Page 15 of Corrupt Me

“Are you sure it’s the right address?” Anna asked. She peeked through the window, studying the building. “I think this is?—”

“What is the address again?” Blaine asked, cutting his wife off who still eyed the building through her sunglasses.

“223 West College Avenue,” I replied, chewing on my lip.

“This is it,” Blaine assured, turning the engine off. “Let’s talk to the resident adviser to verify there isn’t a mix-up.”

Five minutes later, the resident adviser, Marissa, checked her iPad, scanning the list of names. “Yup. Everly Scott. I have you right here, 3B. You’re rooming with Samantha Evanston?” she asked, lifting her gaze from the tablet. The way she gripped the thing I had a feeling she never went anywhere without it.

Marissa looked like a smart cheerleader if there was such a thing. She wore a pair of booty jean shorts that accentuated herlong golden legs and a white tank. Marissa had not only the body of a cheerleader but also that rah-rah pep in her voice. Her not-so-natural blonde hair was knotted into a messy bun on top of her head, loose pieces framing her face. The studious glasses she wore only enhanced the deep hue of blue in her eyes, hence the smart cheerleader vibe.

“Sam,” I corrected.

“Good. She isn’t here yet but is on the same floor in the room next to yours, 3C. It’s easier to move in at different times than your roommate.” Marissa handed me a key. “If you lose this or get locked out, there’s a charge for a replacement. The elevator is on the right, which makes it easy to move stuff in. Each floor has three rooms, all fully furnished. On the first floor is a full kitchen and TV room as well as an entertainment center with a pool table and stuff. You and...Sam,” she said. “Share a bathroom with 3A, but you each have your own bedroom that includes a desk.”

I couldn’t believe it. My own room? In a house? What the hell? Where were the first-year dorms? Sam and I figured we’d be sharing a room and hauling to a communal bathroom. “Don’t freshmen usually live in the dorms?” I asked even though I seriously wanted to live here. After seeing it, who wouldn’t want to?

Marissa smiled brightly. “Usually, but there are exceptions. And it seems you, Everly, are an exception.” Something in her delivery made me believe this whole upgraded room thing had been arranged.

But why? My brows pinched together in puzzlement. “Did you guys do this?” I asked, turning to Blaine and Anna.

They looked dumbfounded. “Perhaps it was your father,” Blaine suggested.

“You know he only wants the best for you,” Anna added encouragingly.

Only the best for a daughter he barely saw and couldn’t stand to look at. I reminded him too much of his late wife.

I took the key from Marissa, deciding I’d figure out how and who made this happen later. I wasn’t thrilled at starting my first year of college as someone who bought her way to the top. That wasn’t me. Dad might do business that way, but I refused to let money be the only driving factor in my life.

“There’s only one other bedroom on the third floor, so you shouldn’t have any problems with noise. It is one of the perks of living on the top floor. I think you’ll enjoy living here in Thorn Hall.” Marissa left us to start carrying up boxes and get settled into my dorm. Correction. It was more like a fucking apartment.

I opened the door to 3B and stood in the doorway, staring at the large bedroom, nearly almost as big as the one I had at home. The furnishings were simple and neutral. Old but well-preserved oak wood stretched across the floors. A built-in desk nestled into one corner opposite the full-size bed flanked by two windows. There was a door housing a decent-sized closet, bigger than I anticipated.

This was nothing like the college dorm I’d envisioned.

“Wow, Everly. It’s wonderful. You and Sam are going to make so many memories here.” Anna’s voice quivered slightly, and I sensed she was about to get emotional, which would, in turn, make me cry.

Having my own room came with advantages, like not having to listen to Sam hook up with whichever guy or girl caught her eye that week. I loved how adventurous Sam was and how she knew exactly who she was. Not me. I couldn’t even zero down my major. Indecisive should have been my middle name.

For the next half hour, Blaine and Anna helped me haul all of my crap up into my bedroom. Other than Marissa, I only saw one other person wandering through the house. A guy. He was polite and seemed down to earth. Cute, but not really my type.Sam, on the other hand, would definitely be getting to know her housemates better. I shook my head just thinking about her.

I hadn’t brought a whole lot of stuff, assuming I’d be living basically out of a shoebox. I declined Anna’s offer to help me unpack everything. I wanted to get the goodbyes out of the way and have a few moments alone in my apartment before the whirlwind known as Sam blew in.

Anna pulled me in for a long hug, wiping away the glistening tears that started to gather in her eyes as she pulled back. “If you need anything, promise you’ll call. Your mother would be so proud.”

My throat closed at the mention of Mom, and I nodded. I was trying hard not to think about her today. She would have been here, unlike my father, who assumed I could handle this on my own. Since her death, business was his life. It seemed like work was the only thing that kept him going. “I will,” I agreed even though I had no intention of taking her up on it. My independence started now. The Malones had already done too much for me, and it was time I started to find my own path. “Tell Preston I wish him luck at school,” I said, giving Blaine a quick hug.

Anna sniffled, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I will. Whatever is going on between you, I know the two of you will work it out. There aren’t two people who were more made for each other than you and Preston.”

Ugh. This was exactly what I wanted to avoid.

I hadn’t mentioned our breakup, assuming Preston would have told them, but from the sound of it, Anna was hopeful we’d get back together. Or she didn’t know. I didn’t want to find out.

When I was finally alone, I flopped on the bed and checked the time. Sam was supposed to have been here an hour ago. I bit my lower lip and shot her a quick text asking where she was. I shifted to my side, propping my head upon my hand as I scannedthe storage bins. I should start unpacking, but... My phone lit up, and I unlocked the screen to read Sam’s response, happy for the excuse to do something other than put my shit away.

Sam:

Bad news. Flat tire. I’m not going to be able to make it up there until tomorrow.

---