Agony (Entangled Hearts Duet 1)

“It’s not even a school-sanctioned event.”

I nod. “It is. It’s tradition.” Her shoulders deflate, and I know I’ve got her.

“Fine,” she grumbles. “I’ll go to your stupid bonfire.” I don’t hide my grin as she climbs off the bed and stomps toward the bathroom. “But I reserve the right to leave at any time.”

“Two hours minimum!” I yell as she disappears into the bathroom. I sit up and put my shoes back on, before stretching back out, keeping my feet hanging over the side of her bed.

“You owe me one, Reeves” is her muffled reply.

“Where’s your roommate?” I call out to her.

“Tessa is out with some guy she met at orientation. I guess they hit it off,” she says, coming back into the room. Her blonde hair is now hanging down around her shoulders, and I can tell she just ran her hands through it. Doesn’t matter though; Reese is naturally beautiful; she doesn’t need all the flair to stand out. “What?” she asks when she finds me staring at her.

“Nothing. You two hitting it off okay?”

“We are. I’m so glad. We’re a lot alike.”

“Except she’s out on a Saturday night and you’re here.”

“I’m going out.” She sticks her tongue out at me, causing me to laugh.

“Get used to it. I’m not letting you spend our college years hiding away in your dorm room.”

“Hush. It’s a nice room,” she counters. “Do you know how lucky Tessa and I are to have a room with a bathroom for just the two of us? That’s sacred and should be taken advantage of.”

“It’s the size of a Cracker Jack box.”

Another roll of her green eyes. “It’s mine.”

“What’s the point of all this freedom if you’re not going to use it?”

She laughs. “You act like we lived sheltered lives before college.” I raise my eyebrows, and her laugh grows louder. “Okay, but it was my choice. You, on the other hand, Mr. Social Butterfly.”

“Hey, don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

“You’re ridiculous. I hate that you’re a player, and I hate that game.” She gives me a pointed look.

“But you love football. All the more reason for you to come and hang out with the team tonight.”

“I already agreed to go,” she reminds me.

“Yes, but can you at least pretend to have a good time?” She’s shy, and it’s my goal to bring her out of her shell these next four years. She was shy in high school too, and I don’t want to say naïve, but she’s one of those girls who doesn’t know how pretty she is. She doesn’t even try. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to warn assholes to stay away from her. I refuse to see her be taken advantage of.

There was a short period of time a couple of months ago when I considered us being more. Then I came to my senses. She’s my best friend, and I value her, cherish our relationship. No way am I going to fuck it up like I do all my other relationships.

She exaggerates her smile. “How’s this?” she says, talking through her teeth.

“Perfect. Can you hold that for the entire night?”

“I agreed to two hours.”

“You’re going to have such a good time, you’ll be there until the sun comes up.”

“Don’t hold your breath, Coop. You ready?” She slides her cell phone into the back pocket of her short jean shorts. She’s wearing a Central U T-shirt and flip-flops. She couldn’t care less about impressing anyone. She is who she is without apologies.

“Finally,” I say dramatically. “I’m getting old over here.” I hold out my hand and have her pull me from her bed. “This thing is actually quite comfortable for a twin dorm room mattress.”

“See.” She throws her hand that’s not clasped with mine up in the air. “All the more reason to stay in and enjoy it.”

“Nice try, Reese. Let’s roll.” With a tug on her hand, I pull her out into the hallway, only stopping to make sure her door is closed and locked.

“Hey, Cooper,” a brunette calls out to me as we pass the common area on the first floor. I toss her a wink and a wave, and I don’t have to look over at Reese to know that those green eyes of hers are rolled back in her head.

She doesn’t comment until we’re in my Jeep and headed toward the bonfire. “We can’t even get out of my dorm without your harem calling out to you.”

“It’s just the hype about the season. Me being a freshman and starting and all that.” It was the same for me in high school—something she’s all too familiar with. She hated it then too.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get this night over with.”

Reaching over, I tap her thigh, resting my hand there. “Cheer up, Reese’s Cup. I got you.” She shakes her head, a grin pulling at her lips.