Tutoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #1)(41)

“How was The White House?” Jane asks, her voice lifting several octaves.

“It was… kind of amazing.” I sneak a glance at Violet. “I wish you guys had been there.”

Except then Jordan wouldn’t have stayed over, and that was my very favorite part of the night.

“Did you get to hang out with Liam?” Violet asks.

“A little.”

Jane claps her hands. “I want to hear all about it, but I need a shower and a nap.”

Vi nods her agreement. “Same. And we need to go by the ballroom to take measurements and pictures for the artist.”

“I’m out,” Jane says. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. I have to crash, but I promise I will be at your beck and call the rest of the weekend.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Vi says as Jane starts out of the kitchen to go crash. She looks at me. “You’ll come?”

“Of course.”

After a shower and breakfast, Violet and I go to campus. The ballroom on the first floor of Moreno Hall is way bigger than I pictured.

“How many people are we expecting?” I ask.

“So far only fifty have RSVP’d.”

“Fifty?! That’s way more than last year.”

“I know. It’s going to be amazing.” She twirls around the big ballroom. She looks so happy.

My face must not meet her enthusiasm because she stops and asks, “Do you not like it?”

“No, it’s going to be great.”

“But?”

“Don’t kill me, but I sort of liked it last year when it was more casual.”

“Says the girl who spent last night at the biggest party on campus.”

“That was just one night.”

“So is this.” She plants a hand on her hip. “You’re fine with a big production if it’s with Liam and his jock bros but not with your friends. Is that it?”

I don’t point out that the guest list is now well beyond our friend group. “That isn’t what I meant. This just doesn’t feel like us.”

“Exactly.”

I give her the big smile she’s waiting for. “It’s going to be a blast. The best party of the year.”

“You bet your ass.”

We get back in her car to head home. She sings along with the song on the radio while I stare out the window.

“Do you ever miss it?”

She stops her singing to glance over at me. “Miss what?”

“Going to the big parties and hanging out with the jocks.”

“No.”

“Even excluding Gavin and the awful roommate?”

“Not for a second.”

“It was that bad?” I had fun last night. Sure, I was happily drunk for most of the night, but the more time I spend with Jordan and Liam, the less I understand why she hates “them” so much.

“No, it was a blast until it wasn’t.”

“What does that mean?”

I’ve never pressed her on the topic, and I don’t expect her to divulge any more information.

“I was so naïve. I took everyone at their word and was genuinely surprised when they went against it. I guess that’s on me, but I knew myself well enough to know I couldn’t play the game.”

“What game?”

“You know, it’s like a guy says he likes you and that you’re different, spits all these sweet words at you, but really what he means is he wants to have sex with you. And I’m cool with that, but just say that instead.”

“Gavin?” I ask.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I mean, yes, I thought he liked me, and I still can’t believe he hooked up with Bailey. He always acted like he couldn’t stand her.”

I only met Violet’s roommate, Bailey, once, but she was pretty unbearable. She’s one of those people who’s always been pretty and popular, and treats it like it’s the most important part of her personality.

“But in this instance, I’m generalizing. We’d go to these parties, and it was so much fun, but then the next day, I was playing it all back to decipher what was real and what was drunken fun.”

My stomach dips. Was Jordan kissing me just drunken fun, or was it real?

“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Obviously, I dodged a bullet.” She stares straight ahead but mutters quietly, “Or an STD.”

I snort a laugh. “Are you really okay? You seemed pretty stressed over the blocked car situation last night.”

“Living next to him has not been as easy as I thought. Stupid me. I thought we’d continue never seeing each other as long as I stayed on my side of the fence. Instead, I’m running into him everywhere I go.”

“Sorry about that.”

“You’re not sorry at all.” She smiles.

“I really love that tree house, but I love you more. We could move.” It’s a weak offer, but if she really needed that, I’d do it.

“No way. He’s not running me off.” She pulls into the driveway and turns off the engine. “I know you like Liam and think he’s different, but just be careful. Okay?”