I placed the mascara back in the makeup bag and chewed on my bottom lip, remembering Connor’s kiss in the classroom and the sinful hunger hidden in his kiss, the silent, begging wish…
“What is going on with you lately?” Amber’s question interrupted my thoughts. “Is it your acceptance’s letter?”
I’d completely forgot about my letter.
I ran my fingers through my red hair, disappointed in myself. How could I forget something so great?
“Ready, friend?” Amber asked, letting her question go as she climbed off the bed.
Nervousness spread throughout my body. Here goes nothing, I thought as we walked out of her room.
Amber reversed the car and turned up the volume of the music. The lyrics to Eminem’s “Superman” fell off her lips and I laughed at her talent. She rapped until we arrived at a large, two-story house. The drive over hadn’t given me enough time to smother down my anxiety.
Amber parked down the street on the same side of the frat house.
“Doing okay?”
“Yes,” I whispered as we started to walk along the cars on the street and up the driveway to the front of the house. Amber knocked, then turned toward me with wide eyes. “This is so terrifying and exciting!”
The door opened and we both gasped. Connor’s head was turned, laughing at another guy standing behind him.
“Holy shit,” Amber mumbled.
Connor turned his head toward us and his laughter died as his face dropped.
What was Connor doing here?
“Vida ..." he breathed, staring right into my shocked green eyes. Time stopped as I stared into his light blue eyes.
“And Amber." Amber added with a cough. "Mr. Tomlinson, you're a frat?"
"Former." He blinked, brow furrowed as he glanced at Amber.
Former?
"Awesome. You can show us around and let everyone know we're your friends."
"Hey, man. Who's at the door?" a guy yelled over the music.
Connor stepped toward us and closed the door behind him. My breasts brushed against his chest, causing us both to suck in a breath. He stepped to the side, guiding us from the door.
"You shouldn't be here."
He had been living here the whole time? "Were you attending this college the whole four years?" I whispered, my hurt grasping around my words.
"Yes," he answered, staring off to the street. There was a long pause as Connor continues to stare away from us, then Amber tapped her foot twice.
"We won't say anything. Tonight stays here. Please, Mr. Tomlinson, can we stay? I want to see what goes on at a real frat party."
"Nothing good goes on at these types of parties,” Connor said, casting a possessive look on me.
"Please," Amber tried again.
"No." Connor's simple word came out strong. "Where are you guys parked at?"
Amber pointed toward her car, defeated.
"Let's go.” Connor started the walk back to Amber's car and we reluctantly joined him. I fell behind as I tried to grasp what I’d just learned.
Amber walked ahead to the driver side. Connor stopped by the passenger door, quiet until, Amber stepped into the car. I walked toward him, standing as close as I possibly could without pressing my body onto him.
"Vida, we need to talk,” he breathed, his warm breath on my cheek sending shivers up and down my body.
"We do. Come by tomorrow."
He nodded as he opened the door for me.
"Go straight home.” He closed my door and walked away.
Chapter 3
Amber went right to bed when we got back to her place. She wasn’t happy with how her plans had turned out. I let her sleep as I lain awake, thinking about what would happen when I saw Connor.
After breakfast, I told Amber I had to go back home. With her sulkiness, she didn’t protest.
“Hey, cheer up,” I told her as she walked me to the door. “We’ll try again another night. Maybe just a high school party?”
“High school boys are shy and not fun,” she pouted.
I smiled. “They’re better that way.”
“For you, maybe. Not for me.” She laughed, her mood lifting.
I opened my car door before giving her a hug. “See you Monday.”
***
As I spotted my house from down the street, the empty feeling returned. Once inside, I tossed my house keys onto the table and walked to my room.
My bag dropped and my heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second. Then it beat again, drumming fast and loud, increasing every second. Loud enough that I was sure he could hear.
Connor is in my bedroom.
Connor is in my bedroom.
Connor is in my bedroom.
He had his back to me, his head angled to the right as he looked at my pictures and artwork. I couldn’t see his expression as he glanced at each one. His head dropped as he noticed the framed picture on my nightstand. I heard the deep, throaty catch in his breath and imagined his bright, beautiful smile lighting up his gorgeous features. I light up too, every time my eyes falls on that picture he took of me.