King of Campus

“With who?” A devilish smile tilts her lips upwards as she says, “Oh wait, let’s look online and see if my hunch is right.”

Crap. I kind of forgot about all the picture snapping BS… I’m almost afraid of what she’s going to find. Then again, maybe she won’t find anything. I didn’t notice anyone taking photos. Although, to be fair, I barely noticed there were people in the restaurant with us…

That’s unfortunately the effect Roan has on me.

She swipes her phone from the little rattan nightstand table next to her bed before tapping her screen. “Hmmm, looks like there are a hell of a lot more pictures of you and Roan posted here.” She shoves the phone in my face. “And surprise-surprise, here you two are at Peppino’s!”

She gives me a faux-shocked look. Complete with a hand to her mouth and big wide eyes. “And here you two are walking to class this morning,” one brow hikes up her forehead before practically hitting the ceiling, “and OMG, you’re holding hands!” This time I think the stunned look is actually real. My face heats as she continues staring at the screen as if she can’t quite believe what she’s seeing.

Unable to stand another moment, I nip the phone from her hand, my pizza all but forgotten as I scroll through the assortment of new pictures. This is un-freaking-believable! I mean, seriously! Glancing over at Lexie, I shake my head. “Don’t people have anything better to do with their time than stalk him?”

She snorts. “Roan King sightings with a girl out in public are a rarity, my dear Ivy.”

I’m still having a hard time understanding this level of curiosity. It’s just plain creepy to want to know so much about a person you don’t even know personally. “But still… he’s just a guy.”

She rolls her eyes as if I’m totally clueless. And maybe I am. All of this pseudo-fame he’s got going on kind of eludes me. “He’s a hot football playing god who will hopefully win the school a championship this season before turning pro. So yeah, he’s a major freaking deal around here. He has stalkers and gawkers aplenty.”

Between mouthfuls, she fires off both questions and comments. “So what’s going on between you two? I didn’t even know you guys were a thing.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m even saying that! Roan King serious about a girl! Color me completely shocked!” She throws her napkin down. “And you didn’t even tell me about any of this! You’ve been totally holding out.”

I can’t help but groan. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, Lex. This isn’t a serious thing.” Well, not yet, it isn’t... “We’re just…” I shrug my shoulders because I’m not really sure what to tell her.

Do I want to get serious with Roan?

Yeah… maybe I do.

But… I’m still not sure it’s a good idea. I really like when we’re alone together but out in public… that’s a totally different story. “Look, we’re just going out on a date.”

Looking a little bit like her usual self, she crows with delight. “Roan doesn’t take girls out on dates!”

I laugh at the bug eyed look she’s casting my way. “It’s one date. That’s it.”

The edges of her lips curl up and it’s like the sun shining brightly after a thunderstorm. So maybe, for just a moment, I’ll let her bask in her delusions regarding Roan and me.

And maybe I’ll bask in them as well.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Roan King is playing the best football of his life right now. Does it have something to do with the girl he’s been linked to? Inquiring minds want to know… KingOfCampus.com

“Are you sure you want me tagging along tonight?”

Roan slants a look my way before carefully asking, “That depends- does it make you uncomfortable that they’re gay?”

I drill him with a hard look of my own before rolling my eyes. “Absolutely not. I’m a dancer. Do you know how many gay guys I’ve worked with?” The answer to that question is- a whole hell of a lot.

A cheeky smile blooms across his face as he admits, “I like that you’re surrounded by gay men.”

“They’re not all gay,” I smirk. That would be a stereotype. And an untrue one at that.

Just as we’re walking up the sidewalk to his dad’s house, he yanks me against that chiseled chest of his right before his muscular arms snake their way around me, pulling me close. He growls, “Are you deliberately trying to make me jealous?”