Page 6 of Illicit Obsession

I wrinkled my nose at her. “I don’t want to date anyone right now. My schedule is full with classes and studying. Besides, if I add anything else, I won’t have time to hang with my bestie.”

She rolled her eyes and squeezed my hands. “Phoebe, I love you, but you have to get your head out of books and join the real world. You’re hiding. From what is beyond me. You’re stunning and have curves in all the right places. I wish I had the hips and ass that you do. Not to mention these.” She squeezed my boobs through my shirt and our laughter filled the room.Teagan and the girls had always been body positive, which made me love them even more.

Sadness snaked through me, and I did my best to shake the grief that still haunted me.

“I dated at the academy. Give me some time to adjust.”

“Pff. We’ve been at Whitmore for a few weeks. It doesn’t take that long to adjust to college. It’s not like it’s your first year at a university.” Teagan looked up as the ceiling and tapped a contemplative finger on her chin. “You’re going to the party with me Saturday.”

I began to stammer out my reply, but she placed her hand over my mouth.

“Don’t make me kidnap you because you’ll fit in the trunk of my car just fine.” She cocked her head.

There was no arguing with her. When Teagan set her mind to something, that was the end of the conversation. If I really wanted to dodge the party, then I would have to disappear that day. That wasn’t a bad idea, but maybe it would do me good to get out for a while, wiggle my ass with my besties, and have a few drinks.

“Fine. But if I go, don’t push a guy on me.”

Teagan raised her palms in front of her, surrendering to my request. “Promise, but stop being a social pariah. You can’t live in the library all year when there are so many ways to meet people. Debate club, drama club, or even check out a few sororities for next year. Hell, with our new quarterback, Kane Cooper, we have a real shot at ranking top 4 and, with a little luck, making it to the national championship game. That means you’ll be alone on a lot of weekends since I travel with the cheer team to help Coach out. I don’t like that idea. You need other people in your life when we’re not around. With that said, I really hope our guys kick ass and go all the way.” She bounced on her toes, clearly excited about the idea of the football team doing well that year.

“I said I’d go.” I sat at the small desk in my room and caught a glance of my reflection in the mirror. My blue eyes were blank, soulless. I attempted a smile and busied myself with my biology and chemistry books in order to hide from Teagan. She could spot my vulnerability a mile away, and I wasn’t up for any questions.

“If I’m going to go out and play this weekend I need to study.” I stood. “But I need a snack and to check the mail. Daddy is supposed to send me a care package.”

“Is Theo getting over being upset with you for returning to the Northwest?”

I grabbed my black windbreaker and put it on. “I think he’s trying. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be straight up with me about why he didn’t want me to come back. He shipped me off to boarding school for four years and insisted I attend a university in New York too. Not once did he allow me to come home, even for the holidays.” I slipped on my Nikes, ready to make my short trek to the mailbox. “But you know that already.” My shoulders slumped with sadness.

“I remember. At least he always brought the holidays to you. Remember when I went to visit my parents and Mom and I fought the entire time, so I came back to school early? I hung out with you and Theo in the penthouse suite he’d rented. Hell, we ate and drank ourselves silly. It was so much better than being at my place.”

My heart sank for Teagan. Her mom was complicated to say the least, but she was verbally abusive to Teagan for no reason. Hell, even if Teagan had been a total failure at life, no one deserved to be talked to like she was.

“It was one of the best holiday breaks I’d had.” I pulled Teagan in for a quick hug.

“Just proves that family isn’t always blood. It’s who loves and supports us.”

“Damn straight.” I released her, then headed out of the bedroom and into the hall.

“By the way, don’t let Everlee catch you grabbing the mail. You know she twitches like a drug fiend to check it.” Teagan snickered behind me as we descended the stairs to the main floor.

“Is it bad that I like to check the mail just to make her twitch?” I reached the front door and cracked it open. “Dammit. It’s pouring out there.”

Teagan gave me the umbrella from the coat closet. “Here.” The moment she held it out, the wind blew into the house and jerked the door out of my hands. I stared at Teagan and groaned. It was an unusual day for the end of September with temperatures in the mid-sixties, and the rain made it feel colder.

“Girl, shut the damn door!” Cackling like the bitch she was, Teagan shoved me onto the porch and closed it in my face.

“Fuck!” I screamed, darting through the downpour to the mailbox at the end of the driveway. It wasn’t far at all, but when we had a storm with high winds, I was pretty sure it was a trek through the jungle with wildlife poised and ready to attack. “You just wait, Teagan Mercer,” I muttered to myself. If Everlee said one word to me about checking the mail, I would remind her that I saved her from being blown away. She should thank me.

Hurrying, I collected the small package and letters, then ran as hard as I could against the pelting rain. Shaking from the bone-chilling cold, I burst through the entrance and secured the bolt behind me.

“You look like a drowned rat, just prettier.” Teagan laughed as I wiped the water from my cheeks and forehead.

“I feel like one thanks to you.” I glanced at the package in my hand before I shuffled through the mail. A black envelope with gold calligraphy caught my eye. My forehead creased in confusion as I realized it had my name on it but no address, not even a return one. I gave the remaining letters to Teagan. “I want to open my box and see what Theo sent.”

I headed up the stairs to my bedroom for a bit of privacy.

“If there are cookies or alcohol, you have to share!” Teagan yelled after me.

“Nope. Not after you shoved me outside to swim while you sat in Noah’s Ark all nice and dry.” I giggled as I returned to my room and secured the door behind me. In a few seconds, I anticipated Teagan would join me, but I wanted a moment to myself. It was a rare commodity in college with four roomies. I wouldn’t change it for the world, though. Those girls were my sisters.

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