Lexie snorts. “You would know all about that. You like to spread yourself equally thin.”
Jillian shoots Lexie a death glare before the three girls finally stalk away. I realize as I watch them go, that I’m actually shaken by the confrontation. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I also realize that a few people have stopped to watch the encounter as well. They’re whispering to one another as my wide eyes stare blindly around me.
Feeling utterly humiliated, I grab Lexie’s arm before towing her towards the parking lot where her car is located.
“Hey, I thought we were grabbing lunch at the caf?”
I shake my head. My appetite has just pulled a disappearing act. All I want right now is to get off this damn campus and away from the constant glare of the spotlight. For god’s sake, it’s not even a spotlight that’s shining down on me. This girl came after me because I’m with Roan.
Unbelievable.
“Let’s just go somewhere else.”
Understanding instantly floods through her. “Yeah, sure.” We find her little silver Jetta before pulling open the doors. Slumping onto the front seat, I throw my messenger bag into the back before finally turning towards Lexie who is staring sympathetically at me.
“What in the hell was that?” I finally ask before shaking my head. “Did that seriously just happen?” Because I can’t believe it did. I’ve never had a problem with anyone before. And I really do try to treat people the way I would want to be treated. That’s one of the lessons my mother taught me and I try not to ever forget it.
That girl- Jillian- had a shitload of nerve marching up to me and saying something so unbelievably rude. She doesn’t even know me. She doesn’t know anything other than the fact that Roan has taken an interest in me. And apparently, for that very reason, she’s decided to dislike me. I can’t get over how childish that is. In all honesty, Jillian is gorgeous. Way more beautiful than I’ll ever be. She probably has legions of men trailing after her. And yet she wants one who isn’t interested.
Lexie blows out a long slow breath before finally saying, “Look, Jillian is nothing more than a skanky whore who has a massive hard-on for Roan. When I started hanging out with Dylan and Roan second semester last year, she was always hovering around him.” Lexie rolls her eyes. “I think she’d blow him in front of a room full of people just so he’d give her the time of day.”
That thought actually makes me physically sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine feeling so desperate for someone’s attention that I would disrespect myself like that. I can’t help but feel sorry for her. For the low self-esteem and self-worth she obviously struggles with.
Something tightens in the pit of my belly as I slowly force out the words, “So she’s been with him? He’s had sex with her?”
Lexie eyes me for a long silent moment before admitting, “Yeah, he has.”
Of course he has… I stare up at the creamy white interior of her car because I don’t know what else to do. Is this what I’m now going to have to put up with? These jealous women seeking me out, telling me to my face that I’m not good enough for him? I’m almost embarrassed when I feel the hot sting of tears prick the back of my eyes.
Damn it!
Lexie reaches out, rubbing my arm gently. “She’s a spiteful bitch, Ivy. Don’t pay any attention to her.”
I huff out a shaky little laugh. “Well, that’s a little hard to do when she’s all up in my face, spewing her garbage.”
“I know.” She sighs, “I went through a little bit of that last year when I got together with Dylan. After a while, it died down and then it wasn’t such a big deal.”
“I really like him.” The words slip easily off my tongue before I can think better of it.
She gives me a small smile. “I know you do, sweetie.”
Rolling my head to the side, my eyes lock on hers. “He’s not the asshole jock I thought he was.” Actually, he’s not an asshole at all.
Her lips curve upwards just a bit. “No, he’s not. I think it’s just,” her words falter for a moment before she continues, “I think it’s just his way of dealing with all the attention. I mean, you’ve seen the way people are constantly following him around, talking to him. And the girls… there’s certainly no shortage of them. They’re always throwing themselves at him. Whether he wants them to or not.”
“Yeah, I know.”
In that moment I realize that all Jillian whoever-the-hell-she-is wants from Roan is the status and attention that comes from being linked to a guy like him. It’s appalling just how many mercenary bitches out there want him simply for what he can do for them.