2
Campbell
Kids by MGMT vibrated through the walls, the low hum of conversation and laughter weaving into the chaos of the frat house. I stood at the makeshift Beer Pong table in the middle of the living room, the glow of neon lights casting shadows across the crowd. The air reeked of spilled beer and cheap cologne, but I was in my element. Parties like these were my playground, and I thrived on the attention they brought.
I grinned, lining up my shot, the ping-pong ball poised between my fingers. Across the table, my teammate Kendall boasted and tried to intimidate me, but I remained unfazed. My gaze flickered to the side, catching a group of girls standing near the corner, their eyes on me. They giggled behind their red cups, their expressions filled with intrigue and anticipation.
“Pay attention, Atwood.” Kendall said.
I smirked, tipping my chin in acknowledgment before sending them a wink. The brunette covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing as her friends whispered to each other.
“Dude, take the shot!” Evan, another teammate, called, slapping me on the back.
I turned my attention to the table, adjusting my aim with the practiced precision from far too many nights like this one. With a flick of my wrist, the ball soared and landed in the cup at the table’s edge. The room erupted into cheers as we raised our arms in victory. I soaked in the attention as I raised a playful middle finger at Kendall. He rolled his eyes with a grin, taking the loss on the chin. However, the thrill of the game wasn’t enough to keep me tethered to the table. The girls in the corner still held my interest, their smiles coy, eyes lingering. I grabbed a fresh beer from the counter and strolled toward them, my steps confident.
“Having fun, ladies?” I asked, my voice smooth, loud enough to carry over the music but still intimate enough to feel personal.
They lit up at my approach, their laughter bubbling up like champagne. One of them twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.
“We were just watching you crush it at Beer Pong.” She said, biting her lip in a way that told me she wanted my attention.
“Yeah?” I asked, leaning in, the move deliberate. “Well, it’s not just Beer Pong I’m good at.”
The innuendo wasn’t subtle, and it landed, judging by the way they laughed, their cheeks glowing. I loved this part—the chase, the banter, the way they hung on my every word like I was some legend. But before I could push it further, a familiar figure slid beside me, her presence cutting through the moment like a blade. Nevaeh. Fuck.
“Hey, Campbell.” She said, her voice saccharine, but her hand on my arm was anything but.
She hooked her fingers onto my elbow, tugging me toward her. The girls exchanged awkward glances, their laughter dying as quickly as it had started. One by one, they drifted off, their smiles fading into polite excuses. I frowned, watching them go, frustration flickering in my chest. She cockblocked me. Nevaeh didn’t seem to notice—or care. She turned to me with a bright smile, leaning up to press a kiss to my cheek. Her red lipstick left a faint mark on my skin, and I fought the urge to wipe it off.
“Hey, you. ” I said, forcing a grin.
My words were hollow, but she beamed at me like I’d gifted her the moon. She started talking about how much fun she had, but I wasn’t listening. My eyes wandered over her shoulder, scanning the crowd until they landed on two figures standing near the doorway. The one was unfamiliar, but I remembered the other. Hazel.
They weren’t the loudest or most attention-grabbing in the room, but they stood out anyway. Hazel looked uncomfortable, her gaze darting around the room like she was searching for an escape route. Her friend seemed amused. Her lips curved into a knowing smirk as she whispered something in Hazel’s ear. My grin widened as I called them over, needing someone to distract Nevaeh.
“Hey, book girl.”
Hazel’s eyes snapped to mine, widening in surprise, while her friend’s smirk deepened. They hesitated, exchanging a look before making their way over. Nevaeh stiffened beside me, her fingers tightening on my arm.
“How do you know each other?” Nevaeh asked, looking between Hazel and me.
My smirk deepened as I crossed my arms over my chest. I was going to have fun with this.
“Hazel and me? Oh, we go way back,” I said, my voice dripping with mock nostalgia. I paused for dramatic effect, glancing at Hazel before delivering the punchline. “She saw me naked.”
The reaction was instant and what I wished for. Nevaeh’s eyes widened, and Hazel’s jaw hit the floor. The color drained from her face, then returned in a deep, furious blush that crawled up her neck and cheeks.
“What?” Nevaeh’s voice was sharp, almost accusatory, as she whipped around to face Hazel. “When the hell did that happen?”
Hazel opened her mouth, floundering for words.
“It’s not what you think,” she said, raising her hands to ward off Nevaeh’s growing anger. “I went to your dorm room, and he was there.”
Her words tumbled out in a rush, and her mortification only deepened when I chuckled. Nevaeh crossed her arms, her brow furrowed.
“Why did you not tell me?”
“I forgot!” Hazel shot back, her voice raised in defense. “I didn’t know he’d be there. And besides,” she added, desperate to change the subject, “we bumped into each other outside the bookstore at the start of the semester. That’s the first time we met.”
I arched a brow, my amusement growing.
“First time? Sure. But I’d say walking in on me naked was far more memorable.”
“Shut up.” Hazel hissed, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel.
Nevaeh, meanwhile, seemed caught between disbelief and fury. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flicking back and forth between us like she was piecing together a puzzle she didn’t like.
“Yet this conversation never came up to me?” She demanded, her voice low and dangerous.
“It wasn’t a big deal!” Hazel insisted, her hands flailing. “I didn’t even see, you know,” she gestured, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes. “I turned around right away.”
I laughed at that, the sound warm and unbothered.
“Oh, come on, Hazel. You can admit it was a little funny.”
“It wasn’t.” Hazel snapped, but her blush deepened.
“Okay,” her friend interjected, stepping in like a referee before things could escalate further. “This is a lot to process. Maybe we all need a drink.”
I latched onto the suggestion with a grin, clapping my hands together.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about. What can I get you ladies?”
Before anyone could answer, I noticed Nevaeh’s gaze shift to Hazel, her expression cold and cutting. Her eyes narrowed, a silent warning that Hazel seemed to pick up on. Hazel’s own widened, her lips parting in alarm.
“Actually,” Hazel said, her voice high-pitched and nervous, “Maisie and I were just about to leave.”
I frowned, my grin fading as I turned to her.
“Leave? You just got here.”
Hazel coughed, her hand fluttering to her neck.
“I don’t feel well.”
What a shit liar. I tilted my head, studying her for a moment. Then my grin returned, slow and playful.
“Not feeling well? I’ve got the perfect cure for that.” I said.
“Campbell, that’s—”
But before Hazel could finish, I spun on my heel and strode toward the kitchen, my long strides making it clear I had no intention of letting her protest. The crowd parted for me, and my confident swagger drew more than a few glances as I disappeared into the other room.
I stood at the counter in the kitchen, pouring drinks with ease. The bass-heavy music from the living room pulsed through the walls, but the kitchen offered a brief reprieve from the chaos. I lined up the cup, glancing over my shoulder to see if Hazel and her friends were still where I left them. I smirked, shaking my head at Hazel’s obvious discomfort at the party. As I reached for the vodka, the click of heels on the linoleum floor caught my attention. I looked up to see a stunning blonde sauntering into the kitchen, her hips swaying with confidence. She wore a tight, red dress that hugged her curves, and her glossy hair cascaded over her shoulders like she’d stepped out of a magazine. She stopped in front of me, leaning forward on the counter. Her neckline dipped low as her lips curled into a knowing smile.
“Hey, Campbell.” She purred, her voice dripping with flirtation.
I raised a brow, not bothering to hide the quick glance I gave her cleavage. She positioned herself, and I wasn’t one to shy away from appreciating what was right in front of me.
“Hey.” I said, the corner of my mouth twitching upward.
I did not know what her name was, but I didn’t care.
“You look like you’re hard at work,” she teased, biting her bottom lip as she trailed her fingers along the edge of the counter. “I thought frat parties were for fun, not for bartending.”
I chuckled, pouring a splash of mixer into one cup.
“Someone’s got to make sure the drinks don’t run out,” I said, my tone light. “Besides, I’m great at multitasking.”
Her laugh was soft and sultry, and she leaned in closer, her perfume wafting toward me.
“You’re great at a lot of things, I bet.”
I tilted my head, my smirk widening.
“You’d be right.”
She bit her lip again, a calculated move, and her eyes sparkled with interest.
“Maybe I’ll get to find out for myself later.”
I let my gaze linger on her for a moment before winking.
“Maybe you will. I’d say it’s a guarantee.”
She laughed again, a sound just loud enough to drown out the distant noise of the party. Satisfied with the exchange, she straightened up, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she left the kitchen with a confident sway in her step. I shook my head, chuckling to myself as I grabbed the drinks. She’d been gorgeous, no doubt, but girls like her were easy to handle.
Making my way back to the group, I spotted Hazel where I’d left her, standing next to Nevaeh and Maisie. Hazel’s eyes darted around the room like she was mapping an escape route. Nevaeh, in contrast, looked as though she belonged here, chatting with Maisie while glancing toward me with an expectant look.
“Ladies,” I announced, holding out the cups. “Your drinks.”
I handed Nevaeh and Maisie theirs, who grinned and took it without hesitation. Then I held out one to Hazel.
“Here you go,” I said. “Guaranteed to cure whatever’s ailing you.”
Hazel eyed the cup like it was a venomous snake.
“I don’t drink.”
Nevaeh rolled her eyes.
“Oh, for fuck's sake, Hazel, stop being such a buzzkill. It’s one drink. You’ll survive.”
I opened my mouth to say she didn’t need to drink if she didn’t want to, but before I could, Hazel snatched the cup out of my hand. She hesitated for the briefest second, her fingers tightening around the rim, and then, to my utter surprise, she tipped it back and chugged the contents in one go. I blinked, stunned. The timid, reserved girl who had looked like she wanted to vanish moments ago was now draining the cup like a seasoned pro. When she finished, she lowered the cup with a grimace; her face scrunching up as the alcohol burned its way down her throat.
“Happy now?” she asked, glaring at Nevaeh.
Nevaeh smirked.
“Very.”
My lips curved into a slow, amused grin as I watched Hazel recover from her bold move.
“Guess I don’t need to convince you to loosen up after all.” I said, my tone teasing.
Hazel glared, and I couldn’t help but notice the fire in her eyes. She was full of surprises. And I loved surprises.
**
The room was alive with a chaotic buzz: music thumping, bodies moving, laughter echoing. I leaned against the edge of the Beer Pong table, holding court with a group of girls who were giggling at everything I said. I flashed my signature grin, letting my charm work magic, but my attention drifted.
Hazel stood a few feet away, uncomfortable as she scanned the crowd. She clutched her drink like it was a shield, her gaze darting anywhere but toward me. She looked so out of place, her awkwardness almost endearing. Meanwhile, Nevaeh stayed glued to my side, brushing my arm to keep my attention on her.
“Campbell,” Nevaeh cooed, leaning into me. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
She squeezed my arm before sauntering off, her hips swaying. I nodded, barely registering her words because it was my chance to get Hazel alone. I smirked, pushing off the table and taking a step closer. She shifted her weight from foot to foot.
“You’re not enjoying yourself, are you?” I asked, my voice low and teasing.
Hazel glanced at me, her expression cautious.
“Parties aren’t my thing.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” I said, tilting my head as my grin widened. “I mean, you’re here, aren’t you? That’s half the battle.” She gave me a tight smile, uninterested in bantering with me. But I wasn’t one to back off. “So,” I said, leaning a little closer, “did you come just to babysit Nevaeh, or were you hoping to have a little fun yourself?”
Hazel’s eyes narrowed, her discomfort hardening into something sharper.
“What are you trying to say?”
I chuckled, unbothered by her tone.
“Nothing. You’re the one that said parties aren’t your thing.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could tell she was seconds away from snapping. It only made me grin wider. Something was thrilling about pushing her buttons, watching the fire light up behind her otherwise shy demeanor.
“Look,” she said, her voice tight with irritation, “I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I’m not the type to get involved with someone my friend is interested in.”
I raised a brow, her words rolling over me without dimming my confidence.
“What are you talking about?”
Hazel’s glare sharpened.
“You’re leading her on, and I want no part of it.”
I chuckled, amused by her determination to put me in my place.
“Relax, Hazel. I’m just talking to you.”
“Like you were talking to the blonde in the kitchen?”
I smirked, folding my arms across my chest.
“Were you jealous?”
She scoffed and reached over to grab her bag, swinging it over her shoulder.
“I don’t play games. Stop leading my friend on.”
I watched as she turned on her heel and stormed off. The crowd seemed to part for her as she marched away, her frustration clear in every stiff movement. I just stood there, watching her retreat with a bemused expression. Most girls melted under my attention, but not Hazel. No, she was different—stubborn, uninterested in my charm. And that? That only made me want her more. Game on.