“Oh, good. He’s being helpful. Thank you, now run along. It’s time I take Vale here for a good cup of coffee and some of the best ice cream she’s ever had.”

Charlie shot me a crooked grin. “Have fun, but don’t let my sister teach you too many bad habits. That ice cream will slap the freshman fifteen on you overnight.”

“Oh, shut up.” She swatted at his arm, then linked her arm through mine. “He’s handy to have around, but he can be a pest, too.”

I smiled back at him. “Thanks again, Charlie.”

He waved. “Anytime, Vale.”

Mae snorted. “He likes the brunettes with the blue eyes. It’s his thing. And you’re petite, and that natural olive complexion is killer. Everything he doesn’t have. He’s sunk already.”

I didn’t want him sunk. I wasn’t open for anything other than friends. I wouldn’t explain that, though. I wasn’t ready.

“Are you all unpacked?” I asked her, wanting to change the subject.

“Yup. Now time to introduce you to some people. Who’s your roommate? You like her?”

That was a loaded question. “Um, well, her name is Everly and she’s very … Barbie-ish.… She put a pink furry pillow on my bed.”

Mae threw her head back and laughed loudly. “Oh, dear lord. They didn’t give you a freshman? You got Everly. That’s almost cruel. My friend Jasmine, I’ll introduce her to you in a bit—she’s still unpacking and will meet us later—had Everly last year. That girl is the complete definition of a diva.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

WALKING INTO THE coffee shop on campus, I expected to see a large crowd of students, which I did. I expected to meet new people, and because Mae was very social I did. But what I didn’t expect was the sight of my roommate snuggled up at a table with Slate Allen.

Everly seemed exactly the kind of girl silly enough to waste time with Slate. But still, I just hadn’t thought our worlds would be thrown together so soon after arriving on campus. I mean, the place wasn’t small.

“Everly with Slate Allen. Not surprised. She had her sights on him last year, but that one is a player. He has a different girl on his arm every day.” Mae was talking and I realized I was staring. Just before I tore my gaze off them, Slate’s eyes connected with mine and I felt an odd jolt. I quickly turned my attention to the large chalkboard menu hanging over the barista.

What was that jolt? Familiarity?

“Slate is looking at you. I’m telling you, girl, stay away from that one. Nothing but trouble,” Mae was whispering. “And now here he comes. Shit.”

I tensed, but I wasn’t sure why. Slate was a friend this summer when I needed one. He didn’t have to keep in touch. It wasn’t like he swore he would or anything. I was acting weird about this and I needed to shake it off now.

“Vale.” Slate’s voice still had a warm drawl. I liked that about him.

Smiling, I turned back to him. “Hey, how’ve you been?” I said almost a little too cheerily. I wanted to wince.

“Good, and you? Get settled in yet?”

“Oh, you know my roommate, Valerie?” Everly asked as she slid her arms possessively around Slate’s.

“It’s Vale, and yeah, we’re friends,” he said, still looking at me. This was becoming even more awkward.

“What can I get you?” the guy behind the counter asked, and I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Oh, yes,” I said, turning to look at him. I hadn’t had time to study the menu, so I went with what I knew they’d have. “Whatever you have on bold, please. Large.”

“I want a mocha latte with caramel sauce light, large, please,” Mae said beside me.

“Six forty-five,” the barista said.

I went to get my wallet out of my purse and Mae slapped my hand. “I got this one. You get mine tomorrow.”

I started to argue and she rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you got plain old coffee. It was like a dollar. The rest is mine.”

“Okay,” I relented.

“Let’s go somewhere less crowded,” Everly said behind me.

“You staying here, Vale?” Slate asked, and the awkward was all over the place.

“Yes, we’re meeting some friends,” Mae chimed in.

He flashed me a smile. “You make friends fast.”

Well, he was supposed to have been my first friend.

“Mae has taken me under her wing,” I said honestly.

“Before my brother did. I had to save you,” she teased, then turned around and got our drinks.

“I’ll see you later, then,” Slate said, and Everly stepped between us.

“Bye now,” she added.

“Bye,” I replied, then Slate turned and followed her out.

“Mother of God, why did you not tell me you knew Slate Allen? Please tell me you’ve not screwed him.”

I almost tripped and jerked my head to look at her. “What? Of course not! He’s in my brother’s fraternity. We met this summer. Just friends. I’m taken,” I added. Because I was.

“Oh,” she said, her eyes going wide. “Boyfriend back home? Another college?”

She led me through the crowd, but I didn’t see empty tables so I wasn’t sure where we were headed.

“Back home,” I said without explaining more.

“Those don’t always last. You know that, right?” She stopped at a table two other girls were sitting at. “Move over, whores,” she said with a playful tone.

“Mae, why were you talking to Slate Allen?” the brunette asked.

“Been there, and stop judging. It’s worth it,” the blonde said.

“You’re a slut, Sam,” Mae said, then motioned for me to sit down. “This is my new friend Vale. She’s rooming with Everly, God help her, and she’s friends with Slate.”

“Slate doesn’t have female friends,” the brunette said, looking at me suspiciously.

“I second that. I’ve been here as long as Slate has, and he’s never had a female friend.”

“She’s also fucked him,” the brunette added.

The blonde who I now knew was Sam rolled her eyes and kicked the other girl. “Shut up.”

“So, anyway, these are my friends. Sam and Joy,” Mae said, sitting down. “They also have no filter, so I’m sorry for everything that comes out of their mouths.”

“Whatever, you don’t either,” Joy said. “So, tell me, how are you friends with Slate Allen?”

I wasn’t sure we were friends, really, but I preferred to use that as an explanation rather than anyone thinking I was one of his many. “He’s my brother Knox’s frat brother. We met this summer.”

“Knox McKinley is your brother?” Sam asked, straightening in her seat.

I was almost afraid to confirm, but I nodded.

“He’s gorgeous. I’m angling for an invite to the Kappa Sigma party next weekend just so I can see him. I need to use my new red dress to get his attention.”

I was used to girls chasing my brother. This had happened in high school, too.

“Warning, if you try to use or harass Vale over her brother, I will forbid you any contact. No chasing the brothers of friends. Remember my rule.”

Sam pouted. “I thought that was just Charlie.”

“Nope. Goes for her older brother, too.”