Page 7 of Falling For Temptation

Her eyes snap to mine, darker than before. “Why? He was a piece of shit. I’m glad I never met him. He’s just one less miserable creep I’ve had to deal with.” She snaps the notebook closed. “Kenna, didn’t you say there was a freshman party going on, on Friday?”

Kenna perks up, and I get the feeling Harley is changing the subject due to her own discomfort.

“Yes, girl! We are going too. It’s a beach party. I have the cutest bikini for it.” She looks at me and Levi, grinning. “You guys have to come with us! It’s at the Kappa Betas’ house. I’m rushing, but my cousin Lexi is a member, so she said I’m a sure thing,” she animatedly tells us.

“Ugh, you are so lucky. You have to swear to put a good word in for me. I will not rush for any, except for the Kappa Betas or the Alpha Phis. I refuse to be a part of any others,” Maya whines with a pouting face.

I have no earthly idea what they are discussing. It sounds like some kind of club. I’ve never heard of a bikini, but since she said “beach party,” I’m assuming it’s a bathing suit. My sisters always wear T-shirts and long shorts when we swim in the tank on our farm. I’m betting a filthy, cow-manure-filled water hole in the ground isn’t the location of this college party.

I look at Levi, whose head is still downturned, but his cheeks have reddened.

Kenna looks back up at dark-haired Harley and says, “Please tell me you are going! I need you there. They will totally dig your look. I need to be the girl with the badass, tattooed friend. The guys are going to swarm you, for sure. You should wear a red bikini—that’s your best color.” Her eyes are on Harley, begging.

I look over at Harley, who shrugs and says, “I guess. I don’t have work.”

Kenna claps her hands and excitedly looks at me and Levi.

“You guys have to come. I swear they’ll go crazy over y’all too,” Kenna insists.

“I, uh, if it’s a beach party, I didn’t pack a swimsuit.” I don’t want to admit that I don’t own one. We always just swam in shorts.

“You came to a university in Texas without swim trunks?” Maya looks doubtfully at me.

“I just didn’t think there would be a tank anywhere around…on campus.”

I know I sound like a stupid hick. I feel like not owning swim trunks would be worse for some reason.

Kenna giggles, “Well, the good news is, you’re a guy. Just wear your jeans without a shirt.”

I can’t imagine wearing that to a party, but I nod in agreement. I glance at Harley and notice she’s got pink cheeks.

5

Harley

On Friday evening, my phone dings as a text comes in.

Unknown: baby come back, let me fix it. it’ll be different this time

I immediately block the number with shaky hands. How did he get my new one? I take several calming breaths as Kenna walks into the room. I will not panic. He still doesn’t know where I am. Does he?

“Here it is, Har. Wear this body necklace too.”

She tosses a tiny crimson bikini at me. I see her lay the shimmery gold chain on my small desk. Since when did we become friends who lend clothes? I would protest verbally, but since her side of the closet is stuffed to the brim and mine is nearly empty, this can only benefit me.

She’s wearing a sexy leopard-print one-piece with triangle-shaped cups and high thigh-cut bottoms. Most of the sides are cut out.

“What happened to the bikini?” I question as I strip off my clothes. Usually, I’d rather lie in bed, watching Dexter, but for some reason, I feel like going tonight.

She’s braiding her hair up into two matching French braids down the back of her head.

“I, uh, well, since Levi is so shy, I thought, you know…maybe a little less skin would make him feel more comfortable, talking to me. It’s probably stupid,” she confesses.

I try not to let my face show my amusement. I tie up the side of my bottoms over my hip.

“I mean, yeah, maybe. I think he’s just really shy. You still look hot in that suit. Who cares what guys think, right?” I’m trying to console myself too.

Adam doesn’t seem like the type to want the girl in the tiny red bikini. Which I find strangely appealing, but I’m still wearing it. I don’t want him.

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