I lift one shoulder. “A degree isn’t really necessary for what I want to do.”

Play pro ball and then be a broadcaster. The degree is important for my parents and there is something special in being a second-generation graduate from the college my dad helped build.

He grabs his phone. “I’ll text you Sara’s number, but I’m meeting up with her next week if you want to tag along. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to answer whatever questions you have.”

“Cool. Thanks.” I feel the vibration of my phone in my pocket and resist looking at it. It’s been going off every few minutes. I’m sure my absence downstairs has been noticed because I’m never not in the center of a party at The White House.

I don’t make any move to leave and Z lifts a brow. “Any particular reason you’re up here asking me about this now instead of getting lit and making out with half of the women’s tennis team?”

I chuckle. It was the women’s beach volleyball team and it was one blurry night that I don’t even remember.

“Ever feel like you’re not the person everyone thinks you are?”

He regards me seriously. “Every day.”

I don’t know why Z keeps to himself the way he does. I’ve never pressed him on it. Guess I assumed it was his way of keeping his focus on ball and his goals, but now I wonder if it’s something else entirely that keeps him up here while the rest of us are enjoying our thirty seconds of fame.

“Only a few months left, might want to consider sucking it up and enjoying what’s left of college.”

He shakes his head. “I’d rather stay up here.”

“Suit yourself.”

I leave Z to do whatever it is he does locked away in his room and I head down to the party.

Downstairs, Blair spots me from across the room and dashes away from Wes toward me. “I heard Katrina and Christian were at the game.” Her voice goes up ten octaves as she talks animatedly with both hands. “Can I assume that was your doing?”

When I nod, Blair’s smile is nuclear.

“I think I underestimated you, but I’m a little disappointed you’re here when you know there’s no way she can bring Christian to this sort of thing.”

“Yeah, well it doesn’t matter.”

She crosses her arms as clear a sign as any that she’s not budging until I fill her in.

I take another drink. Liquid courage. I’ve caught feelings and this sucks.

“We were supposed to go out after the game, but she canceled via text.”

“And she didn’t say why?”

“Nope.”

“Did you ask?” Blair presses.

I shake my head and she lets out an exasperated sigh that somehow still sounds chipper and upbeat. “There are a million totally legit reasons why she might have bailed. Instead of sulking around here getting wasted, why don’t you ask her? Better yet, go over there and talk to her in person.”