Chapter 3 #2
What on earth could Tristan’s proposition be? My stomach is churching over the uncertainty of our meeting tonight. It has to be related to the game somehow. He has some kind of a plan, probably related to the reason he nominated me in the first place.
Oh God, what if he’s planning to embarrass me tonight in front of all his frat brothers? No, he wouldn’t show his hand that soon. He wants me to stay in the game. He could embarrass me in front of his frat brothers any day of the week.
Should I tell Serena my fears about Tristan? About my entire history with him and Harper? She seems cool, but she is more from Tristan’s world than mine. She’s hot, athletic, a member of the Greek scene. I’ve learned what it means to confide in people like that.
It’s dangerous.
I turn to her, ready to tell her a lie, when her guileless smile freezes my tongue. When did I become so judgmental? Did losing Harper to the popular crowd really make me this cynical? When did I become such a whiney cliche?
I take a deep breath. “To be honest, he mocked me the whole time. He actually nominated me for the game as a prank.”
Her eyes grow huge. “Why would he do that?”
I shrug. “I’ve known him for a long time. Since high school. He gets off on embarrassing me. This isn’t… He’s played pranks on me before.”
She nods slowly, her expression softening. The fact that she’s not asking for more information endears her to me even more. She seems genuinely curious about my life.
“Tristan is known for being that way,” she says, and there’s an edge to her voice that tells me she’s experienced Tristan’s cruelty before. “It makes sense he was like that in high school too. Mean people never change.”
I nod slowly, debating on if I should bring up Harper. She mentioned something about Harper earlier, giving me the impression that she knows her fairly well.
What would I say? That Harper didn’t used to be mean? It wouldn’t do any good. Harper’s changed.
“I used to date his best friend, Nick,” Serena says.
My stomach plummets. Harper’s younger brother. Not that long ago, he felt like my younger brother too.
I guess it makes sense that he’s now buddies with Tristan. Harper would like that. She loves keeping all the people close to her in a tight-knit group. She encouraged me to get to know Tristan because of that.
That ended quickly though.
Serena looks down at her half-eaten taco. “Nick is Harper’s younger brother, and he’s in Tristan’s frat. He’s a really sweet guy.”
My face heats. I ought to say something, but fuck… It’s so hard to talk about what these people used to mean to me. “Why did you break up?” I ask instead.
She huffs, shaking her head. “I never got a straight answer from him. He said he had family stuff going on and couldn’t concentrate on being in a relationship, but I can guess what was really going on…
” Her dark eyes meet mine. “Harper and Tristan told him to do it. They shit-talked me enough that he finally started to believe them.”
“That makes sense,” I say in a small voice. It makes perfect sense.
Tristan must have done the same thing to me. He talked enough shit about me to Harper that she eventually believed him.
She smiles sadly. “I can forgive Harper. She’s insanely protective of Nick, but Tristan…” She shakes her head. “He never liked me. And I think he used his influence over Nick to kick me out of their friend group.”
“God, he’s a dick. Why would anyone listen to him? Why is anyone friends with him for that matter?”
Serena laughs, a sound as melodic as an acoustic guitar. No wonder she was chosen for the game. Even her laugh is beautiful. “Because he’s a hot guy.”
I snort. “That’s all he’s got. People are so damn boring to be swayed that much by a pretty face.”
“It’s about what he can do for them. Or they’re afraid of going against him. He has social status, you know?”
I shake my head. “It’s like we’re living in Regency England, and Tristan has ten thousand a year.”
Serena grins, baring all her teeth. “I think my Jane-dar is telling me I’m hanging out with another fangirl.”
“Are you a Jane Austen fan too?” I nearly shout.
“Girl, I watch the 2005 Pride and Prejudice on loop when I do homework. It’s my comfort movie. And I read the book once a year, at least.”
“Oh my God, me too! I’ve been obsessed with that book since I was twelve and barely understood any of the language.”
She smiles radiantly. “I knew you were my type of girl. I just sensed it when we were waiting in line. I hope…” She shakes her head. “Never mind.”
“What?” I ask.
She’s quiet for a moment as she stares at the large redwood tree that towers above us. “I want you to win the competition.”
“Why?”
She shrugs. “To beat Tristan at his own game. If he really nominated you just to embarrass you, I’d love it if you could embarrass him back. Make him fall for you right before you reject him.”
A chill skitters over my skin. Did she read my mind?
“I don’t know how I could possibly do that,” I say, too embarrassed to tell her that is my plan.
Though I suppose she’ll see it if she watches the YouTube video of my date with Tristan. Fuck, I can’t believe I actually talked about my seduction plan while being filmed.
Her gaze meets mine. “Let me help you.”
I swallow. “What could you possibly do?”
“I know Tristan. I learned a lot about him when I was dating Nick. I know how he works.”
“And how is that?”
“He wants what he can’t have. I think that’s part of the reason he pushed Nick to break up with me. As soon as Nick had a girlfriend, Tristan wanted his best friend all to himself again.”
My nose wrinkles. “Why is he such a petty loser?”
Serena bursts into laughter. “He’s spoiled, that’s why. He’s gorgeous, athletic, and comes from a wealthy family. The whole world is an appetizer tray to Tristan Wolfe.”
My stomach churns at the thought. How can I seduce Tristan when he can get anyone he wants?
“Don’t let it scare you,” Serena says, as if reading my mind. “He’s still a predictable fuckboy. If he feels like you don’t want him, he’ll go crazy. That’s all you need to do, Amy. The rest will work out itself.”
I smirk, tugging at a strand of my hair. The purple is now an orangey lavender at my frayed ends. Damn, I’m a mess. “You don’t think I need a makeover?”
She snorts. “You know you’re very pretty, even if Tristan seems to prefer…”
“Tall and skinny and gorgeous. Like you.”
She waves a hand. “He’s never going to pick me. Not when Nick and I used to date. The whole bros before hoes thing. Trust me. When this is over, he’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand.”
Heat unfurls through my insides, warming me everywhere. I shouldn’t be turned on by the idea of Tristan wanting me, but I can’t help it.
Is this just thirst for revenge, or is it something deeper? I hope I’m not succumbing to Tristan’s charms when I’m fully aware of how cruel he is.
I can’t let him have the upper hand. Whatever he’s going to propose tonight, I’ll make sure I’m ready.