When Rivals Fall (Bayshore Rivals 1)

Oliver and Sullivan both smirk triumphantly before escorting me like two wingmen to the campus cafeteria. They make a show of it, opening doors for me like pure gentlemen. I can feel every single pair of eyes on me as we walk. Even the middle-aged lady handing out food is giving me the stink-eye. I want to tell her how much I dislike them following me around but don’t. Something tells me she wouldn’t care anyway.

When we finally sit down, people at the table next to us start whispering, leaning into each other. I don’t know what they’re saying but it isn’t hard to guess. One of the guys at the table stares at me creepily, and I swear I see him licking his lips as his gaze roams over my chest.

What the fuck?

The girl next to him—who I assume is his girlfriend—gets up to leave, and drags him by his arm out of the cafeteria. If looks could kill, her glare would have struck me dead ten times over.

“Someone might have spread a rumor that you are into some kinky stuff and looking for some more playmates because three guys aren’t enough for you,” Sullivan snickers before taking a bite of his sandwich. My cheeks heat instantly, and I use my golden hair as a curtain to hide my face from the group of people still sitting at the table nearby.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I whisper under my breath. The hunger I felt a minute ago vanishes and is replaced with sickening nausea. I’ve never even had sex before, and now I’m supposedly into some kinky multiple partner shit?

Shoving away the tray of food I get up to leave.

“Awe, come on, Harlow, it’s just a rumor,” Oliver teases when I push past him. Grasping on to the strap of my backpack like it could somehow save me, I rush out of the cafeteria, hoping that they’ll give me a little space. I need some time to myself, a few seconds to breathe and gather my thoughts.

Darting around the building I lean against the brick wall and press my hands to my hot face. Coming here was supposed to help me forget about my past, about North Woods, about all the things I did for my father, but I should have known better than to be so hopeful. I couldn’t just run away from what I’ve done, away from my problems. It didn’t mean I didn’t want to try though.

After a few minutes of breathing exercises, I finally succeed in calming down enough to think properly. Running a hand over my face and through my hair, I hope that I look like a normal person and not someone who is on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Straightening up I walk back around the building. Looking at my phone in shock, I realize I’ve been hiding out behind the building way longer than I thought.

Shit. I’m going to be late for my next class. Still looking down at my phone since there is a text from Shelby that I need to return, I start walking in the direction of the science building when I hear someone calling my name.

I’m grateful that it’s not one of the brothers. This voice is feminine.

“Hey, Harlow,” the voice is familiar and when I look up from my phone I spot the girl from the other night. Caroline? I think that’s her name, the tinker bell lookalike.

“Hi, Caroline,” I greet, “Sorry, but I’m running late. I have to get to the science building.”

“Environmental science 101?”

My brows furrow with confusion, “Ah, yeah. How did you know?”

“I’m heading to the same class,” she giggles, her brown head bopping. “I guess we’ll be late together then.”

For the first time today I smile, because the brothers’ are nowhere in sight, and I’m venturing out, making friends. The walk to class is a short one, but Caroline packs our walk full of questions. Like where I’m from, if I’m really dating all three of the Bishop Brothers? Apparently rumors spread faster than I thought in college.

We make it to class five minutes after it starts. The professor gives me a sour look but doesn’t say anything. My gaze sweeps around the class to find a seat, more eyes, and whispers.

Great. Only two chairs are free and of course Banks is sitting next to one of those free ones. He gives me a strangely warm smile, waving me over. Jesus, why can’t they just go away. I shake my head at him, but then watch Caroline take the other free chair, leaving me with no other option.

“Please take a seat, Miss,” The professor scolds, annoyance lacing his words.

With my head bowed in defeat, I slump down next to Banks and open my text book.

“Can I join your harem, Harlow?” Banks asks, and I know he’s just being a dick, rubbing the rumor in my face. Using my elbow I hit him in the side, and smile when he lets out a low grunt, letting me know that he didn’t see that one coming. Caroline gives me a bewildered expression, and I wonder if she believes me or the rumors being spread?