Teresa #3
“Yes. Omega as in the frat,” I confirmed with a little too much attitude for someone who needed a favor. “What did you think it was, one of those why-choose werewolf romances you hide under your bed?” I added because at the end, I was just me. This was how I was.
“They’re not hidden. I just don’t have shelf space,” she explained. My lips tugged upward.
“So?”
“So, what?” Sadie asked.
“What do you think?” My heart was pounding. Okay, so part of me, a big part of me, wanted to hang out with Jeremy.
“Why-choose werewolf romances are seriously underrated,” she answered like a smartass, and if I weren’t so nervous about heading to this thing on my own, I would have felt seriously proud I was rubbing off on her.
“Sadie,” I pouted. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m serious. Let’s go to the Omega party.”
“Tere, a party? A frat party? Tonight?”
“Please?” I pleaded.
“Why?”
“Why, what?” I avoided answering. What could I even say? Because a frat guy baseball player caught me using your keys to get into the room where the midterms are and caught me red-handed trying to cheat?
“Now who’s being obtuse?” she asked, not letting the subject drop.
“Don’t use big words. I’m just a dumb jock,” I complained. “Please go with me tonight.”
“Tere,” Sadie groaned, “can’t we go to the next Omega party?”
“We both know if I agree, you will literally keep putting it off. Plus, I need to make an appearance at this one. Please!”
“Why don’t you ask Kim?”
“Because Kim has a research paper due. She’s stuck at the library this whole weekend. And I know you. If you have anything due within the next thirty-six hours, you more than likely have already finished and turned it in," I shared.
“Please!” I wasn’t above begging. “I will do anything.”
“Anything?” Sadie asked.
“Your laundry!” I offered.
“I just did it this morning.” I groaned.
“Umm, I’ll do the grocery run!”
“Tere—“
“And unload it and be on bathroom duty until the end of the month.”
“Why do you wanna go to this party that badly?” she asked.
“Sadie—“
“Just tell me, and you won’t have to do any of the things you just offered.”
“Porque eres tan chismosa?” I asked, and the sound of Sadie’s sweet giggle made my shoulders relax a little.
“I’m not a gossip. Gossip would mean I’d tell someone what you’re about to tell me, and you know I won’t do that.” It was true. Sadie was the best friend and best roommate a girl could ever ask for.
“Fine,” I sighed with resignation. “Okay, but no judgment?” I asked, because how was I going to tell her a boy wanted me at a party or else… or else what? Would Jeremy really expose me like that?
“Pinky promise,” Sadie swore.
“I kinda have a little bit of a crush.” The words tumbled past my lips so fast, it took me a moment to process what I’d just confessed. Shit. Is that really it? Do I have a crush on a baseball player?
“You do?” The shock in her voice was crystal clear. “And he’s an Omega?” she clarified. I grunted with a non-comital sound because he was all those things and, well… I liked him. I actually liked Jeremy Fletcher!
“Teresa,” Sadie pushed, using my full name instead of her nickname so I would take her seriously.
“Fine, yes. Sorta. I think. Look, I’m not positive.” I tripped over my own words and then for some reason kept sharing. “He plays baseball,” I said as it was an explanation. She knew I didn’t like dating athletes.
“A baseball player, huh? Fine,” Sadie sighed, and I blinked.
“What?” I clipped. I had been positive she would turn me down, and then I’d use that as my excuse not to go to a party I kinda sorta wanted to go to! She actually said yes?
“I’ll go with you.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. I just probably won’t drink.” A drink would help get my jumbled emotion and heart in order.
“You mind if I do? I need a drink,” I mumbled under my breath on accident.
“You do? Why?” Again, Sadie knew me too well. Playing soccer, I hardly ever had a drink.
“Oh, umm, long week.”
“I understand that. Wanna go hiking tomorrow? Helps get a new perspective,” she offered.
“Hiking at four in the morning?”
“Five.” She laughed as I walked into her room and straight to her closet.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I think I’m going to drink tonight,” I said because a drink would help.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to need the liquid courage,” I said, almost to herself.
“To talk to him?” she asked, making me wince. I’d said that out loud! I made a non-committal grunt sound.
“What should I wear?” Sadie asked, and I relaxed a little.
“I got you,” I reassured her.
“Okay, then I’ll see you in a couple minutes. You want anything from the dining hall?” Sadie was too sweet for her own good.
“No, I’m good, but thanks.”
“You sure? If you’re going to drink, maybe you should eat a little something?” she suggested.
“You’re right. Maybe a bagel? I’ll send you money.”
“Don’t worry about it. You can do my hair, and we can call it even.”
“Sounds good.” I moved to the bathroom to plug in the curling iron and straightener.
I was going to this party. I was going to see my sorta blackmailing bully, and damn it, I had a feeling I was going to like it.
A lot.