Page 57 of Paper Doll

Bryce gazes at me thoughtfully for a moment, then nods. “Anytime, Ava,” he replies, stepping in closer. “And seriously, fuck the patriarchy. Let me know when you want to kick off this revolution, because I’msoready.”

I’m not sure if it’s the joint we smoked or just the stress of this entire week, but I’m suddenly overcome with emotion. I throw my arms around Bryce, squeezing him in gratitude for being so kind to me when I need it most. He hugs me back just as tight, letting me linger in the safety of his arms for a few long moments.

It occurs to me that maybe Bryce needs a friend right now just as badly as I do. He seems to be an oddball amongst our peers, just like me. This campus is a jungle full of predators, and there’s safety in numbers.

The two of us enter Sutton Hall and begin ascending the stairs, Bryce stopping off on the second floor and giving me a little wave. “Take care of yourself, babe,” he says as he breezes away, leaving me to climb the remaining two floors solo.

I heave a sigh as I continue my ascent, mentally preparing myself for another night shut in my dorm room with my uptight roommate. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll be off with her mystery boyfriend.

No dice.

As soon as I enter, I find her lounging on her bed, reading another one of her trashy romance novels. She flicks me an annoyed glance as I step into our room, then immediately re-focuses on her book and ignores my presence.

Ugh. It’s gonna be a long night in social purgatory.

CHAPTER 25

FORD

“Doyou think Raf went too far last weekend?” Wes grumbles, mashing the buttons on the gaming controller in his hands as he fights the enemy soldiers on screen.

Even if I wasn’t a goddamn genius, which Iam, I’d immediately understand what he’s referencing. Or rather,who, because he can’t seem to stop bringing it up.

Ava has been sullen and withdrawn all week, barely speaking to either of us. She never tries to talk to Raf, so nothing’s changed there, but she was at least somewhat conversational with me and Wes before Raf made her give me head in front of half the student body.

Now, it’s crickets.

As if she didn’t enjoy it.

Which is insane, because womenlovemy cock. Beg for it, even. And I let her have it for free.

You’d think she’d be thanking me.

“You’re not getting soft on us, are you?” I murmur, eyes focused on the TV screen as I maneuver my player over to cover Wes’. The idiot is always leaving himself open for an attack.

“No, I’m just trying to play the long game here,” he replies, hissing in a breath through his teeth as he narrowly evades a spray of enemy gunfire. “What fun is it if we break her too soon?”

It may just be his fragile conscience speaking, but he’s got a point. We’re only just getting started with Ava, and I’m not ready for our game to end, either. Jerking off to that video daily doesn’t quite scratch the itch that’s been festering beneath my skin since that first night we played with her.

There’s something different about this one, and it’s affecting all of us.

“Guess that’s for Raf to decide,” I reply blandly, giving up on covering Wes to focus on getting more kills under my belt instead. Saving his ass does nothing for my own game. “He might be letting us share in the fun, but this is still his revenge to dole out,” I remind him.

“Damn right it is,” Raf chimes in as he sweeps into the room like a phantom. He glances over at the TV, giving himself a front row seat to the impressive killing spree I’m currently on.

Murder’s more fun with an audience.

“I’ve got next,” he mumbles as he watches the massacre on screen.

Wes lets out an irritated grunt when his player takes a fatal hit, tossing the controller down on the couch between us as ‘game over’ flashes across his half of the screen. “All yours,” he mutters to Raf, pushing up from his seat and sliding his phone out of his pocket as he heads for the kitchen.

Raf immediately claims Wes’ spot, settling in on the couch, picking up the controller, and respawning his player. He then wastes no time in charging right into battle, joining me on my rampage.

“Uh, guys?” Wes calls out from the other room.

Neither of us respond, both completely absorbed in the game we’re playing. These graphics are tits; the blood spray looks deliciously real.

Kinda wish it was– it’s been too long since I’ve had blood on my hands.