AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rampant burnout must be common among graduate students,” I sighed, settling into the seat opposite hers with a sigh.
“I don’t even think we’ll know what burnout is until next semester,” she said after a moment.
We sat in silence, both of us gazing into space. Lack of sleep and too many hours spent pouring over textbooks had done a number on us both.
My single night out hadn’t been nearly enough.
“I’m going to a party tonight,” I announced, looking up at her.
She arched a brow at me, crossing her hands over her chest. “Where at?”
“Greek Row... You should come.”
“Absolutely not.”
I rolled my eyes and pulled out my water bottle, drinking deeply. “Why not? You’ve never been to a frat party. They can be kind of fun.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Did something happen last night?”
The playful smile on my face evaporated into thin air, and I clutched my water bottle hard enough to cause my knuckles to go white. “No. Nothing happened. I just need a little bit longer of a study break, that’s all. If you want to come to the party tonight, let me know.”
Jessica watched me closely as I stood up from the table. I hadn’t even bothered to unpack my books or laptop. “You stayed out with Professor Ellis, didn’t you?”
“Jessica,” I hissed under my breath, but her excited smile caused my chest to tighten and a secret smile of my own to stretch across my face. “Stop, okay? Keep your voice down.”
“Oh my goodness,” she hissed, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Tell me—”
“Nothing happened!” I whispered firmly, biting down on my lip. “I drank a little too much, and he walked me back to campus, that’s all. I’m... I have a headache. I’m leaving. Come to the party tonight if you want, okay?”
Jessica let out a surprised laugh as I hurried away, shaking my head at my own stupidity and inability to keep my mouth shut. Jessica wouldn’t tell anyone, I knew that for certain, and whatever happened last night was nothing of substance, anyway.
Still, I went back to my bedroom and fell face first into bed, letting all thoughts of my dilemma slip away into a dreamless oblivion.
CHRISTIAN’S FRAT HOUSE boomed with flashing lights and music as I made my way through the first floor, clutching a very drunk freshman by the shoulders as I steered her back to her sorority sisters. She wasn’t one of mine, but I recognized her friends as belonging to the Sigma Kappa Kappa house. I handed her off to her friends, leaning in to tell them to get her back home and tucked into bed, and warned the rest to stay away from the cooler of mystery punch in the kitchen.
I could barely hear above the music and the lifted shouts of conversation as I made my way back across the house. Nicole and some of her pledge sisters were singing loudly to karaoke, but they were safe and upright, at least for the moment.
Had I really done this every weekend for four years?
I’d almost made it back to sorority sisters when an arm came about my waist and lifted me off my feet, spinning me in a circle. “Let me go!”
“Come on, baby,” Christian growled in my ear, nipping my earlobe. “Where’ve you been all week?”
I shoved away from him, smoothing down my shirt. “Seriously, Christian, keep your hands off me. I hate when you manhandle me in public!”
“You can be a really cold-hearted bitch, you know that?” His eyes were practically crossed, and he could barely stand upright. I could smell booze on his breath as he stumbled toward me again, one hand outstretched as he caged me against a wall. “Look, Whit. I’m sick of these little games you’ve been playing with me since last year. You got your degree. It’s time to stop playing scholar and get back to where you rightfully belong.”
“And where exactly is that?” I seethed, pushing against him.
He smiled devilishly, chuckling, “Back home in the Hamptons, in my kitchen, making sure I have dinner waiting for me when I get home from the city.”
I slapped him hard across the face, but he didn’t so much as flinch. He pushed off the wall, rubbing his jaw. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I ground out, shoving past him.
“Fine. I’ll come over later.”
“Don’t you dare,” I growled, then whirled and stormed out of the house.
