Swiping the coffee and running off, the guy hauls ass out of University Hall leaving me alone with Katrina. Shudder. That name. I can’t call her that. Kat? Hell no. Trina? Nah, she doesn’t seem the type. Rina? Eh.

She makes a little sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh that sounds like the sweetest purr. I smile. She’s not a Kat, she’s a cute, playful Kitty.

“Where were we, Kitty?” I lean against the counter and she rolls her eyes and crosses both arms against her chest like she’s annoyed by the nickname. Too bad the movement only draws more attention to her tits that push out from the contact. She’s got a nice rack, bigger than average. When I meet her eyes, I don’t miss the heat and a hint of amusement in them. She may not like the words that are coming out of my mouth, but she likes me.

“I was trying to blow you off and you weren’t taking the hint.”

“Just trying to save you from making a huge mistake.” I lean in to see if she’s bluffing. She is. Her breathing hitches and she stills as if she’s holding her breath. I don’t know why she’s playing hard to get. “And it would be a huge mistake.”

“You’re wasting your time, Joel Moreno. I know all about the carnage you leave behind.”

She first and last named me. She’s as good as naked.

“Whatever you heard, forget it. The only thing I’ve left in my path is happy, satisfied women. What’s wrong with a little fun? Only live once. Yolo, and all that. How about dinner tonight?”

“Sorry, I’m going to be washing my hair.”

“What a coincidence I’ve got a shower and I’ll even let you stay after to use it.” My gaze rake over her again. “I think I might need one too after I’m through with you.”

She snorts and uncrosses her arms. “No, thanks.”

No clue why she’s putting me off when I can tell the attraction is mutual. I shrug and push off the counter. Her loss. Although, as I take one last good look at her it feels a little like my loss.

2

JOEL

Nathan plops onto my unmade bed. “Party at Theta house tonight, you in?”

I toss my cell on the bed, ignoring the three text messages from Shelly aka cat girl. “I don’t know. Might just stay in.”

He raises both eyebrows. “Sick?”

“Nah, just not feeling it.”

My roommate leans on one elbow waiting for an explanation. If it were any one of my other roommates, I’d get a pass. Wes is too caught up in Blair and Z operates like a full court press. Only the most aggressive and determined get past his intimidating front – which it totally is. Guy’s a teddy bear underneath, just don’t tell him I said so.

“You ever go into the café at University Hall?”

“Nah, I don’t like coffee. This about Blair?” His face pales and he looks legit nervous. “Please don’t tell me you slept with her. Wes will kill you – like actually kill you. Fuck, it’d be entertaining to see that guy get worked up over something besides basketball, but I’m pretty fond of our pad here. Beats dorm living.”