Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I’m not saying that sex is a bad thing or that I never want to do it. It’s just, I want to find someone worth giving myself to. I don’t want to sleep with hundreds of guys.”
Her words hit me like a semi-truck. Someone worth giving herself to…
That is definitely not me. I don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve her.
Guilt gnaws at my insides. I’ve never felt so guilty, so immoral, and vicious for what I did. I tried to take that part of her. Take something she treasures, and for what? A stupid bet. I’m a prick. I don’t even deserve her friendship, but I’m too selfish to let that go. Now that she’s in my web, I can’t release her. I have to keep her close.
“Maybe that’s just something I hide behind.” She shrugs. “Maybe I should just try to be more like everyone else and just get it over with–”
“No! Don’t say that. You are right. You should give it to someone worth giving it to. Don’t be like everyone else. Don’t ever be anything other than you. If it’s that important to you, then whoever you find will wait.”
She frowns, pushing her glasses up her nose.
“But you’re right, I’ll never find anyone if I stay hidden in my room.”
“You just need to come out of your shell a bit.”
“How am I going to do that?”
“That’s one thing I can help you with.” I grin, I owe her this. “If you want. If you think I’m worthy of being your friend.”
“Just friends?” She raises her eyebrows.
“Just friends.”
“Have you ever been just friends with a girl?”
The question makes me laugh. “No, but I’ll make an exception for you, Nerd.”
I still can’t believe I agreed to be just friends with Blair, but I know it’s the right thing to do. When I told Murphy about it, the fucker laughed so hard, he fell off the couch.
He’s still catching his breath from his laugh attack when he asks, “So, the bet is off?”
“Yes, it’s off,” I confirm. “We’re just friends.”
“And explain to me how that is supposed to work exactly.”
“Same way, we are friends. Just switch you out with a girl.”
“But I don’t have a vagina. She does.”
I snort. “Congrats, you know basic biology.”
“If she’s a friend, same as the guys, then you’re gonna invite her to the party tonight, right?”
Swallowing down my annoyance, I shrug. “Sure, why not. We can just hang out if she wants to.”
“Why don’t you text her now and ask?” He pushes. Asshole.
“Fine.” I take out my phone and start typing. I don’t want him to call my bluff.
Me: Hey, want to hang out tonight? There is a party at a friend’s house. Me and the guys are going. Wanna tag along?
She answers almost immediately.
Nerd: Last time I went to a party, some douchebag hit on me. Had to pour a beer over his head to get rid of him.
Me: Sounds like a real prick. I’ll make sure he doesn’t show up again.
This time it takes her longer to answer. I can imagine her sitting in her room, biting her lip, trying to decide whether to go or not. Part of me hopes she says yes, and the other hopes she says no. I’m a greedy fucker. I don’t want my friends to meet her or get to know her, but she needs to get out, and I’d love to be the guy to take her to a party, to watch over her and make sure nothing bad happens. I’ll be her wingman.
Nerd: Okay. I’ll come.
Me: Cool, we’ll pick you up in an hour.
“She’s coming with us,” I tell Murphy.
“Great! Let’s go pick her up then.” He grins from ear to ear.
“Great,” I echo his word, keeping my voice flat, so he doesn’t know how irritated I am. He knows this is a front, that I definitely don’t want to be just friends with her.
“You sure you don’t like her as more than a friend?”
“Positive.” I try to convince him, gritting my teeth.
He nods, seeming to finally believe me.
Great, now I only have to convince myself.
15
Blair
Stepping outside the dorm, I shiver as brisk air blows up my dress. I’m already regretting wearing it. It’s nothing sexy. A simple summer dress and sandals. It’s the cutest thing I could find. Smoothing a hand down the front, I hope it looks okay. I hope I look okay. Along with the dress and shoes, I applied some light makeup, nothing crazy or eye-catching. I feel different, and a smile pulls at my lips.
I can’t believe I agreed to go to a party with a guy as friends! It feels wrong.
Cage’s truck is already parked up front when I walk down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. He’s leaning against the side casually with his hands in his pockets, watching me approach with wary eyes.