Page 79 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I actually feel … sexy. Confidently sexy. Bonnie claps her hands. “Love it. You have to get it. It’s on sale, too.”

“What would I wear it with?”

“The red thong it comes with and nothing else.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

I shove her but tell her if she buys something, I’ll buy it. Naturally, she ends up buying some very intense leather lingerie. We get our purchase, and I keep trying to hide the bag as we walk around.

“What if someone sees this!” I hiss.

“Come, on, Sky. I thought you no longer cared what people think?”

“I don’t!”

I don’t want to, anyway. It shouldn’t matter. It really shouldn’t matter. I’m leaving right after New Year’s. I hold my head higher until some girls laugh, and I duck back down. Bonnie hits my hip with hers.

“You are a twelve out of ten, Sky. Don’t hide it.”

But how can I believe that just because she says so? She eventually takes me home, blows me a kiss, then drives off. I hurry up the stairs and toss my bag in the closet. I’m not wearing it. No way am I wearing it. There’s absolutely no way Ash or anyone else will see me in a corset and a thong. I’m not that kind of girl.

“Sky, can you come downstairs, please?”

Dad?

I rush downstairs and find him staring at the empty fridge. He doesn’t turn to look at me, doesn’t move, doesn’t shut the door. I clear my throat. “Dad?”

“We should make a grocery list,” he murmurs, finally closing the door. “I’ll give you the money so you can go out and get some things.”

“Okay.”

“And we can do pizza tonight,” he continues. “Maybe watch a movie.”

“Okay …” Why do I still have rocks in my stomach as he talks to me? I feel like I’m bouncing on my toes anyway. “How are you feeling?”

“Good,” he nods. “Chase said you’re dating someone.”

“I … am.”

“You should invite him or her, I guess, over.”

“We’re not that serious yet.” I immediately pump the brakes.

“I see. Just be careful. I’d hate for you to get invested in someone and leave.” His eyes gloss for a moment. “You’re leaving on the first, right?”

“Of January. Classes start the sixth. Fingers crossed that I have that internship under my belt before then.”

“Right.” He sits at the table. “Right.”

“What kind of pizza do you want to order?”

“I’m not really hungry. I’ll leave my card on the table.” He sets it right there, then goes back upstairs.

Sitting down, I press the heels of my hands into my eyes as they burn. I sniff and force myself to swallow whatever I’m feeling. I’m leaving. I am. I have to. I can’t stay here to take care of my dad. I can’t stay here to make things easier on him. I deserve to go to college and take the steps I need for a better life.

But why do I feel so damn guilty about that? Dad’s an adult. He can handle living alone, even if he doesn’t love it. Don’t all parents want their kids to leave the nest? Don’t they count on it? Then, he can start dating and move on with his life.

My phone buzzes, and I open it, needing a distraction before I end up crying like a little girl. It’s a picture of Ash at the gym. He looks exhausted, sweaty as hell, with veins actually showing in his muscles.

The text that comes in next is simple: I’d rather be working out with you.

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