Page 6 of Student Seduction
“Obviously,” I echoed absently.
“But you look like the cover of a swimsuit calendar and I catch all kinds of shit in the locker room because the entire lacrosse team beats off to thoughts of you naked. Don’t act like you don’t know.”
I kind of knew. When I’d wait for Drew after practice or games some of the guys would call out when we’d leave. I’d heard, “Get you some, Echols,” and “Hit it once for me,” more times than I cared to count.
We both let it go, let them think we were more than friends, because it meant Drew’s secret was safe.
“Speaking of which, I’ve been thinking,” he continued. “We need to make it clear we’re not a couple. It’s time, Em. For your sake and mine. You’ve had a pretend boyfriend for long enough.”
I shrugged. I hadn’t ever minded being Drew’s pretend girlfriend. Next year he was going to NYU, and I didn’t know how I’d live without him, but I knew he’d be better off because he’d finally be able to be himself. And he deserved all the happiness in the world.
“Drew,” I started, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. “What happened to you this summer…”
“Still don’t want to talk about it,” he said evenly. “I’ve moved past it. Rehashing it won’t help.”
“No more nightmares then?”
He shrugged. “Not every night.”
Drew had been jumped by a mugger at the city park. That’s what he’d told the police. I didn’t buy it and I knew there was more to the story. I also didn’t agree with his choice not to report his attacker, but I knew there wasn’t much point in arguing. He’d tell me when and if he was ready. Maybe he’d feel more comfortable sharing if I told him my big secret.
Taking a deep breath, I told my best friend the truth even though he wasn’t ready to share his.
“Drew…Remember how there was a guy with me? At the hospital? The guy I met at the carnival? The one from my art history class at Southeastern.”
“The hottie I talked you into boning?”
“Lovely rendition. Not exactly accurate, but yeah.”
Drew sucked down his Frappuccino with a loud slurp. “Yeah, why? Is he here?” He glanced around while I stared at my coffee cup.
“No.” I couldn’t meet his penetrative stare so I kept my eyes down. “He’s, um, at school.”
When I glanced up, he was frowning. “I thought you said he was in college? And that he was like twenty-three or something.”
“Twenty-four,” I corrected him. “And he also mentioned that he was going to teach history and coach a high school hockey team. I just never thought to ask him where.”
Drew’s brow furrowed then his eyes widened with the realization. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I wish I was. He’s the guy I told you about. Mr. Singleton.AidenSingleton.”
“The one you gave your V-card to then ghosted?” He raked a hand through his hair. “Well, shit. No wonder he was so pissy this morning.”
Pissy was an understatement.
I nodded. For a while we were silent, then Drew shrugged.
“Can’t change the past, Em. And it’s a required class you need to graduate. I say figure out how to deal with this like an adult the best you both can. Technically, you own his ass now. If anyone else found out what happened, he’d be done for. No wonder he spazzed when you said you were going to the office. You can pretty much show up to class as late as you please.”
“I’d never do that. Never blackmail someone like that.” Especially not him. Sucking it up and moving forward was the only real option I had.
“I know,” Drew said, finishing his drink. “That’s why I love you. He’s lucky it was you he hooked up with and not a shrew like Kelsey.”
Kelsey was our resident mean girl. She had hated me since middle school and made it her job to point out my flaws on a regular basis. Drew said she was jealous of me but I couldn’t figure out what the hell she could possibly be jealous of. My life didn’t exactly look glamorous even from the outside.
“I don’t know if I can just sit through his class every morning after everything,” I admitted.
Drew stared at me intently. An unrecognizable emotion passed across his face but he schooled his features quickly.
