Home > Corrupt My Mind (North Haven University #1)(2)

Corrupt My Mind (North Haven University #1)(2)
Author: Kelsey Clayton

“Yeah. She enrolled at NHU,” Gage tells me. “Easton didn't tell you?”

I shake my head. “I guess it hasn't come up. I've been busy lately.”

Thoughts of what he's going to be like with his little sister on campus flood my mind. To say he's protective of her would be an understatement. She may only be a year or so younger than us, but to him, she's the baby. In middle school, he found out some kid called her ugly and made her upset. Easton tied him to the flagpole in his underwear with a sign that said, “I disrespect girls.” It earned him a five-day suspension, but it definitely scared anyone else away from messing with her.

We all make our way inside, and Tess leads us through to one of the VIP tables. “Asher's sorry he couldn't make it, but he wanted us to have fun tonight, so it's on him.”

It's a little shocking, but then again, if I was a professional football player, spending a few grand on a club night probably wouldn't make me bat an eyelash either. Delaney shrugs like it's totally normal, and Knox grabs an already-poured shot off the table.

“To one unforgettable night.”

We all grab a shot glass and toast to that before pouring the liquor down our throats. It burns the whole way but in the best way. There's nothing better than memorable nights with friends. Especially when your friends are as kick-ass as mine.

 

 

I'M DRINKING A BEER and talking to Knox when Easton finally shows up. He looks like he spent longer than necessary on his appearance, which I'm guessing is for Tessa's sake, but to each their own. If he wants to pine after someone as unavailable as she is, I can't stop him.

“Took you long enough,” I tease.

He rolls his eyes. “Sorry. I forgot how long it takes chicks to get ready.”

“Oh, like you were much better,” a voice chastises him.

I'm mid-sip when Amelia steps out from behind him. Her long, blonde hair flows down and across her shoulders, contrasting against the black dress she's wearing. It rests on her skin but still accentuates her whole body. What the hell happened to the little brace-face I remember? She's nowhere to be found in the gorgeous girl standing in front of me.

In one idiotically embarrassing move, I inhale quickly with a mouth full of beer. I guess it's better than spitting it all over her, but they all watch as I break into a coughing fit. My fist pounds against my chest in an effort to catch my breath.

“Uh, you good?” Easton asks.

I nod. “Wrong pipe.”

My voice croaks out as I get a handle on myself. Before I can say anything else, Tessa pushes herself between me and Knox.

“Can I just say how much I've missed you?”

Amelia lights up at the sight of Tess. “Oh my God, hey!”

They hug, and while I never knew they ever met, it shouldn't surprise me. Tess and Easton liked to act as if they were just fooling around, but I also know she went to his house for just about every holiday. I assume that's where she met Amelia.

Easton watches Tessa with a love-struck look on his face that makes even Knox sigh. As much as they made a pretty good couple, she moved on. That's just something he needs to accept. Still, he all but melts as she hugs him hello before focusing back on his sister.

“Come on. Let's go dance.”

The second they're gone, I narrow my eyes on Easton. He pulls his gaze away from his ex and over at me, then crumbles under my stare.

“What?”

I shake my head. “I thought you were over her.”

His shoulders sag. “You don't just get over a girl like Tessa Callahan, Z, no matter how much time has passed.”

Knox pats him on the back. “You're setting yourself up for another heartbreak again, dude.”

He looks over at where Tessa is dancing with his sister, sporting the biggest smile on her face, and groans. “I need a fucking beer.”

 

 

LATER THAT NIGHT, I'M leaning up against the rail, staring out at the dance floor. More specifically, at one girl—Amelia. I can't believe that's the same girl who used to beg us to play Barbies with her. Easton's overly smart, geeky little sister. But fuck, it's like she traded her braces and high-waisted jeans in for an hourglass body and a smile that could flip any fucker’s life upside down, mine included.

“Don't even go there, man.” Knox appears out of nowhere. “Easton would fucking kill you.”

I should have known he'd be able to read me like an open book. He knew the second I saw her, but he's right, and there's no point in lying about it.

“I'm not,” I answer honestly.

It may suck, but it's the truth. As drop dead gorgeous as she is, I can't and won't make a move. She's pure white silk—soft, untainted perfection—and I'm solely made up of black tar. I'd only ruin her.

 

 

Carrying a box up two flights of stairs? No big deal. Carrying three? That becomes a problem. I manage to make it to my new dorm room and fumble with the door. I must have put a little more weight against it than I thought because the second it opens, myself and all three boxes come crashing down. The girl on the other side jumps out of the way just in time.

“Sorry,” I apologize sheepishly.

She chuckles. “Why didn't you just make more than one trip?”

It's only been a few seconds, and already I want the ground to swallow me whole. “Because that would make sense.”

I get up and dust myself off before facing my new roommate. She's pretty, with emerald eyes and dark blonde hair tied into a high ponytail. She looks familiar, but I can't seem to put my finger on where I might have seen her. For the sake of not looking like an idiot, I shake myself out of it and put out my hand.

“I'm Amelia, and a total klutz, if you haven't already noticed.”

She smiles and shakes my hand. “Kennedy, and lucky for you, I happen to like clumsy people. They're...entertaining.”

I look down at the mess of my things on the floor. If nothing’s broken, I'll be amazed.

“I can see why,” I grumble. “Sorry for almost taking you out.”

She shrugs. “I have quick reflexes.”

Kennedy helps me pick up my things, and I place them on the bed before glancing around the room. It's a decent size, with two beds, two dressers, and two desks. Thankfully, dorms are nothing new to me, having spent the last four years at boarding school. It was pretty much the same as it is here, just with more rules.

Being as she got here first, Kennedy has already chosen the side further from the window, but that's fine. I happen to like it when the sun wakes me up in the morning. It's a lot more peaceful than an alarm clock blaring in my ear.

The space is cute, and I can't wait to decorate it with all my stuff. However, right now, I'm starving. Easton was supposed to take me to breakfast this morning and then help me move all my stuff in since classes start tomorrow, but something came up. Thus, leaving me to carry three boxes upstairs by myself.

“I know I just got here, but would you want to go get something to eat?”

Her grin widens. “Absolutely. I'm famished.”

She links her arm in mine and pulls me out the door, shutting it behind us.

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