Page 127 of I Blame the Rival

My roommate groans, “Don’t tell me you bought me a romance book. That shit is not going to cut it tonight.”

“There are quite a few dark romances I think you would really enjoy.” At her pinched expression I let out laugh, “But no. That’s not your surprise.”

Cecelia narrows her eyes and Ava lets out a hoot.

“The virgin has a dark side to her.”

“She’s not a virgin.” Cecelia crosses her arms, giving her friend a glare, “And she can be a bitch sometimes. Don’t go sprouting shit you don’t know.”

I wouldn’t say being called a bitch is a compliment, but looking at the smile Cecelia sends my way, I’m pretty sure it was meant to be one.

“Uh, right. Who’s ready to hit the road?”

Maren claps her hands, “Let’s do this!”

The four of us leave the residence building together, amiably talking about the fast approaching finals when my phone starts to buzz.

NICO: [image]

NICO: Is two chains too many?

NICO: Or should I push for three?

My face splits into a grin when I pull open the photo, studying the glittering chains marking his bare torso. It’s hard to tell if he’s wearing a shirt or if it’s completely unbuttoned.

ME: How many buttons will be undone?

NICO: Mi amor, come on. Always three.

I laugh, quickly typing a response.

ME: Two chains is classy, three is slutty.

NICO: Slutty it is.

ME: Date night?

NICO: You know it, babe.

NICO: What are you up to tonight?

“We’re going to leave your ass in this parking lot if you don’t get in.”

Cecelia shouts the threat from the passenger seat and I laugh, dropping my phone back into my purse and rejoining the group of girls I’ve grown to call my friends.

“Vector, I’d like you to meet my roommate.”

Stepping to the side, I let her take over the introduction. Cecelia smiles coyly at him, flicking a strand of green hair over her shoulder.

“Nice to meet you, Vector. I heard you’re quite the lacrosse player.”

He grins, “And I heard you’re from the rival school. Not scared to be in enemy territory?”

“I’ve always found enemy lines to be more interesting.”

Biting back a laugh, I turn and see Ava and Maren staring at me with wide eyes. When I brought them over to meet the varsity team, it took them a second for them to realize I wasn’t joking. Skylar had told me exactly what part of the nightclub the lacrosse team hangs out in, so it was pretty easy to introduce my roommate to her rival crush.

“Hey, Gorgeous. Remember me?”

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