Page 66 of Collide
He doesn’t laugh. “It’s the truth. All the other girls I talk to I’ve either slept with or am planning on it.”
“Ugh!” I gag, putting my tea down. “You’re a pig.”
He’s unperturbed. “You should be flattered that we’re genuine friends.”
“Only because you’ve known me since we were kids.”
“Nah, I think it’s because your dad is one scary dude. That and I’ve had you throw up on my shoes.”
“You’re the one who brought booze to a school assembly.”
“And you drank to show off,” he counters.
“You dared me in front of everyone!”
He shakes his head, wearing a grimace. “Never mind. I think it’s because we fight like siblings.” He shoves my head away in a playful move, and I flip him off.
“What’s up with you and Crawford?” he suddenly asks.
I had plucked Aiden out of my head for a split second, only for the question to drag me back to square one. How do I answer that?He’s helped with my assignment and barges into my dorm to give me orgasms?
“He’s helping me with my research.” I feel him scrutinizing me. “What?”
“Why are you blushing?”
I pull out my phone to check my reflection. “Makeup.”
I’m not wearing any makeup. Despite the small amount of melanin my mother passed down to me, my cheeks still glow red. Now, the guy is making me blush? He is seriously pissing me off, though it’s hard to be mad at someone when your body has assembled a choir for them.
Tyler hums in acknowledgement, though I know he sees right through me. “I still don’t forgive you for bailing on the Christmas party, by the way. You know those things are torturous.”
“I do. That’s why I didn’t show up.”
“You promised. I don’t take promise-breaking lightly, Summer.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand there in front of all those people and pretend we’re a perfect family.” Our Christmas celebration is hosted by a rotating handful of families in the league. Last year it was my parents’ turn, so our house transformed into a Winter Wonderland. From the pictures my sisters sent, I couldn't be happier that I didn’t attend.
“I get it, but I don’t forgive you.”
I sigh loudly. “What do you want?”
It doesn’t even take him a second to answer. “Set me up with your roommate.”
I’m surprised my head doesn’t snap from how fast I turn to him. “No way, that’s my best friend.”
“I’myour best friend.”
“Amara doesn’t like you.”
His gaze turns quizzical. “Why?”
“Cause you’re a know-it-all asshole. This shouldn’t be news.”
“I’ve spoken to her once, like a year ago.”
I shake my head. “She also saw you at some party going into a room with four girls.”
“So she’s slut shaming me?”
