OLIVIA

Colby and I still haven't had sex. It's been five days since the night we planned on fucking, but our schedules haven't aligned. I've been so damn exhausted after practice every day. I get back and pass out. He hasn't come back over since Sunday, and I genuinely miss my cuddle buddy. I still can't believe that man just let himself in our apartment just to come cuddle. He is something else.

I found a dress to wear to the Athlete's Ball. It was a rose-gold sequin dress with a slit down the leg. It hugged every curve of my body, and I couldn't have been more pleased. I got a great deal on it, too.

Bella informed me that I was to take a date. She acts like I have men lined up to take me. I sure as hell can't ask Colby after Crawford accidentally dropped a bomb earlier, saying he was already going with someone. I may see if Miller will go with me. I'll ask him when I see him.

We were celebrating a huge win tonight. The football team beat Duke in the last twenty seconds of the game. Wake Forest intercepted the ball and ran it ninety yards to the end zone. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. They sure aren't going easy tonight. They'll be slamming shots back like it was water.

"Michael said he'd come to Bernie's for a little, but then he's going to a softball party," Sadie says as we pack our drinks into bags.

"Did he ask you to go to the party?" I ask.

"No, but I also don't want to go. I'd rather go somewhere I'm comfortable being at."

"Fair," I say, twisting the cap off a Michelob and taking a sip.

Sadie hasn't said much about her and Crawford. I don't know exactly what they're doing. He took her on a date Tuesday, and she said they had a great time. She's being sneaky, but then again, so am I.

Bella left to see Bernie, and Jada was with her sorority sisters. Sadie and I stand outside our apartment waiting for her situationship to show up, "Are you and Crawford going to the ball together?"

"Yes. He asked me last night. He said he was on a mission to find a tie in my dress's exact shade of green."

"That's sweet," I say while Crawford yells, "Hey ladies." He wraps his arm around Sadie and kisses her cheek, "You look hot."

"Thanks."

I jokingly cough as if I was invisible. "Fine. You look nice too, Olivia."

"That's so kind of you, Crawford. So kind I might even let you sit in my chair in the living room."

"Shit, Liv. I'd massage your feet if you let me sit there." For some reason, everyone is obsessed with the lounge chair. I claimed it as my own the day we moved in since I did bring it. And yet somehow, that damn Colby took my seat that one night, and I let him.

We can hear the Love Sosa blaring from the football apartment from four houses down. I almost cover my ears when we walk through the door. It is fucking loud. All the guys are screaming at the top of their lungs.

We push through the living room and head into the kitchen, where Bella and Bernie are making out in the corner. Gross.

Miller pops out of nowhere, holding a bottle of tequila in one hand and whiskey in the other. "What'll it be, Livvy?"

I smile, grabbing the tequila from his hand, "I think we should start with this."

I set the liquor on the table and found the personal cup I keep here. I pull my skirt down before reaching into the cabinet for the cup and shot glasses. I was wearing a black leather skirt and a black long-sleeve crop top. I loved the skirt, but it liked to ride up my ass.

I pour the tequila into my cup and add a Sprite to make it drinkable. I take a big gulp and nod at Miller, "Perfect."

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close, "You look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you. I like this shirt," I say, running my hands over the brown silky fabric. "Also, the game was fucking awesome. I can't get over it."

I don't know why Miller and I never tried to date. He is an amazing man. He's attractive. He may be a borderline alcoholic, but he knows how to make me feel included and feel good. Yet, we've never even kissed. I don't think I could ruin our friendship. We've been friends for too long.

"Yeah, it was fuckin' nuts. I still can't believe Fultz caught that shit. Did you get to cheer?"

I move from his hold and begin to pour shots, "Yes. I was nervous, but it all went away as soon as I stepped on the field. Back like I never left."

"Then I guess we are really celebrating tonight."

I hand him one of the shots and clink mine with his, "Yes. Yes, we are." We drink.

And we drink more.

An hour later, my head is spinning. Miller is trying to hold me up, keeping his hand wrapped around my waist—too much tequila. I hit a joint once, too. One of Miller's joints. I swear he has different shit. It makes me feel weightless.

I push off him, "I'm going pee," I tell him, wandering towards the closest bathroom at the front of the house.

The bathroom door is locked, and I wait outside for whoever is inside. The sound of the door slamming shut has me looking at the front door. Romeo- I mean, Colby. And a girl. His hand is on her back. Oh my-

I fall.

But I don't hit the floor because his arms are wrapped around me, pulling me up, "Jesus, Liv."

I blink, staring at him, trying to make myself sober up. Why is he here? With a girl. My eyes flicker to the girl behind him. She's tall. Like really tall. And pretty. She stares at me, confused as to why Colby is helping me. I recognize her. She is a softball player.

He squeezes my waist, getting my attention. "You good?"

"I gotta pee," I say, trying to wiggle out of his grip, but it only makes me stumble. "Stupid heels," I groan.

"I'll be back," Colby grumbles to the girl, helping me to the bathroom.

I stumble inside, already shoving my skirt and panties down my thighs before the door is closed. I drop onto the seat and sigh as I release the liquids in my body.

Colby runs a hand through his hair as his eyes roam my body. "Why are you here?" With her, I want to add.

"Here to get Crawford. He won't answer his phone."

I snort, "Crawford passed out on the porch about twenty minutes ago. They were adding wax to the joints. It didn't go well."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" He groans loudly. At least the girl doesn't think we are fucking in here. "Did you take it?"

I wipe and flush the toilet, "No, I'm not stupid. I was doing Henny belly shots off of Sadie and Bella. Crawford, Bernie, and Miller were doing wax."

"Fuck." He watches me intensely as I pull my underwear and skirt back up. I stumble over to the sink and begin to wash my hands. He doesn't even try to hide he's watching me. I like that.

Olivia, stop embarrassing yourself in front of this man and go back to your friends. I open the door, "Nice to see you, Jonesy."

I walk past the girl, who leans against the wall on her phone. She looks down at me as I walk by. She has to be at least six feet tall.

I round the corner and bump into a person, sending me to the floor, "Fuck," I groan, trying to peel myself off the floor.

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me off the floor. He pushes me flush against him, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist, "Let me take you home."

I sigh, knowing I should. I look into the kitchen, where Bella and Sadie are on the floor laughing at something. I look towards the patio, where I see Crawford still in a deep sleep. They probably aren't too off from me. They'll crash soon. "Fine," I grumble.

He leads me back towards the front door, where the softball girl stands alone. She looks awkward. Me too. "I'm going to take her home. I'll meet you back at your place."

She nods, not saying a word, and walks out the front door. Colby leads me to the door, though I don't think I'm that drunk. I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself. It's just the heels.

As soon as we step out onto the sidewalk, I trip in a crack, immediately falling. I at least land mainly in the grass. Colby stares down at me with a grin, "You good?"

I roll my eyes, sit up, and move to take my shoes off. He bends down and stops me, "I have a better and easier idea." He raises my arms and bends my legs, scooping me into his arms. He easily picks me up; I probably feel like a feather to him.

I wrap my arms around him and shut my eyes as he walks us back to my apartment. He's comfy.

He walked up the steps of my apartment and set me on my feet. "Where are your keys?"

I stare blankly at him. Where are my keys? Oh. "In Bernie's bedroom. Along with all my stuff."

He breathes deeply, "Well, okay. You're going to my bed then."

He scoops me back up, walking down the stairs and over to his apartment. He fishes his keys out without setting me down. He walks inside and gently lays me on his bed. He goes to his drawer and throws me a T-shirt to change into.

He, of course, doesn't turn around while I change. Instead, he watches every move, looking at every curve in my body. "Stop looking at me like that," I say, shoving the skirt down my body.

He grins, leaning against the wall, "Like what?"

"Like you want to eat me."

He chuckles, walking closer to me. He pulls my head back, leaving a hot kiss on my neck, "You do look rather delicious tonight, Angel."

His hands wrap around my ass, squeezing my cheeks. "I'm not fucking you right now," I say, scared to even touch him. If I touch him, I'll break.

Think of the girl. Think of the girl. He just left her.

"Angel, I want you completely sober when I fuck you. I want you to remember every moment."

I push him back, "Yeah, okay. How about I get dressed."

I look at my naked body, disappointed in how easily I give in to him. I throw the shirt on, letting it run almost to my knees.

"You're kind of boring tonight," I say and climb into the bed as he watches me, not responding. His face is unreadable. I can't tell if he wants to yell at me or get into bed with me.

He sets a bottle of water next to me on the nightstand and then turns out the light. "Sleep tight, Liv."

I sink deeper into the sheets, "Yeah, you better go. You're attending to the wrong girl."