Professor

A moment later they were coming back over to me and gesturing for me to follow. We headed to the back and lucked out when we spied an empty table. Keeping my back to the crowd, I grabbed the drink she handed me and took a sip. It was strong, so much so that my eyes watered.

I coughed and sputtered, staring at her and watching as she laughed.

“Figured if you were gonna get an underage drink, might as well make it a Long Island Iced Tea.” She grinned again and leaned against her newest boy toy. “Suck it down, Gracie. I don’t want us to get caught.”

I inhaled deeply and brought the straw to my mouth, drinking it fast, the burn settling right in the pit of my stomach. When I was finished, I wheezed out, my eyes watering fiercely, the alcohol immediately going to my head. She pulled the glass toward her so it looked like she’d been drinking it.

“How old are you anyway?” Letterman Craig said, his arm wrapped around Sherry, his other hand underneath the table and suspiciously close to her. I could only imagine what they were doing, what he was doing to her.

“I’m twenty.”

He nodded, but it was clear he wasn’t paying attention to me.

Sherry said something in his ear that had an aroused look crossing his face. And then he turned and started kissing her.

God.

I scrunched my nose, immediately feeling uncomfortable watching them make out, so I turned away to face the club.

I was so not an extrovert, and that was obscenely clear as I watched all these people dancing. The music was starting to give me a headache, or maybe it was the rush of alcohol through my veins. I was already buzzed, the liquor slowly climbing through my body.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. Beads of perspiration dotted my skin. My heart felt like it was racing, and my face felt like it was on fire. Drinking always made my face red, and judging by how hot it felt, I’d already gotten to that level.

“Sherry, maybe I should go.” I looked over my shoulder at her and saw she was all but on top of her date. “I’m not feeling the best. That drink went right to my head.” She broke the kiss and looked over at me.

“What?” she shouted, her brows knitted.

“I’m not feeling so well. That drink was strong,” I shouted back.

She gave me that look a parent gave a child. “You didn’t eat before coming, did you?”

Did a croissant from the coffee shop count?

I shrugged.

She shook her head. “Want me to take you home?”

Letterman Craig gripped her chin and attempted to turn her head for another kiss, but she pushed his hand away, her attention focused on me. “We can head out if you’re not feeling the best.”

I hadn’t even been here that long and already I was ruining her night. Of course, she didn’t say that, and I wasn’t getting that vibe from her, but she was having a good time. “I’ll be fine. I’ll wave down a server and get some water.”

“You sure?”

I nodded and smiled. “I’m good.” I could tough this out. Her look was skeptical. “Seriously. I’m fine.” I gave her a thumbs-up and immediately felt like an idiot. She laughed and went back to kissing Craig.

I just needed some cold water. As if my prayers were answered, a waitress walked by. After ordering some water, getting the glass, and chugging half of it, I felt a little better and not so hot.

It was only a matter of minutes since I’d sucked down the drink, but already I was feeling the alcohol do its job. I was a cheap date, that was for sure. That one drink, especially for as strong as Sherry had gotten it, would no doubt have me buzzed for a good while.

And even though I’d said I was fine, the thought of leaving and going home to curl up in bed sounded pretty damn good right about now.

6

Professor Goode

This was not my scene. It was loud and obnoxious, crowded and hot. The age group for the Olive seemed to be eighteen to twenty-five.

I was out of place. Tossing back shots and grinding with sorority girls had never been something I participated in, not even when I fit in with this age group.

I was here for one reason, one person.

Grace.

As I scanned the club, looking for her, I felt my body tighten further. I didn’t like her here. I didn’t want her here. The amount of testosterone in this place, inhibitions lowered because of the alcohol flowing, would put her in a position that wasn’t safe.

I knew what guys thought about, what they wanted to do. They had one thing on their mind and that was getting in the pants of a girl with her inhibitions down. And although Grace was smart and I hoped wouldn’t fall for that shit, there were plenty of assholes who didn’t know when to stop.