Page 58 of The Players We Hate
“Oh, good,” she said, tossing her phone on the bed. “You’re here. We’re going out tonight.”
I blinked at her, already shaking my head. “It’s a Wednesday.”
“And?” She arched a brow. “That’s never stopped anyone at this school.”
I turned back to the closet, flipping through hangers for something halfway put-together. “I have plans.”
She flopped onto her bed dramatically. “Please don’t say homework. You’ve been sitting in here every night since the semester started.”
“I have dinner with my mom.” I held up a black sweater dress, then decided against it and grabbed a blazer instead.
Alisa sat up, surprised. “Wait, seriously?”
“Seriously.”
She watched me quietly for a beat. “So youdoleave this place sometimes.”
I gave her a tight smile. “Shocking, I know.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “Look, I’m not trying to come down on you. But ever since... well,whateverhappened with you and Talon,” she said carefully, “you’ve been ghosting everyone. You barely even talk to me anymore.”
I swallowed hard and hung the blazer on the back of my chair. “It’s not about him.”
“Isn’t it?” Her tone softened, but she didn’t back down. “You’ve let him take up space in your head for too long. I’ve watched you bury the hurt under straight A’s, charity projects, and pencil skirts that look like they’ve never seen a wrinkle. There’s more to life, Wren. There’s more to you than that too.”
Her words hit harder than I expected.
I looked down at my hands. “Iamdoing something for myself. Actually.”
Alisa leaned back on her elbows. “Yeah?”
“I just got an email this afternoon. I was offered an internship working with the university’s compliance office.”
Her eyes went wide. “Wait. The compliance office? Like… with the athletes?”
I nodded. “Starting next week.”
She let out a low whistle. “Damn. Sounds important. Fancy title and all that. You’re basically running the show now, huh?”
I snorted. “Not even close.”
She paused for a moment, then added, “Still doesn’t mean you can’t come out tonight. It’s just a bonfire. Music, people, maybe some questionable decisions.”
I laughed under my breath, the tension in my chest easing just a little.
“Another time,” I promised.
Alisa groaned. “You’re the worst.”
“I know.”
Maybe this was my shot. Not just at proving myself but at finally stepping out from behind the shadow of the Perry name. And maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t ready to disappear after all.
I’d stood in front of the mirror longer than I should’ve, debating every option in my closet until I finally settled on a deep green dress that felt sharp but not stiff. Something that didn’t look like I’d been dressed by my mother, but didn’t scream I was trying too hard either. I slipped on simple heels, clasped a thin bracelet at my wrist, and told myself it was enough.
By the time my ride showed up, I was already waiting by the curb, clutching my small bag a little too tightly. The headlights cut across the street, pulling me out of my head. The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of Embers, its sleek frame catching the glow of the restaurant’s entrance lights. I hesitated, pulling in one last deep breath. I didn’t want to walk in with Talon’s name still echoing in my head the way it had been the entire drive.
Her words wouldn’t let go.You’re letting him dictate everything.The truth of it sat heavily, leaving a bitter taste I couldn’t shake.
