So now I have to be more careful. I’ve started wearing a ball cap so I can move around campus unnoticed. It’s completely ridiculous.
Even I know I’m not that fucking interesting.
I came here tonight prepared to celebrate the kick off to yet another great year of college. Probably my last. I was going to down a few beers, maybe get laid, but I don’t think that’s going to happen anymore. Even though I have two beautiful women wrapped up in my arms, screwing them is the last thing on my mind.
Like a heat seeking missile, my eyes zero in on the reason for my sudden disinterest.
That’s the moment I see that fuckwad lacrosse player, Finn McKenzie, dragging Ivy away from where she’d just been dancing. Damn, I should have never taken my eyes off her.
“Hey,” Blondie gasps as I pull away from the pair of them without any explanation.
“King!” The brunette whines, “Where are you going? I thought we were going to-”
Not wanting to take my eyes off her again, I throw a halfhearted apology over my shoulder. “Sorry, ladies. A friend needs me.”
Well… that statement is entirely up for interpretation.
What I’ve learned about Ivy is that she can be prickly and isn’t impressed by my status like everyone else seems to be. And until I get a handle on what my game plan with her is, I’m not about to watch some douchebag player like Finn McKenzie swoop in and steal her away.
Now, once I’m finished with her, he’s more than welcome to take her off my hands...
Even though this party is jammed packed, the crowd parts so that I have a clear path leading straight to Ivy. People are slapping my shoulder and back in greeting as I pass by. I don’t bother acknowledging any of them. My eyes are totally focused on the way Finn is manhandling her upper arm.
I don’t like it. Not one damn bit.
That’s just one of the many differences between McKenzie and me. He’s all brute strength and I’m all finesse. Unless we’re on the football field. Then I’ll pound your ass just for looking at me sideways.
In case you haven’t realized it- I don’t care for Finn McKenzie. The guy is a total tool. He’s a lacrosse player and thinks he’s a big shit around here. Clearly it chafes his ass that I’m the bigger shit. The dude thinks everything between us is a pissing match. And normally, I’m more than happy to oblige and give him a run for his money…
But that’s not going to happen with Ivy. Until I get my head wrapped around her, she’s mine. I’m calling dibs.
The music is loud and people are laughing, talking, and shouting all around us. I slide in besides Ivy before snaking an arm around her. Finn blinks in surprise at my sudden arrival on the scene. I can’t help but smirk in return.
Sure, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to see Ivy get messed up with Finn and then there’s another part that merely enjoys fucking with him. Sometimes it really is the simple pleasures in life you have to take the time to enjoy.
Finn’s eyes narrow at me before sliding angrily back to Ivy. “Do you know this guy?”
I almost grin but don’t, because even though I just rode to the party with this girl and had my arm wrapped around her, she’s blinking her eyes at me as if she doesn’t know who the hell I am. Which would really make me look like some dipshit loser in front of Finn.
And that is just not a risk I’m willing to take.
So I pull her a little tighter against me before quickly cutting in, “Ivy and I have a class together.” Then I add a slow sly smile meant to get under his skin. “And we also happen to be neighbors.”
If it’s possible, his eyes narrow even further until they’re practically slits. If the sudden tick in his jaw is any indication, then, yeah, I’m totally getting to him.
“Well, that’s great but we’re having a private conversation over here. So, why don’t you take off, King. I’m sure there are a dozen groupie skanks waiting in line to get laid by the King of Campus.”
Ivy flinches at his ugly words.
My eyes drill into Finn’s as I ask Ivy in a tightly strung voice, “Is this guy bothering you, sweetheart?”
The endearment has Finn’s entire face turning an ugly mottled shade of red like he’s on the verge of blowing a gasket. I can’t say his reaction doesn’t please me.
He nods his head towards the door. “Let’s get out of here, Ivy, so we can talk without all this noise.”
Over my dead body that’s happening. Unconsciously my hold on her tightens.
For the first time since I’ve slid my arm around Ivy, she finally speaks up. “Now’s not really a good time, Finn.”