Page 32 of Leather & Lace

“Is this seat taken?” he asks with a nervous smile on his face.

“No, feel free.” I gestured to him to join. We are quiet for a few minutes before we both try to talk at the same time.

We both let out a little laugh, “Let me just start okay, Brook?” I am glad to see him, to know he is okay. To see a familiar face again. “I just want to say I am truly sorry for that night. I wasn’t in my right mind. Hell, I hardly remember any of it. But I shouldn’t have pushed myself on to you.” Thinking about it has my skin crawling.

“No, Chase, you shouldn’t have. But it’s in the past. I am sorry as well. What happened to you was so out of line. What he did to you was insane and I know he wasn’t happy with himself after it all. If I were you, I would probably lay off the alcohol.”

My words trail off as I give him a small smile. His eyes lock on mine as he gently grabs my chin, tears starting to swell in his eyes.

“I am okay. What’s done is done. Nothing is your fault, Brook. You can’t control what he does. And as for the drinking, I am done. I also moved out and am living back on campus now.” I nod my head in understanding.

“That is probably for the best. I doubt you two will be friends again anytime soon.”

“I shouldn’t have even said anything to you about him. It wasn’t my place.” Dropping his hand from my face, he looks off as if remembering the conversation.

“No, Chase, you shouldn’t have, but that is in the past. I have already moved on.” He gives me a sincere smile and lowers his head to look at the ground. “I am just glad you are okay,” I say as I look at him again.

I give him a sweet smile and then continue, “so, have you and Eli talked about it at all?” I’m not sure if he is willing to open up about it.

“Nah, I haven’t heard from him, which is probably for the best.” My heart drops a little to have no idea what he is up to. “You really loved him, huh?” he asks, looking down at me.

“I think I felt a lot of things too quickly. Lust, love, who knows? It was over before I could ever figure that out.” Looking back to my book, I turn the page.

“Well, just know, Brook, I never would have hurt you like that.” Looking back up at him, I see it. I see his sincerity in that statement. If I was a smart woman, I would give him my full heart, give him everything I have, but that’s not the case. I gave away too much that it wouldn’t be fair to him.

Looking into his eyes I say, “I know, Chase. And you don’t understand how much that means to me. But you are my friend. I don’t want to lose that.” I see the little glimmer of hope leave his eyes quickly. Nodding his head, he stands to leave.

“You are fucking perfect, Brook. Don’t let any asshole make you feel any less.” Then he turns and leaves before Ican reply. Tears start to sting my eyes. I quickly gathered my books and backpack and made my way to the ladies bathroom. Running into the stall, I quickly locked the door behind me and sat on the toilet.

Tears fall down my eyes as I try to keep my sobs quiet. As I sit there, the bathroom door opens as a group of girls come in laughing and chatting.

“Yeah, Eli is having another big party tonight. I guess it’s a themed party. Leather and Lace.” The girls giggle in unison. “Yeah, I bet he is going to be on the prowl tonight since I heard he dropped Ashley.” I cup my hands over my mouth, trying to not make a sound.

“Girl, you already know I will be first in line for his fine ass.” They all giggle again. “Only if you beat me to him.” I hear them doing a high pitch squeal, then open the door and leave. Jumping up and out of the stall, I make my way to our dorm where I find Jenny, sitting on her bed typing on her laptop.

Busting through the door, I shout out, “Get ready, bitch, we are going to a party.”

CHAPTER 18

BROOKLYN

Staring at me with her mouth wide open, she says, “Okay, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” She jumps out of her bed with excitement.

Looking over to her I say, “I heard some girls in the bathroom talking about Eli having a themed party tonight. Leather and Lace.” She gives me a side glance, then steps back from her closet.

“Okay, wait, youwantto see him again?” Worry and anger glisten in her frosty eyes.

“Look, for me to truly move on, I need to make sure, without a doubt, what I feel for him is all bullshit. Maybe tonight will help me prove that. So, that means I need you to make me the sluttiest, and most alluring woman he will ever lay his eyes on.” Giving me an evil smile, she turns to me, holding a black lace lingerie set and matching trench coat in her hands.

“Welcome to the dark side, bitch.”

The streets are packed again with cars on either side. A seductive red glow is flowing from inside the house, giving a red-light district type of vibe. The heels I am wearing are six-inch stilettos, making my legs look a mile long.

I have thigh-high black nylons on, supported by a garter belt holding them in place. A see-through black lace lingerie set that shows everything, especially my ass. On my nipples, I wear two black x stickers to cover them.

I have never felt more sexy or powerful in my whole damn life. My makeup is smoky with a dark red lip, hair is curled and falls to the center of my back.

Making our way through the house, everything is crimson. Every room we walk through, to even the lights on the back deck. The familiar scent of marijuana fills my senses like a thick fog. The DJ is set up in the living room, blaring The Weeknd’sParty Monster, while girls in skimpy outfits grind on the relaxing men. I spot Jenny in the kitchen with Dane, showing off and teasing him in her red lingerie outfit. Poor guy looks like his eyes are about to pop out of his fucking head.

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