Page 6 of Cheap Shot

“Nothing, I just don’t feel like going out tonight.”

There was nothing I could say to force him to tell me the truth, so I gave up. “Okay, man. I’ll see you later.”

He nodded and pulled a hoodie over his shirt. “See ya.”

I picked up my duffle and headed out of the locker room and into the crisp air. I’d figure out what was really going on with him later, after he had time to sort through whatever was on his mind.

Chapter 3

Haley

“Are you sure you don’t want to borrow something?” Emery asked for the third time. She eyed me with blatant disapproval.

“I’m positive.” I had dresses and skirts I could change into, but I was comfortable in the T-shirt I wore all day, and the jean shorts were my compromise. They went down to my fingertips, and when combined with my white Converse, I looked ready for a day at school. High school.

I didn’t care though. Going to a party was enough of a stressor. I didn’t want to add worrying about flashing anyone because of a tiny dress on top of that.

Emery didn’t agree. Her fishnets had been swapped for sheer black tights and a black dress that showed off more of her abundant curves than I would ever dare. Not that I had that problem. Next to her, I looked like a child. A prepubescent boy that hit a growth spurt far too young. I was tall and thin, with not much in the way of womanly … appeal.

If I had an ounce of athletic ability, I’d be an ideal volleyball or basketball player, but despite years of their best efforts, no coach could teach me how to move my arms and legs in the same, desired direction and at the same time.

I was like a newborn giraffe. Or fawn. That was more flattering.

Either way, I was well aware of what I had to work with and accepted that I would have to rely on my personality to draw people in.

“Fine,” she conceded while picking up her studded leather purse from the end of her bed.

I slid my phone into one back pocket and my dorm keycard into the other and followed her out the door.

“A few of my friends will meet us there,” she started as soon as we left the building.

“Okay.” I kept my voice level, not giving away my nerves. I barely had time to warm up to her, and now I was meeting even more people. I had time to prepare, but now that it was happening, it felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.

I took in a deep breath as discretely as possible.

I might like her friends, and they might even like me. Even though Emery intimidated me, she’d been mostly polite so far. Inviting me to come with her and introducing me to her friends was a nice thing to do, especially after me nearly breaking her nose. It was better than having a roommate that ignored me.

“Most of the off-campus students live on the other side of that building.” She pointed across the green lawn that separated the dorms from the dining center. Behind that was one of the science buildings, if I remembered the tour correctly.

“It’s nice that things are so close.” Small talk was not my forte, but she was making an effort, so I wanted to keep it going.

“Yeah, most students don’t have, or even really need, cars. Everything we need is either on campus or available at one of the stores along West Street.”

West Street was pointed out during our class tour. The street was packed with restaurants and stores that catered to the students.

She led us down a path that wound to the back of the school’s limits and emptied out onto a residential street. “This is where a lot of students live too.”

I nodded, taking in the row of modest homes on either side. Several cars packed every driveway, the only sign that multiple roommates, rather than a family, lived inside.

“And that one is Alpha Gamma Nu.” She pointed down the block. “It throws the best parties, but they can get a little out of control, so don’t go unless you’re with someone.”

“Really? They’re that bad?” I probably shouldn’t go at all.

“As long as you have back-up, you’re fine.” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but she nudged me up the driveway of a house where people were scattered on the lawn and walking toward from all directions. “Most of the guys that live here are athletes, so the parties are milder than the other houses.”

That was encouraging. Going to a rager on my first night didn’t sound like a great idea. Well, a party on a Tuesday didn’t scream good decision, but if it was hosted by athletes, it couldn’t be that bad.

“My brother told me the rules are really strict for athletes. Like, if you mess up, you’re off your team.” And they didn’t run on a ‘three strikes and you're out’ plan.