Page 27 of Don't Fall

Chapter Seven

Tessa

“There’s no way I’m wearing that.” But Drea ignores me.

“You can borrow my black booties to go with it. It’ll look hot as hell.” She throws the little black dress at me. I’m pretty sure I have t-shirts made of more material. Actually, the more I look at it, the more I wonder if maybe it is one of her t-shirts with a wide elastic band sewn into the bottom to keep my ass from showing every time I move.

“How come I’ve never seen you wear this?”

She laughs. “Yeah, because I would wear something that slutty.” I’m about to start yelling, when she adds, “I’m kidding, you prude. I haven’t worn it yet because I just went and picked it up today. Just for you.”

“You bought it for me?”

“Yes and no. I bought it so you could wear it tonight, after that, I want it back.” She shrugs. “Or, you know, just promise you’ll let me borrow it from time to time. Your need for a sexy black dress is probably more dire than mine.”

“Gee. Thanks.” She’s not wrong though. It’s not like Scott makes a habit of withholding sex from her. And she’s not out to attract anyone else. Hasn’t been since he gave her his letterman jacket back in high school.

“Now hurry up and change. I still have to do your hair and makeup.” She’s practically skipping on her way out.

“I’m pretty sure I can manage those on my own.”

“Jereme Winters, dude. No sex since Jereme Winters,” she reminds me just before the door falls shut behind her.

I’m thinking my lacking sex life isn’t really tied to the way I do my hair and makeup, but I suppose there’s no harm in going along with this experiment. Maybe I’ve been wrong all this time. Maybe it has nothing to do with the giggle. Maybe men don’t see me because I never learned how to work a curling iron. It’s possible. Really. One theory isn’t any more or less ridiculous than the other.

Twenty minutes later and Drea and I stroll out of her apartment and into the parking lot to the sounds of whistling and what I can only describe as vocal leering. In any event, I’m torn between feeling flattered and slightly violated.

“Holy hotness, Tessa. Who knew you had legs like that?” Scott’s got both arms wrapped around his girl as he says this. Even if he didn’t, I would know he isn’t so much paying me a compliment as he is genuinely asking.

“Yeah, thanks. Can we get going, or what?” I’m doing my best to pretend and not notice that Scott’s buddy Jason is still checking me out. If I didn’t know for a fact that he was sleeping with Jules a while back, I’d be over the moon about the way he’s eyeing me right now, but as it stands, that is so not an option. Aside from him, the only other guy here is Bart. I like Bart. Like I like warm wooly socks and big cushy pillows. He’s comfy with a comfy personality. Hot firefighter or not, the warm feeling just isn’t ever going to reach a boiling point between us.

“We’re still waiting on some people,” Drea explains.

“I thought we were meeting the other guys at The Basement.” My car is already at max capacity with everyone here, and we all know I’ll be driving tonight.

“We’re meeting my boys there. Jules is the one that’s still missing,” Scott says, glancing up toward her apartment. It’s pretty clear he’s anxious to get this night rolling. I can relate. Somehow, the thought of Lane catching a glimpse of me in this getup has me mortified. Like he would know exactly why I’m dressed like this. And given his lack of filter and non-stop curiosity, he would bring it up. Not in public, but later tonight, over coffee. For which I will be wearing sweatpants.

“There she is.” Drea points at the stairs just as a pair of feet come down the steps. Followed closely by another.

“Who’s that with her?” And how in the hell do they think they’re all fitting in the backseat of my little Honda?

No one has to answer me though. I can see who it is for myself now. Lord, let the earth open up and swallow me whole.

“Like my date?” Jules winks as she bumps her hip into mine playfully. Unlike Drea and me, she is not a student. Graduated two years ago.

“Not particularly.”

“Tessa!” Drea gapes at me as if she’s shocked or something. No one else is. Not even him.

“Nice to see you too, Tessa.”

“Whatever, Mike.” I grin. I’ve never used someone’s name as an insult before. “Meanwhile, did you forget you’re not supposed to fraternize with students?”

Scott scowls at me. “Most of us aren’t students.”

Lane shrugs, grinning back at me. “Close enough.”

“Well, you’re not riding with me,” I announce as if it’s still a small sort of victory. It’s not.

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