Page 144 of Steeling Her
So, this is Erin,I think to myself.
“Nick.” She smiles sweetly back at him. She’s wearing tight booty shorts and a white tank top tucked in, and black open-toe heels that look like they could stomp all over me. Her golden-tan mixed with the blue lighting highlights her model-like features. No wonder why Nick got with her. She’s stunning.
“I didn’t believe the rumours . . . but I guess they’re true . . . she must be an expensive one.” My eyes widen at what she’s implying about me. She did not just call me a hooker. Unbelievable.
“You would know, wouldn’t you, Erin?” Nick smirks, holding me back from retorting myself. He strokes my thumb to help me soothe the racing heart I have.
“Actually, I wouldn’t. That’s your other side piece. You think you’re special sweetheart, but you’re not. Just think about how many times he’s gone around and fucked other girls in this college. You’re just another one . . .” She struts over to us. She’s much taller than I am, and yet, I don’t feel intimidated by her. She’s just like Maya, except brunette.
“Just another one who’s gone on dates with him?” I ask her. Tilting my head to the side, she sizes me up and comes closer to me. She’s trying her best to scare me by crossing her arms over. She makes her smirk grow even broader, trying to look like she’s relishing in this, but it doesn’t come off that way to me.
“Is that what you keep telling yourself every time he asks you to leave his room?” She sends me a wolfish grin, then flicks her eyes over to Nick. “Wouldn’t be his first time.” Her smile gets bigger, displaying her perfect teeth; straight and white
“Actually, that’s where you’re wrong . . .” Once Maya comes into our sight, I groan loudly. The two of them in close proximity isn’t ideal, but I know it’s going to happen regardless. “Wearedating, and sheismy girlfriend. So, fuck off and find another fuck buddy; both of you. I don’t the time for this shit.” Each one of our faces morphs into surprise at Nick’s words. Mine in particular.
Did he just call me his girlfriend?
In front of a crowded room of people?
“Girlfriend?” Erin and Maya squeal at the same time, and I can feel the bubble of happiness rise in my stomach. It’s about to pop if I don’t get away from them.
“Yeah . . . Got a problem?” Nick continues to wipe it in their faces. I just stand there in complete surprise along with the other two girls, who are now not ashamed to glare at me.
“That was mine!” Maya roars at us and I flinch. So, does Erin.
“Ugh . . . this bitch,” Erin mutters under her breath and rolls her brown eyes which matches her hair.
You’re no better,I wanted to say, but Nick stops them both.
“If you don’t mind, I’m bored of this conversation. I need to get my girlfriend and I a drink.” He smirks at me as he pushes past them both. We make our way into the kitchen, passing by some stunned faces. Pulling me along, I still can’t form any proper words right now. My mind pulses with the word “girlfriend” over and over.
He just called me his girlfriend.
Holy shit.
Once we reach the area, I notice that there aren’t many people here filling up their cups. As soon as we reach the counter, Nick whirls around with a huge grin plastered onto his face. But that’s not all, his entire face had gone pink. He’s blushing.
“Okay, so don’t freak out—”
“Don’t freak out, he says! Nick!” I start to laugh and roll my head back, trying to stop myself.
“Why are you laughing?” He laughs along with me and I slap his arm, making a very nice sound.
“You just . . . I don’t know what goes through your head sometimes!” I chuckle, trying to get the air into my lungs. It was so rash of him to say that in front of everyone without consulting me first.
He steps into my space and cups his hands around my face protectively until I’ve calmed down. “I was planning on asking you tonight, outside,” he says shyly and I start to melt.
“Asking would have been nice instead of declaring it to your two ex-fuck-buddies that we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.” I roll my eyes, a little annoyed inside. I would have preferred to have been asked instead of him assuming that I would’ve said yes. I would have, but that’s not the point. It’s the courtsey of asking the girl if she would like to be someone’s girlfriend that makes her feel special.
“I’m sorry, I panicked. I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.” I sigh and nod. I can’t stay mad at him. He knows how to play the game with me. “Okay, let’s just pretend that didn’t happen . . . Let’s go back, like, ten minutes, okay?” I giggle at how serious he looks. Then I begin to think he is serious.
“Why?” I wonder.
“Because I want to ask you this time,” he says and I feel my heart flutter at the thought of it. “Carter will you—”
“Wait!” I place my hand on his chest, almost shoving the words back into his mouth.His shirt is so sof—focus.He sends me a curious look and I blink back at him. “Can you ask me in a place a little more private?” I enquire shyly, looking around at the people in the kitchen. It’s not busy, I just don’t want people around when he asks me.
“Okay . . . come with me.” He yanks me outside, waving quickly at the people around us who say hi. Pushing back a small gate on the perimeter of the garden out back, we walk in the freshly sprinkled grass. It’s not the most romantic of sceneries because of the flies hovering around us, and the dewy grass is quite slippery—it’s a pretty humid night for this time of year—but I’ll just have to work with it.
