Page 14 of The Chemistry of Us

Going from being the trash to the trophy was weird, and I never felt like I belonged in either world.

Until him.

Shit!

He wasn’t the same Vaughan, and I sure as hell was not the same girl.

Vaughan had seen it once—not on me, but in my room—and begged me to wear it for him. Now he would be begging for something pretty soon, and maybe I’d feel a bit vindicated with all the anger between us. Perhaps I would win and be the person to put this to rest once and for all.

The dress was for me, not him. It was a statement I wasn’t backing down or sucking his dick for. I’d cheerfully march into the fiery flames when I was the last person in the world, and he refused to rescue me but watched me burn in the flames instead.

Music started pumping so loud through the house that I nearly ripped the dress before even getting a chance to put it on. I added some nude heels, black eyeliner, mascara, blush, and lip gloss. After looking in the mirror and taking myself in, I took a deep breath and jerked open the door to my room, scaring the shit out of who I assumed was a freshman by his inability to act calm when he saw my breasts on full display.

“Hey.” I smiled.

“I’m in love,” he whispered.

“Dumbass.” His friend smacked him on the chest. “She’s too hot for you, and you always fall in love. If she’s in any of these rooms, it means the captain already peed on her, and you do not want to piss off Vaughan.”

With a grin, I strode downstairs through the condo, making sure my ass swayed with every step I took.

Around thirty people milled about in the kitchen and living room, eating food and watching sports. Pizza boxes were scattered around with paper plates, and an ungodly numberof cups and liquor bottles were stashed on their fancy granite bar countertop. Most everyone just seemed chill, playing video games and laughing. Nobody was trashing the place, meaning the football team knew how to host a party without destruction.

All eyes were on me as I snuck down the hall in search of Vaughan. I was a bit overdressed and trying to fight my insecurity when I rounded the corner and ran directly into my other roommate, Brady.

He jerked back, spilling beer on his arm, then looked me up and down at least four times before he shook his head.

“I’m sorry, I can’t allow this dress or you outside right now. He’ll shit a brick, and we need those bricks to keep the condo building intact.”

“He’ll?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about. I only just met you this morning, and I already know if you go out there dressed like you’re ready to be fucked, it won’t go over well.”

I rolled my eyes. “Brady, stop being difficult and move.”

“No.” He set his beer on the hall table and braced my arms with both hands. “I don’t think you understand.” His eyes roamed down my body again. “I don’t think I understand either. No, never mind. I’m not hitting on you. You just look so different, and it’s the sort of glow-up that causes a spike in testosterone, which, if you take a hard look around, we already have way too much of. Now go change.”

“Are you for real?”

“Yes. And I’d like to keep the captain of our football team out of jail. Do you understand what I’m saying? I don’t think you want to be responsible for us losing games if Van goes to jail for killing anyone for just looking at you.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“I wish I were. Van has anger issues, and the whole world knows it. Why are you trying to provoke him?”

“Why not?”

“Is this your plan? I thought you were his tutor, not his destruction?”

“Why can’t I be both?”

“Tru, don’t start a war you can’t win.”

“Brady, don’t involve yourself in something that doesn’t concern you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Anything having to do with our team captain concerns me.”

“Maybe I’m not wearing this dress for Vaughan.”

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