Tutoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #1)(66)

Dahlia and Jane wait for Violet’s approval. Tonight is her baby, and I want it to happen just like she envisioned.

“Okay,” she says finally. “But no to any dorm lounge or pizza place.”

She shudders.

“I promise. No dorms and no greasy food places.” With a smile, I race upstairs. I have a Wallflower Ball to save.





28





DAISY





It takes all morning to move the party from the banquet room on campus to the gym of The White House. It’s located on the second floor, so we’ll be at Gavin’s party but in our own area where Violet won’t have to worry about mingling.

Gavin even agreed to block off the stairs so people don’t wander up to see what’s going on. It isn’t perfect, but it stays within Violet’s constraints of not being a pizza place or dorm lounge.

A smile tugs at his lips, and his brown eyes crinkle at the corners as he looks around his transformed basketball court. “This is epic. We should throw more parties in here.”

“Thank you for letting us use the space.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Oh, and happy twenty-first!”

His smile lifts. “Thanks. Speaking of, I better go drink some more water and Gatorade. It’s going to be a long night.”

“Yeah, it is,” Jordan says, coming up behind me. “Twenty-one shots with your name on them.”

Gavin groans, but his smile pops right back up. “Catch you guys later.”

“Do you have to go get ready now?” Jordan asks when he’s gone. He faces me and runs his hands down my arms. I don’t know how I would have pulled this off without him. When I told him my plan, he rounded up guys and made it happen.

“Yeah, I already missed our nail, hair, and makeup appointments.”

“Whoa, that’s a lot of appointments.”

“Tonight is a big night,” I say, and nuzzle into his chest. “I’m so glad you’re coming.”

“And miss seeing you in that yellow dress?”

My smile widens as I look up at him. “You’re pretty wonderful.”

“Me?” His laughter vibrates in his chest. I like the way it feels against mine.

“Yep.”

“I think you have me confused.”

“I don’t.” I wrap my arms around his back and place my head over his heart. It thumps quietly in a steady rhythm that somehow makes mine beat faster.

He kisses the top of my head and then fists my hair, tugging it gently until I look up at him. “I might have my moments, but right now, it’s purely selfish. I get hard every time I think about you playing dress up in those big, poofy dresses. The number of times I’ve looked at the pic of you in the red dress basically makes it porn.” He sucks on my bottom lip.

Butterflies swoop low in my belly. “You kept it?”

“Fuck yeah, I did. I think I wanted you long before I was willing to admit it.”

“Same.”

He kisses me again, and I’m perfectly content to stay here, but he pulls back, and I know I need to head home.

“Go get ready,” he says. “Violet’s probably in a fit that you’re still gone, and I have a bottle of Jager to buy.”

“Okay.” I start to go, and he grabs my hand and flings me back to him for one more kiss.

“Okay, seriously, now.” He steps back and shoves his hands in his pocket. “Save me the first slow dance.”





At seven-forty-five, four wallflowers are dressed and ready for the ball. We look pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. And I do. Violet is so freaking talented. We’re all wearing her creations. And Dahlia made us all masks to match our dresses.

“You missed all the pampering,” Jane says with a pout. She wiggles her fingers in front of me, showing off her manicure.

“Oooh, pretty.”

“I think you look gorgeous, and you didn’t have to spend three hours sitting still while people poked and prodded at you.” Dahlia touches a curl hanging over my shoulder.

Her hair is sleek and straight, and her eye makeup is thick and black. She looks beautiful, but I can tell she’s far less comfortable with all of it than Jane and Violet.

“Thanks. I’m sad I didn’t get to spend the day with you all, but everything is set for tonight.” I check the time. “We should go.”

“How are we going to let everyone know the new location?” Violet asks. I still haven’t told her where we’re going, and now that the party is minutes away, I’m nervous.

“I thought of that,” I say. “Dahlia and I will go to the original location. I hired a bus that will bring everyone. You and Jane will be there putting any of your last-minute touches on it.”

“Bring them where?” Violet whines through an excited smile. “Where are we going?”

“You’re just about to see.” We walk outside, and I take off down the sidewalk.

They follow, but Vi asks, “Why are we walking? Are we meeting an Uber or something?”

I walk to the front of The White House, where a path to their front door splits off from the sidewalk. I stare back at my friends.

My pulse bounces and my hands shake as I wave toward the big party house next to ours. “Ta-da!”