the prettiest girl I’d ever seen, courtesy of her Spanish mother’s Latino exotic looks, and Molly, our British transfer genius who had just arrived here at UA a few months back to get her Masters. She was beautiful underneath her mass of brown hair and thick geek glasses. And Molly, the most private girl I knew, had managed to capture the attention of the most popular guy on campus—Rome “Bullet” Prince, Ally’s cousin and star quarterback for the Tide.

“Studying, I think?” Cass finally answered.

Cass shifted in her seat and, glancing at the slightly ajar door, leaned forward. “What the hell’s up with Molls and Rome?”

“I don’t know. Never known the guy to care for anyone but his friends, and then Molls arrives and suddenly he’s always watching her, trying to talk to her.”

“He’s sure got folks talking.”

“Has Molls said anything else about it to you?” I asked.

Cass hit me with her yeah-right expression. “Nah, darlin’. You know that chick’s not into sharing her feelings. But, f*ck, Rome Prince! What I wouldn’t give to be rammed from behind by that dude!”

My eyes darted to movement at the door. “Hey, Molls! Hey, Ally!”

Molly timidly entered the room, pushing her thick black glasses up on her nose. Ally followed behind, scowling at Cass in reprimand.

“What are you talking about? I heard my name mentioned,” Molly asked warily.

I swallowed and snapped my gaze to Cass, who was just casually lounging back on the loveseat.

“Erm…” I mumbled, thankful my white makeup covered the red blush of my embarrassment.

Cass rolled her eyes. “We were talking about you getting all dripping wet for Rome Prince! Mr. Turn-any-*-into-a-faucet!”

Ally made a gagging sound. “Cass! He’s my cousin! Jesus Christ! The guy’s like my damn brother!”

Molly’s brown eyes were huge behind the lenses of her glasses, and she sputtered, “Bloody hell, Cass! Could you be any more crude!”

Cass winked. “Okay, we’re talking about how Bullet Prince’s got a big rock-hard boner for you.” She looked at Molls. “That better for her majesty?”

Molly was now bright red, and Ally put an arm around her shoulders. “Nothing’s happening between us,” Molly muttered. Even Ally looked like she didn’t believe that excuse of a statement.

“Bullshit!” Cass spat out.

Molly dropped her books on my dresser and her hands hit her hips. “Cass, enough!”

Cass shrugged. “Whatever, Molls. You’ll be riding that bullet train in no time; you mark my words.”

Molly sighed and gripped the bridge of her nose. “Why do I bother?” she whispered.

“So now I’m with my hunky cowboy JD, Molls is sooo gonna be boning Bullet, Ally, well, she’s just too beautiful to remain single for long, so that only leaves you, Sexy Lexi, my little goth princess,” Cass said, leaning forward on the seat.

Molly and Ally walked over and sat beside me. Molly stared at the wooden floor. Cass tended to induce that shell-shocked demeanor in our timid English friend.

“I don’t think so, Cass. Not into the boy thing, thanks,” I assured.

Cass nodded and pursed her lips. “Ahh… You’re into pootang, not pork swords. The makeup, the weird clothes, the metal music, it finally makes sense.”

“Cass—”

“No, Lex, I get it. I’ve seen you checking out my rack. It’s cool. There’ll be some * we can hook you up with. I know, we’ll start with the ladies soccer team. Those bitches love—”

“Cass! I’m not a lesbian! Just stop!”

“Okay, calm down, girl! Ain’t no shame in licking clits.”

“Good Lord! Molly, Ally, can you get through to her!” I said, clearly exasperated beyond measure.

Molly laid her hand on my back, causing me to stop breathing and clench my teeth. I hated my back being touched.

Molly faced Cass. “I think she is simply saying she is not ready for a boyfriend yet, Cass. Leave her be. It’s none of our business.”

Cass was suddenly serious. “Why, Lex? You’ve never had a guy in the entire time I’ve known you. What’s going on?”

My heart set off thundering in my chest and my palms began to sweat. Molly’s hand froze on my back, and I knew she’d felt my tense reaction. At least she was the one person who was more private that me; she wouldn’t say anything.

“I just don’t, Cass. Let’s draw a line under that conversation, ’kay?”

Cass sighed and threw up her hands but let it go when I moved to check out the time on my phone.

Hell, I’m late!

I jumped from the bed and grabbed for my purse.

“You okay, darlin’?” Ally asked in concern, and I nodded with rote enthusiasm.

“I-I-I got a practice I g-gotta get to,” I sputtered evasively and began searching around my room for my car keys. I actually had my session with Dr. Lund, my shrink, and lately, they were essential. My thoughts were skirting into dangerous territory.

Ally’s eyebrows pulled down. “The cheer squad doesn’t have a practice tonight.” I froze, kept my back to my friends, and tried to come up with an excuse. I’d slipped up. Ally had only just quit the cheer squad to focus on her studies. She knew the schedule inside out.