Page 7 of His Fractured Girl

“Uh-oh. What happened?” Torrin asks as soon as I enter the room. She’s all dressed up like she’s going out, and there’s a pile of clothes on her bed like she’s been trying on every outfit she owns.

“I received a shitty grade on my assignment and I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull it up.” I leave out the part of being asked out by the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen and how the lid has been taken off the pot of my memories.

“Aww, I’m sorry, Soph.” Torrin comes hobbling over in her heels to give me a hug. She truly is the sweetest girl I’ve ever met. Genuine and kind. And probably the most beautiful. “How about you come out with me tonight and have a little fun?”Fun. That seems to be the word of the day.

“Where are you going?” I look down at her tight little black dress and silver stilettos. Wherever she’s headed is fancy, which is not my scene. Plus, I’m not in the headspace for going out.

“My brother is throwing a party to celebrate the team and I’m going to crash it.”

And that sounds like trouble waiting to happen. Lukas doesn’t want her going to parties, and I doubt he wants his kid sister hanging around with all his friends. As soon as she walks in, he’s going to send her right on back home, and then tomorrow he’ll be stopping by to give her one of his bossy lectures.

“Won’t he get mad when he sees you there, Torre?”

She shrugs and turns back toward the mirror. “He’s going to have so many people there, he won’t even notice me in the crowd.”

My eyes shoot straight down to her skintight dress. There’s no way she won’t be noticed. Torrin is a knockout. Long legs, blonde hair, blue eyes. And in that dress…Lukas will know she’s there by the crowd of guys swarming around her.

“If you don’t want to be noticed, you should probably change. I don’t think a dress is appropriate for a football party.” Maybe for a fraternity formal or an evening gala. But a bunch of football players drinking? She’d be better off showing up in one of her brother’s jerseys and jeans.

“Ugh.” Her shoulders drop. “You’re right. See…” She turns and starts digging through the pile of clothes again. “I don’t even know what to wear to a party because I’m never allowed to go to them.”

“Here.” I walk over and pull out a pair of her jeans and a cute bodysuit matching the team colors. “Wear this with your tan ankle boots.”

“Thanks.” She smiles, giving me another hug. “So, does that mean you’ll go with me?”

Go with her? I just got done telling Travis I don’t do parties.

“Please? I don’t want to show up alone. And Lukas is always nicer to me when you’re around.”

I definitely don’t like the idea of her showing up alone either. Especially if she’s going to be drinking. Guys will be trying to take advantage, and her brother may be too busy hosting or locked in his room with a girl to even notice some guy forcing himself on her. She’s too nice and too pretty. And way too naïve.

“Any chance I can convince you to stay in instead? We can have a dessert-making competition.” I know it’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try. But when she gives me her puppy dog eyes, my stomach drops.

“I’m dying to know what it’s like, Soph. And since it’s at my brother’s house, it feels like it will be safe.” Unless she stands by Lukas’s side all night, she’s not safe from anything. “You don’t have to come. But I really don’t want to go alone.”

“Okay,” I sigh. There’s no way I’m going to get her to change her mind, and I won’t let her go into a lion’s den alone. “But when the clock strikes midnight, we turn into pumpkins.”

“Deal!” She smiles, skipping back into the bathroom to change. Now, I need to figure out what I’m going to wear. I’d be fine in a ski mask and a snow parka so guys will leave me alone, but then Lukas will definitely know we’re there. I need an outfit that will help me blend in. And will keep the guys from staring at my chest.

2

Travis

“Yo, man! Cheers to us for being undefeated so far!” Brennon clinks his bottle to mine. He’s been the best addition to the team. Usually, freshmen come in overly cocky and under-skilled, but he’s truly talented. Not to mention as humble as they come.

“We’re having a great season.” I nod, taking a sip of my beer. “And you’ve had some amazing plays, by the way.”

“Thanks, man. Makes it easy when you’re playing with the best.”

I look across the room at Lukas. He’s the best one on our team. I’ve never seen anyone so talented on the field, which is why he’s going to be first pick in the draft. I’ll bet my left nut on it.

“So, where’s Willow?” I ask, looking around for his girlfriend. “Did she not come?”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “She has an exam to study for, so she couldn’t make it out tonight. Besides…” His smile drops. “Parties aren’t really her thing.” That’s the second time I’ve heard that today. Willow should hang out with Sophie; they’re two peas in a pod. Driven as all get out. Both pretty as hell. Though in my biased opinion, Sophie is prettier.

I still can’t get that girl off my mind. And I’m definitely still burned about her shooting me down. It’s not something I expected. And definitely not the response I’m used to when it comes to women.

“Will Willow get to come to the game this weekend?” We’re playing our biggest rivals, and if we beat them, we should be a shoo-in for the playoffs.

---