Player (What Happens on Campus Book 1) (20 page)

“Who says you have a hot bod?” she countered, poking him in the side. “You’ve got some love handles going on here.” A total lie, but she liked teasing him.

That made him smile, one side of his mouth curving up higher than the other. “I guess I should get in more hours at the gym.”

“No, you spend enough time in the gym as it is.”

“You can’t have it both ways, sugar,” he drawled, spearing another bite of pie and shovelling it into his mouth.

Leaning over, she kissed his cheek. “I love you, flab and all.”

Once they were finished, everyone went upstairs to their rooms to get ready. Bypassing Terri’s room, Chloe walked up to Riley’s and knocked. When no answer was forthcoming, she cracked open the door and poked her head inside.

Music was blaring from the speakers and all the lights were on, including the fairy lights strung around the four-poster bed, which looked like it had been jumped on. Either that, or she’d been having sex.

“Riley, you in here?” she called, stepping inside and bending down to pick up a cuddly toy that was on the floor, walking over to put it back on the bed with the others.

“Bathroom,” came the yelled response.

Frowning, Chloe walked over to the ensuite and stood in the doorway, her eyebrows shooting up at the sight of Riley wearing lacy black underwear, one foot up on the toilet as she shaved her legs.

“Hiya!” Riley grinned, waving at her with the razor and flicking foam everywhere in the process.

“Err… Hi?” she lifted her hand in a half-wave.

Less than an hour ago, Riley had looked like she was dying and now she was bouncing around to the music, eyes bright and alive, smile big. Looking closer, Chloe realized her pupils were humongous.

“I took some aspirin and now I feel great!” she exclaimed, an excitable lift to her voice. “Tonight is going to be epic. I love getting all dressed up.”

“Yeah, I noticed. I should probably go too,” she said warily, backing away.

It was one thing to dabble with weed, but quite another if she was into the hard-core stuff, like Chloe was beginning to suspect. She never would have pinned Riley as someone who took drugs and the idea didn’t sit right with her; she didn’t know what to say, or what to do. She might be wrong though and she couldn’t just accuse her friend of doing something illegal, not without any evidence.

Retreating from the room, she padded back down the hall, knocked on Terri’s door before entering. Wearing boy-boxers and a vest, Terri was sitting cross legged on the bed playing a video game.

“Aren’t you getting ready?” Chloe asked.

“I will in a bit, it won’t take me long.”

“Oh, okay. Can I ask you something about Riley? Do you think she’s okay?”

Pausing her game, Terri shifted to face her, answering carefully, “I think she’s struggling. I take it you know about the whole gymnastics thing?”

“A little.”

“It must be hard for her, I get that, but Riley’s always been a drama queen and everything always gets blown out of proportion.”

“But aren’t you concerned about the way she’s acting? I’m not sure, but… I think… I think she might be on drugs.”

“You mean the weed?”

“Maybe, but I’m worried it might be something stronger.”

Biting her lip, Terri stared down at the bed, thinking for a minute before saying, “I’ll try to talk to her tonight but it probably won’t go down well. Christmas break is coming up though, at least that’ll get her away from Joey for a bit. He’s nothing but bad news.”

“I second that,” she murmured, reassured now that she had Terri onside. Cowardly as it sounded, it was a relief to be able to hand off the responsibility to Riley’s sister, someone who had the authority to butt into her life. “I’m going to start getting ready.”

An hour or so later, she’d showered, dried and curled her hair, painted her nails and put on a touch of make-up. Having just pulled on her dress, which had a helpful little zip down the side, though it appeared to lace up the back, Chloe sat on the bed to slip on her shoes and glanced over at Terri, who had only just come out of the shower.

Chloe had always prided herself on the fact that it took her less time than the average girl to get ready, but it seemed Terri had one-upped her in that department.

Standing in front of the mirror attached to the wardrobe door, Terri used the blow-dryer on her short hair, before finger combing it into place, applying some mascara and lip-gloss, and stepping into her dress. A simple, royal blue peice that ended just below her knees, it suited her perfectly.

Coupling it with a pair of ballerina pumps instead of heels, she announced, “Ready.”

“Should we go check on Riley?”

“Probably,” she answered with a heavy, put upon sigh.

Standing, she joined Terri by the door, proud that she didn’t wobble in her new heels and together they headed towards Riley’s room, only to find it empty.

“I guess she’s already downstairs,” Terri shrugged. As they approached the stairway, she commented, “Some people must have come early, I can hear voices.”

Hanging into the banister so that she didn’t fall as they descended, Chloe scanned the foyer, which had been turned into a ballroom, looking for Parker. For a moment, she almost didn’t recognise him with his back to her, his hair cut short and his broad shoulders looking drool-worthy in a crisp black suit. Thankfully, he’d left his cap upstairs.

Sensing her gaze, he turned and their eyes met, his hazels ones intense with a look she recognised all too well as he watched her walk towards him, the man he’d been talking to completely forgotten.

“Wow,” he mouthed, holding out a hand for her to take when she was near enough and slowly spinning her around so that he could take it all in. “Sugar, you look…” trailing off, he shook his head wordlessly and rubbed his free hand over his mouth.

Glowing with pride at the implied compliment, she leant forward to kiss him, the heels making her the perfect height. It was just meant to be a quick ‘hello’ kiss, but turned into something more. One hand cupping the back of her neck when she tried to move away, his other slide down to her lower back, pressing her closer to him until she could feel his body reacting to hers. All she’d have to do was press a little harder, maybe flick her tongue against his, or slide her hands up into his hair and he’d be hard as rock.

Was it cruel that she was itching to torture him by doing any one of those things?

Resisting the urge, she pressed her hands against his chest and eased them apart, taking a step back so that she could take a proper look at him all done up in his suit and tie.

“You look like James Bond.”

“Even with the love handles?”

She couldn’t control the burst of laughter that erupted as he grinned down at her. “Yeah, baby, even with your love handles.”

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her into his side and kissed her forehead, before directed her towards the man he had been speaking to. “There’s someone I want you to meet.” Gesturing to the older man, he said, “Chloe this is Drew Mathews, he used to coach the Giants when Troy played. Mr. Mathews, this is my girlfriend Chloe.”

Taking the hand he extended, she gave it a firm shake, smiling. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Miss,” he greeted, “your boyfriend’s very talented.”

“You don’t need to tell me that.” Glancing up at Parker, she leant into him, a sudden rush of pride surging though her.

God, she loved him, especially now when there was a mix of happiness and embarrassment on his face. She got the impression that he hadn’t received much praise growing up and didn’t really know what to do with it. That was something she’d have to change, she thought, because he deserved to know that he was a good guy, that he was talented and appreciated.

“He’s going to make one hell of an NFL player one day,” she announced.

“I believe you’re right.”

The evening went by in a haze of soft music, champagne and conversation. Chloe knew it wasn’t something Parker felt comfortable doing but he did a great job of talking to all the sports people who approached him. When she could see he was getting bored of it all, she crossed the room and slid her arm through his, receiving a smile in acknowledgement.

When their conversation reached a natural stopping point, she pulled on his arm to get his attention. “Come dance with me for a bit?”

Some of the other men laughed, but it wasn’t mean or mocking; they found them were cute, young and in love.

“You best go,” one of them commented, “I think your girl’s feeling neglected.”

“It was good to meet ya’ll,” Parker said, shaking hands before turning around and guiding her towards where the other couples were dancing to the gentle strains of the violin and the husky sound of the singers’ voice.

Pulling her into his arms, he murmured in her ear, “
Are
you feeling neglected, sugar?”

“No,” she nuzzled her face into his shoulder, her arms creeping around his back and up to grip his shoulders as they swayed together, “I just thought you needed a break from mingling.”

“Thanks,” he breathed against her ear, hot and intimate. They lapsed into silence for a few minutes, before he spoke up again, “This isn’t as fun as how we usually dance.”

“I’m sure I can make it up to you later.”

“Like a private show?”

“Yep,” she grinned, kissed his neck, “but don’t get too excited just yet, the party’s not over.”

“We could sneak off.”

“Behave,” she grinned, slapping at his chest. “Besides, there’s a whole section of people you haven’t talked to yet.”

Groaning, he dropped his head onto her shoulder, “Do I have to?”

“Yes, but not until after this dance.”

Two songs later, she pushed Parker off with a grin, before heading back towards Terri and Lorraine, who were talking to a small, smartly dressed man.

As she approached, Lorraine held out her arms, exclaiming, “Here she is. Doesn’t she look stunning, Frank?”

Realizing this was the man who’d supplied her dress, Chloe held out a hand for him to shake. “Thank you so much for lending me this dress, it’s absolutely beautiful.”

“It’s my pleasure, dear,” he grinned over at Lorraine, “anything for my favourite client.”

Whilst they talked, Chloe glanced around the room and caught sight of Riley. Wearing a short pink dress, far too short for a formal party like this, she was flirting outrageously with a Hispanic guy, who looked to be around their age. Upon closer inspection, she realized she knew him from campus. Cameron, the name came to her in a flash, the guy they’d met at the frat party with his drunk friend, the one who used to go to school with the twins.

As she watched, Riley took his hand and led him upstairs. However, less than ten minutes later Cameron rushed back down the stairs, hair sticking up at odd angles and a steak of pink lipstick at the side of his mouth. That was quick…

Excusing herself, she made her way over to him, making him jump guiltily when she appeared by his side and said, “You’re Cameron, right?” When he nodded, she continued, “Hi, I’m Chloe, Riley’s friend. Is she all right?”

“I think so…” He frowned. “I’m not sure, she’s acting… strange.”

“Yeah, I know,” she sighed, before glancing up to see Riley bounding down the stairs. “Go find a mirror and sort yourself out,” she advised him over her shoulder as she went to meet Riley at the bottom step. “Are you okay?” she asked her friend.

“Of course,” she chirped, “why wouldn’t I be? This party is brill!” And with that, she waltzed off, over to a group of older men standing at the bar. 

Things finally wrapped up around 3 a.m. and Lorraine sent the staff home as soon as the last guest left, telling them they could come back to clean in the morning instead. Everyone was drooping, except for Lorraine, who looked as cool and collected as ever, and Riley who was totally wired, dancing around with a bottle of champagne in one hand, even though there was no music playing now that the band had left.

“Riley, get a glass for that,” her mum reprimanded, “drinking out of the bottle is so uncouth.” Hands on hips, she looked around the room. Chloe looked too and was relieved to see that, unlike after a party at the university, the place wasn’t a total wreck. There were empty glasses here and there, but nothing was broken, which was always a good sign. Beginning to collect glasses, she gave a jaw cracking yawn, her eyes itching with tiredness.

“Leave that,” Lorraine said, waving a hand at the stairs, “go to bed, kids. I hope ya’ll had a good time tonight.”

Thanking the Murphy’s for a great evening, she said goodnight and headed upstairs, Parker and Jet doing the same before following behind her. Up in their room, she fell face first onto the bed, listening to the guys talking at the door.

After a few minutes, the door clicked shut and the mattress dipped as Parker lay next to her, sprawled on his back. “Tonight wasn’t totally awful.”

“I thought it was good fun,” she said, turning her head to look at him. “Admit it, you had fun too.” An unwilling grunt in response. “Come on,” she patted his chest as she levered herself up and off the bed, “get your clothes off.”