“I need all my stuff. Like all of it. I’m supposed to go to class and I’m wearing this.” I waved my hand in front of my body.

“How much time we got?” He flipped the covers off and got out, stretching.

How was a girl supposed to talk when he was doing…all that? He was wearing black fitted boxers and still had on his chains.

I looked down at my phone’s screen like it had the answers. “Class is at ten. It’s 9:45.”

“I got you.” He tossed me the pack of gum and I slid out a piece.

He rushed into his closet and I realized it was far more than what I was expecting. It was a full-on extra room, which made sense. Austin made money on social media. He was known for fashion and eclectic ways of framing everyday items. Most people my age were following him on TikTok. He was pretty good at shielding his actual appearance, so he had found a way to be sort of mini-famous without actually having too many of the pitfalls.

I trailed behind him. He had all kinds of cameras, makeup, and clothing, and it was meticulously organized. I felt every girly part of me swoon.

He studied me up and down in a way that seemed clinical, and then he flipped through the options. “I’ll drive you. What building is your class in?”

I caught the soft, long, black skirt he tossed and slipped it on over my shorts. Then I had a tank top and a sweater to manage. Next, I had a pair of boots. The outfit was quick and effortlessly perfect for walking in the city. “Parker, Eastside.”

Austin grabbed a ponytail holder and a makeup case. “Let’s go.”

While he was picking out my stuff, he’d been building his own outfit. Jeans, a white sweater, and a slouchy beanie were all I could see. I grabbed my backpack and phone as Austin threw open his door. A wall of weed smell hit us.

Austin peeked over his shoulder, mouthing, “Sorry.”

There were so many actual humans in his living room. I was counting at least five. Two of them were naked.

Endgame was slouched in a chair holding a glass, swirling the caramel colored liquid inside it.

His eyes were mostly red. His voice was quiet and meant for only Austin, but I heard him anyway. “Done with her that quick?”

“Shut it,” Austin bit out his reply and I had no idea why his words made tears prick in my eyes.

Endgame rolled his eyes.

Austin opened the door and held it for me. I hustled through it. Once I was in the hall, Austin leaned back in the apartment and hissed something I couldn’t hear.