SMUT WARNING || NSFW
In the midst of college life, Jade Holland discovers her father's betrayal, sending her world into chaos. Determined to reclaim her power, she finds herself entangled with a star player on her father's lacrosse team, igniting a...
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Jade
The campus was alive with chatter and laughter as students milled around under the string lights strung across the quad. The warm glow felt at odds with the cool breeze that bit at my skin. I tightened my jacket around me, wondering for the tenth time why I'd let Maggie talk me into coming.
"This'll be good for you," she'd said. "Fresh air, new faces, maybe even some fun for once."
Fun. Right. Because watching Garrison act like I was the worst human in the world at the party was such a blast. I'd been quiet the whole ride here, and Maggie, to her credit, didn't push. But now shes abandoning me.
"I'm going to find drinks!" Maggie shouted over her shoulder, already weaving through the crowd.
"Wait, Mag—" My voice got lost in the noise. She was gone.
I sighed and scanned the area. People were laughing, talking, huddled together in little groups. No one looked particularly friendly, and I didn't have the energy to fake a smile tonight. Maybe I could just find a quiet corner and wait for Maggie to reappear.
Of course standing near one of the tables, Garrison is leaned against it like he didn't have a care in the world. He was wearing a plain gray hoodie, hands tucked into the pockets, his hair slightly messy in that careless way that made my stomach flutter.
He hadn't noticed me yet, thank God. I could turn around, slip away before he does.
Then obviously his eyes locked on mine.
For a second, neither of us moved. The smile he'd been wearing faded, and something unreadable passed over his face. My pulse quickened, and I hated that I still felt this way—nervous, stupid.
I turned sharply and started walking the other way, not caring where I ended up.
As the event was coming to an end the lively chatter had quieted to soft murmurs, and the clusters of students scattered around the quad were thinning out. I hugged my arms around myself, the chilly night air creeping under my jacket. I'd spent most of the evening avoiding Garrison and talking to no one.
I'd spotted him again near the bonfire, talking to some of his teammates. His easy laughter had rung out over the music, and it had taken every ounce of willpower not talk to him. But I didn't. Instead, I found a quiet corner under the string lights, pretending to text Maggie while my stomach twisted in knots.
Maggie. Where was she?
I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked my messages again. Nothing.
The last text I'd sent her said, "Where are you? I'm ready to leave."
Still no response. I sighed, scanning the thinning crowd. She wasn't anywhere to be found, and I was starting to feel the sting of being left behind.
My phone buzzed, and I swiped it open to see a new message from Maggie. Finally.
