“Jenna was with Jamie at the Kappa party last Friday night.”

“Really? Isn’t he dating…”

The first one nodded, her excitement was barely contained. “Tiffany Chatsworth. Sucks to be her, huh? He’s the biggest manwhore on the team.”

“Bad for her. Good for us.”

The two shared a knowing grin. Then the first one leaned closer, “I heard they’re having a party next Friday. I’m going to try to talk to Jamie after class; maybe we can get an invite.”

“We need an invite? We can’t just go?”

She rolled her eyes, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “It’s at Jesse Hunt’s house; you have to have an invite to even know where it is. No one knows where it is unless you’re in their circle. I heard his daddy bought him a new mansion.”

The friend groaned, giggling at the same time. “Jesse Hunt. Oh my gawd! Is he going to be there?”

The other one shrugged. “Don’t know. I heard he’s anti-social. You have better chances trying for Cord.”

“Why Cord? Jesse Hunt is way hotter.”

The first one blinded her with a smile. “Because I’m going for Jamie. And trust me, Jesse Hunt is out of our league.”

“What about Tiffany?”

“Who cares.” She shook her head, a look of disgust flashing over her. “She’s a bitch. She needs to be taken down a notch.”

Then the third friend leaned over. “Would you two shut up?! They can hear you.”

“Sorry,” one whispered.

“Sorry,” the other hissed, but both still giggled.

I wanted to groan. Cord was in my class. Nothing against Cord, but I hadn’t told him about my hope to be anonymous. It hadn’t mattered over the last two days. Jesse hadn’t texted or called. I hadn’t cared. For real. After he left, my head had swollen with questions and doubts. I hadn’t gone to him with the intention of starting our relationship up again, whatever relationship that was. And I didn’t know if I wanted a real relationship, if he did. I had no idea. Jesse wasn’t the committed type. It was why I had stopped our arrangement in the first place, but then he was in my dorm room. He hadn’t ignored my calls on purpose and there was no big secret about his phone call to Ethan that night.

All control fled when he was close, but he hadn’t been close since. Reason flooded back in.

I could not do a relationship. No way.

I was barely able to stand saying hello to Beth the past couple days. Kara had been sickeningly sweet when she saw me in the bathroom. She wanted to know if I had hung out with Beth and Hannah, but my mouth had been full of toothpaste. I used that to my advantage and shrugged, unable to talk. She’d been nice and waited until I spit it out, and then rinsed my mouth. I hadn’t been so nice. I gave her a polite smile and walked out of the bathroom.

I didn’t need anyone knowing my business.

Hurt flared in her eyes, but that didn’t stop me from snubbing her. She was better off. That’s what I told myself and the next time I saw her, she didn’t try again.

An unnamed emotion burned low in my gut, but we were both better off. She hadn’t asked how I knew Cord and I hoped she would let that go as well. No one needed to know any of that information. And certainly not these three girls who sat in front of me.

I tried to crouch farther down in my seat, but to no avail, I could see Cord and a taller guy who looked like he could’ve been a poster boy for any Ivy League school follow behind him. He was tall and built with wavy blonde locks, dark eyes, and a smirk plastered over his thick jaw. He knew they were the center of attention and he loved it.

They approached the back of the classroom. The girls in front of me bristled from excitement. Their eyes were glued to them as they trekked all the way to the back, where I was.

The first girl drew in her breath. The second one nudged her friend.

They were openly staring now. In slow motion, I watched as their heads followed the guys and they turned facing behind them now.

Oh gawd.

I closed my eyes. My gut fell to the floor and I looked up. Cord was grinning down at me, three empty seats between us. His friend seemed annoyed, shifting on his feet behind him.

“Little Connors.” A big smirk came over Cord’s face.

I was reminded of an exchange he had with Marissa once. The same cockiness had been with him as he told her to get lost. I bristled with irritation now. No way was he going to treat me with the same, even though he had been nice to me on Sunday.

I scowled at my bag. “The seat’s taken.”

His smirk deepened and he gestured to the two empty seats next to it. “These too?”

“Yep.”

“Alex, come on.”

“I have friends coming.”

“We’re the last ones in and there’s no other seats.” He flashed me two dimples now. “Sorry, Little Connors, you’re shit out of luck. We’re sitting here.”

“Come on, man.” His friend was growing restless. “Let’s sit already. Since when do we have to chat about it?” He shot me a dark look. “Who’s the chick? Never mind. Sit down, Cord.”

The decision was made.

Cord’s bag landed on the seat with mine and he took the closest seat. Our bags were between us, but he leaned over and asked in a quiet voice, “Why you got a stick up your ass? I thought after Sunday night, you’d be happy to see us.”

I glared at him.

His friend snickered. “That’s what I thought.”

Cord ignored him and asked me, “You embarrassed to be seen with me, Little Connors?”

“Stop calling me that,” I hissed. I was fully aware of the attention we were receiving. All three girls were salivating as they eavesdropped over our conversation. Not that they needed to strain to hear. Cord wasn’t quieting his voice. “And stop insinuating we slept together.”

“Hmmm.” Cord’s dimples appeared again. Oh yes, he was enjoying himself.

“I mean it. It’s like we don’t know each other, okay?” I wanted to smack my forehead. I had just made it worse. Judging by the smug looks, the girls were certain we had done the deed. The one who wanted Cord was eyeing me now, measuring me up and down.

I glared at her. “Eyes up front.”

Her mouth gasped open, but she turned quickly in her seat. The third friend’s shoulders were shaking in silent laughter.