Page 7 of Tempting the Goalie (Riverside U #5)

CHAPTER FIVE

I sabelle

“Priya, we’re going out tonight,” I announce the minute she answers the phone.

“Nope, I’m staying home to work on an assignment,” she insists, which doesn’t surprise me. For us a wild Friday night is getting together to watch a movie and splurging on takeout.

“Priya, we’re going to a bar with Luc and his friends from the hockey team,” I say slowly.

“What?” she asks, alarmed.

“You heard me. Luc doesn’t want me to be his pretend girlfriend after all, but I’m still hanging out with him to help him clean up his image, and he said you and Yuna can come along,” I explain.

“There’s no way we’ll convince Yuna to go to a bar,” Priya insists. She isn’t wrong.

“We will if we tell her we’re hanging out with hot hockey players. . .”

“OMG, this is like a dream come true,” Priya chimes.

“I didn’t know you had a thing for hot hockey players,” I note.

“You learn something new every day,” she replies. “What are you getting out of this? Did Luc agree to be your sex teacher?”

“I wish. No, he’s pretty adamant about keeping our friendship platonic. He’s worried sex will screw things up.” I sigh.

“He isn’t wrong,” Priya says.

“I know, but I’m feeling like shit over West. I’m clearly broken.”

“Don’t speak that way about yourself. He was a player.”

“So I got played. How stupid am I?” I groan.

“You’re brilliant. It’s West who was missing brain cells.

Besides, if Luc doesn’t want to be your teacher, then I’m sure you can find someone who will.

You’re so beautiful. We’ll dress you up nice and put some makeup on you, and maybe you’ll catch the eye of one of Luc’s teammates. They must be as experienced as him.”

I would rather my sex tutor be Luc because I can trust him, but since he isn’t willing to take on the task, Priya is right. I need to hook up with one of his teammates.

“I have nothing to wear. The sexiest things in my closet are skinny jeans and sneakers,” I remind. “This totally sucks. I wanted to find some hot guy, or at least look so hot that Luc won’t be able to deny me.”

“I hate to say this,” Priya begins warily. “But getting sexual with your best friend is friendship suicide, and I know how much he means to you.”

“Gah, you’re right,” I grunt.

That’s when I remember we got dressed up as Charlie’s Angels for Halloween this year. I didn’t think of those dresses as real clothes, so I forgot about them until now.

“Priya, I have the answer,” I blurt. “Why didn’t I think of this before?”

“Oh no, this doesn’t sound promising,” she replies, her tone laced in worry.

“Remember those bodycon dresses we bought for Halloween? The three of us can wear them out tonight,” I suggest.

“You want the three of us to show up wearing the same dresses?” she asks as if the suggestion is weird.

"It's better than our usual jeans and hoodies. You guys should come over here to get ready. We can pool our makeup together and do our hair. It’ll be a memorable night for all of us.”

“Um, I guess that makes sense. I’ll call Yuna and shower. I should probably shave my legs and my bikini. The last time I saw any action was freshman year.”

I wince. “Good idea, call Yuna and be over here by eight. Luc said he’s picking me up around eleven.”

“You need three hours to get ready?” she asks, flabbergasted.

“For what I have planned I do.”

The doorbell rings just as I’m brushing through my wet hair. I showered, shaved, and plucked my eyebrows.

“I’ll get it,” I shout to my roomies. I run to the door wearing an oversized white T-shirt and a pair of light gray sweatpants.

Yuna and Priya stand in the doorway with wet hair and a backpack on each of their shoulders. “I can’t believe I allowed you guys to convince me to go to a bar on a Friday night,” Yuna says, giving me a half hug before walking past me.

“I told her we were all going to be old spinsters if we didn’t go.” Priya shrugs and gives me a half hug.

“Come in and let the transformation begin,” I say dramatically.

My roommate, Norah, passes us in the hall. “Big plans tonight?” she asks. We aren’t close but we get along just fine.

“We’re going to a bar,” I say to her.

“Someone’s birthday?” she asks.

“Nope,” I say. “Just going to meet some friends.”

“Cool. Have a good night.” She walks past us toward the main area of the house. The three of us head up to my room.

“For the sake of efficiency, I think one of us should work on hair while the other two work on makeup,” Yuna suggests, which isn’t surprising because she’s doing a math minor and focusing on statistical analysis.

“That works, who wants to do hair first?” I ask.

“You should go first since you have the longest hair,” Priya suggests.

I blow out my hair while Priya helps Yuna apply eyeshadow.

“You better not make me look like a clown,” Yuna says to her.

“No guarantees.” She winces. “I didn’t have dress shoes so I’m wearing sneakers.”

“Damn, me too,” Yuna says.

“I have heels but there’s no way I’m wearing them to a bar. I also hope it isn’t too cold outside because I don’t have tights, and leggings will probably look weird with the dress,” I state.

“Dude, we’re walking into a bar all dressed the same. That is freaking weird,” Yuna says. “Leggings are the least of your problems and it’s freezing outside, so you better hope Luc will be willing to warm you up.”

Priya smacks Yuna’s shoulder. “Ouch.”

“I told you she gave up on having Luc give her lessons. We’re going for one of his friends,” Priya clarifies.

I finish blow-drying my hair and pass the dryer to Priya. Her makeup is done but it looks very light.

My bedroom door is open when Norah walks by. “Do you guys need any help? Like with your makeup. I’m practically a makeup artist.”

The three of us stare at each other and a look of acceptance passes between us. “That would be great,” I say to Norah. “Thanks.”

Norah leaves my room and returns with three different makeup caddies.

She gets to work on me first. She puts mascara on my already long dark lashes and uses eyeliner in a way that makes my eyes look deep and sexy. She finishes the look with red lipstick.

“I think the lipstick is too much,” I say when I look in the mirror.

“It’s perfect,” Norah assures. “Who’s next?”

Yuna steps up and Norah gets to work. “You’re getting red lipstick too.”

“Oh no, red lipstick screams I want to have sex,” Yuna says, terrified.

Norah laughs but Priya and I know that Yuna isn’t joking.

“You’re going to a bar. Don’t you want to find a hot guy to have some fun with?” Norah asks her as she applies blush on her cheeks.

“I’m not sure. Fun could be good, but I’ve never had any,” Yuna says innocently.

“Ah, gotcha,” Norah replies. “Well, there is a first time for everything. This red lipstick will help you flirt. You’ve got gorgeous lips.”

“Thanks,” Yuna says to her.

With her make up done, I move over to the bed and lay the three black dresses across it.

“You guys are all wearing the same dress?” Norah asks wide-eyed. “You girls really don’t get out much.”

She doesn’t say it in a mean way. It’s just a fact.

“I’ll go to my room and pick out some options,” she offers, and turns on her heel before any of us have a chance to protest.

She returns moments later. “I brought a pair of skinny jeans with this top,” she says holding up a tight black top that plunges in the front.

“That would be great for Priya, she has a nice rack to show off.” I wink.

“Thanks,” Priya says.

“And here’s a plaid skirt and a cropped T-shirt. You may be cold, but this outfit is going to look fire on you,” Norah says to Yuna.

“Oh, wow, this is really like Halloween,” Yuna replies with a jittery voice.

“You girls are gorgeous. You all clean up nice,” Norah compliments.

“Thanks so much for all your help,” I say to her.

“No worries.” She waves me off. “Just give my clothes to Izzy and I’ll get them back from her.”

“Of course,” Priya says. “Can I have some of that red lipstick too?”

Norah’s blue eyes pop. “Hell yes.” She walks over to Priya and does her lips happily.

“When you guys are dressed, give me a shout and I’ll take some pics of you guys,” Norah says.

“Will do,” I say.

Norah leaves and we all get dressed. With these clothes on we look like different people altogether.

We take a few silly selfies before heading over to Norah’s room. She takes some pictures of us.

My phone rings and I see Luc’s name come up on the screen. I duck out of her room and head into the hall to pick up the call.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Do you still want to go out?” he asks.

“Yes, Priya and Yuna are here too. They’re going to join us,” I say.

I hear him blow out a breath and mutter something I can’t understand. “See you in ten, Mon coeur.”

“I’ll be ready,” I say to him, and we end the call.

He sounds down, which is understandable with all the drama he’s dealing with.

“Let’s get our shoes and jackets on. Luc will be here any minute,” I say to my friends since the hockey house is only a few minutes away by car.

The girls thank Norah for her generosity and we head downstairs. I put on my white sneakers and my puffer coat.

“You’re showing off quite a bit of leg,” Yuna teases, waggling her brows at me.

“Same to you.” I laugh.

“I feel so sexy,” she says, touching her red lips.

“It’s crazy how a little makeup and a pretty dress can make you feel good,” I say.

“Come on, guys. We don’t need makeup and sexy clothes to feel good,” Priya reminds.

“I know, but I feel so sexy. This is what society expects us to look like. This is what West wanted me to be,” I confess.

Priya frowns.

“I get what you’re both saying. We should never dress or wear makeup for someone else. But I like this feeling for myself. Fuck men. I’m being sexy for me,” Yuna cheers.

Priya and I burst into laughter.

“Come on,” Yuna says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “We look hot and we can own that on our own terms.”

Luc honks his horn, and we head out to his car. I get in the front seat and Yuna and Priya sit in the back.

“W-what are you wearing?” Luc asks, looking stunned.