Page 5 of Red Card (Prescott University #1)
I laugh. “Wrenny, it’s not nice to brag. You know it’s never too late to make a comeback.”
Of course they don’t though, because we’re undefeated, and I am not giving up my title that easily.
After the game finishes, Wren wanders off to find a girl he’s been texting all night, and I’m on my own, walking around the house to find the kitchen for another drink.
It’s barely midnight, but the three drinks I had earlier have my head feeling light and my limbs heavy as I push my way through the crowd.
All I had to eat today was a protein bar and a pack of gummy worms, which I’m realizing is not ideal when drinking, but it explains why the alcohol has hit me so quickly.
Note to self: no more vodka cocktails on an empty stomach.
Even if they’re sugary and packed full of delicious carbs.
In the kitchen, I finally get another drink, eagerly swallowing the alcohol from the plastic cup.
“Rory, hey!”
My gaze lifts, and I see Carson Wright standing in front of me wearing a wide smile that shows two perfect dimples in his cheeks.
Oh God.
He’s here .
Somehow between the alcohol and playing beer pong with Wren, I had nearly forgotten about meeting him here. That had been the perfect distraction, and now that Carson’s standing in front of me, my stomach dances with nerves.
Lifting my hand awkwardly, I offer him a small wave. “Hi.” It comes out as a squeak, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the alcohol or the fact that he’s talking to me outside of our pharmacology class. Or that he actually came.
He’s tall, lean, and ridiculously hot, wearing a soft burgundy sweater and a pair of acid-washed jeans and old Converses.
The thick black glasses on his face make him resemble a young Henry Cavill, and I think maybe I should just not say anything at all in fear of embarrassing myself, which is something I am very very likely to do.
You can do this, Rory. You’ve got liquid courage. You came here for a reason.
That reason is standing literally right in front of you.
“I’ve been looking for you. I saw Liam in the backyard, and he said you came with Fitz,” he says with a raspy chuckle, pushing his thick black-framed glasses up on his nose. “You having fun?”
“Mm-hmm, yes. Definitely. How about you?” I nod enthusiastically, waving my hands as I speak. Jesus, what am I even doing? What am I even supposed to be doing with my hands right now?
His shoulder lifts as his grin widens. “Better now.”
Oh God. My stomach flips, doing somersaults inside me.
What does that even mean? Better now ? Better because he’s seen… me?
Is this… Could this be my moment?
I’ve thought he was cute for like the entire semester but never had the courage to say anything to him outside of our conversations in class about homework and study guides. Until today, when he asked me to come here and I said yes.
I laugh and it comes out slightly awkward and a little too loud. “Uh, yeah? Th-thanks for asking me to come tonight.”
He nods, stepping in closer and my heart actually begins to hammer in my chest as if it’s trying to break free. “Yeah, of course. So this is embarrassing and stupid, but I just need to come out and say it,” he starts, and I nod along with each syllable.
“No, totally, you can tell me anything,” I say, blinking rapidly. My fingers tighten around the plastic cup in my hand as I wait for him to speak, trying to calm the rapid thrum of my heart.
The expression on his face turns sheepish as he reaches up and rubs his hand along the nape of his neck. “Uh… Do you think you could be my wing woman tonight? You know Adrina from class? She’s here tonight, and I’m really into her and could use some help talking to her. I’m kinda really nervous?”
“Oh,” I say, bringing my cup to my lips to hide my disappointment. “Uh… that’s why you asked me here tonight?”
His brow pulls together tightly. “Yeah? You’re so easy to talk to, Rory, like one of my guys. I thought maybe you could help me get a date with her? She’s your lab partner so I figure that you probably know each other well?”
The hot, bitter sting of tears prick behind my eyes, but somehow I plaster on a smile to mask the hurt.
Of course. Rory the wing woman. Rory… just one of the guys .
God, I’m such an idiot.
Completely a fool to come here tonight.
I mumble a quick excuse to Carson and make a beeline for the bathroom, wiping away the silly, ridiculous tears and trying to pull myself together before anyone sees me upset.
After a few minutes of pretending that it doesn’t bother me that I just completely embarrassed myself in front of Carson, I find Fitz in the backyard and tell him I’m going to head home.
There’s no way I want to stay at this party after what happened, and honestly, even though I’m sure the alcohol had a lot to do with the tears, I don’t want to be here anymore. Tonight did not go the way I hoped it would, and my entire mood has completely gone down the drain.
“Let’s go back to your apartment, Ror,” Fitz whispers against my ear, tightening his arm around my shoulders as if he senses that something is wrong.
I nod wordlessly, leaning into him. The entire walk back to my apartment, I’m quiet, replaying what happened in my head.
I was so stupid to think Carson would want anything from me. Stupid to think my version of flirting, word vomiting and awkward giggling, was anything he’d ever be interested in.
Tonight proved exactly what I’ve been afraid of.
That I’ll only ever be just the wing woman, and never anything more.