“He got a touchdown just for you.”
My thoughts come to a screeching halt. “After hearing what I said, he probably hates me.”
“Then you better make it right, because you have to tutor him. A straight up apology is best, Ella. You know that.”
“I do.”
“Okay.” She lets my hand go. “Now we need to find something hot for you to wear. You need to show off your great tits.”
I glance down at my overalls and T-shirt, not fashionable by any means, but I don’t care, at least they cover my…great tits. “If I’m only going there to apologize, why do I need something hot to wear?” I eye my friend. “Peyton…” I begin. “Oh hell no. If this is about hooking me up with Landon.”
“This has nothing to do with Landon.”
I snort. Honestly, I’d trust a lion luring a gazelle in for a playdate before I’d believe that.
“Look, all I’m saying is it’s your fourth year here. Do you want to go out into the big bad world with your cherry still intact?”
“My cherry—”
“All I’m saying is maybe it’s time you got rid of your pesky virginity, and—”
I eye her. “Pesky? That’s what we’re calling it?”
She pulls out a dress and holds it up to me. “Sex is so much fun, girlfriend. You are missing out big time, and when you get out into the real world, wouldn’t you rather have some experience behind you…” She winks and adds, “Or on top of you. It won’t just be footballers at the party. Lots of guys will be there.”
Oh, but there is only one guy I’m interested in giving my pesky virginity to, and Peyton must know it, which is why she’s pushing so hard.
Wait, what!
Okay, there must have been too much testosterone on the field today. I’m not thinking with clarity here. I’m not interested in giving anyone my virginity. I don’t think.
“This won’t do.” Peyton tosses the dress onto my bed, and hauls me across the hall to her room. I stand there as she roots through her closet, tossing clothes everywhere, until her room is a mess. She’s seriously on a mission, because she’s the tidy one in this duo. “Got it.” She comes out breathless, like she’d just run a damn marathon. “This one will look amazing on you. It’s tight on me now, and you’re smaller, so it’s yours if you want it.”
She frowns and I know she’s bummed that she’s put on weight. “You know you’re gorgeous, right? All the guys are crazy about you.”
“Not all of them,” she mumbles, and before I can ask she says, “This is about you, not me.”
Sensing she doesn’t want to talk about her bit of weight gain, I take the fabric into my hand. “It is pretty.” At least she didn’t come out with something that showed off my cooch-cooch, as Peyton calls it.
“Put it on.”
I unbuckle my overalls and let them fall to the floor. Unceremoniously, I kick them off. “One of these days, I’m going to have to teach you how to remove your clothes seductively. That drop and kick move isn’t going to cut it.”
“It’s not a performance.”
“Not right now, but someday it will be.” She’s so serious it makes me laugh.
“Ivy is the actress, not me.” I pull on the dress and her eyes light.
“I knew it. Look at those tits.”
I turn to the mirror and adjust the wrap dress over my breasts, covering them up just a bit more. I have to admit, I normally don’t gravitate toward tight dresses that show off my curves—I’m venturing into Ivy’s department here—but I kind of like it.
“Do you think I look too much like my sister?”
“You look like you, Ella. Beautiful, sexy and tonight, tongues are going to hang.”
A strange little thrill goes through me. I’m not one for attention, and have never needed validation from the opposite sex, yet I can’t help but wonder what Landon will do when he sees me in this. I turn around, and look at my ass. I give a little twerk to shake my booty and Peyton claps her hands.
“Sexy Ella is in the house. Although I must say, on the field today, Landon liked what he saw.”
Another stupid thrill goes through me. “Do you think?” I ask quickly, too quickly, judging by the smirk on Peyton’s face.
“He invited you tonight, didn’t he?”
I crinkle my nose. “Do you think he lost a bet or something?”
She laughs. “Hell no, girlfriend. You just don’t see what the rest of the world sees.” She stands behind me and takes my hair into her hands as we both look into the mirror. “How about a little blonde highlights right here in the front, to frame your face? I have a kit.” She brushes a few strands over my shoulders.
“Then I’ll really look like Ivy.”
“No, you’ll look like you. I love your brown hair, but this will really brighten your face.”
I shrug. “I dunno.”
“Trust me?” Our eyes meet in the mirror.
“There isn’t anyone in the world I trust more.”
“Good, then get out of this dress and into something old so we can dye your hair.”
I change quickly and she drags me to the bathroom, and less than an hour later, I have blonde highlights framing my face. I grin at myself in the mirror as Peyton finishes blow drying my curls.
“So, what do you think?” she asks.
I turn my head left then right, let my hair bounce over my shoulders. “I actually like it,” I tell her, but from the big smile on my face, she can already tell.
Squealing with excitement, she sets the blow dryer down and turns me to face her. She runs the strands of my hair through her fingers. “This blonde really makes your blue eyes pop. Landon isn’t going to know what to do with you.”
“Peyton,” I scold. “None of this is for Landon.”
She blinks dark lashes over not-so-innocent eyes. “I only mean he was the one who invited you and you’re just so damn gorgeous, Ella. You’re the only one who doesn’t realize it.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the compliment, but the thing is, I don’t want a guy to like me because I look a certain way. I want them to like me for who I am.” I put my hand on my chest. “In here, you know. If they want this...” I pause and circle my finger around my face. “They can get with Ivy.”
“I know, and that guy you’re talking about will come along, trust me. Until then, let’s just go have some fun.”
A little bubble of excitement wells up in my stomach as I give myself one last glance in the mirror. Honestly, I can’t believe in the three years I’ve been on campus I’ve yet to go to a frat party. We dress in our party outfits, and Peyton groans when I slide into my flats, but I don’t care. Comfort is a big deal for me.
“I’ll let that go,” she grumbles and slides her arm into mine. We head outside and the night air is warm, and humid, which will likely make a mess of my new hair. Since Landon’s house is just a few blocks away, we walk over. Peyton has a car, but no sense in bringing it, especially if she’s drinking. I could always drive. I plan to stay sober, as I have apologies to make. As we approach the house, music blares from the open windows. It’s a good thing most of the houses in the area are rented by college students. No family would put up with the football team’s antics. Cars are parked all over the place, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the cops get called. Then again, the police give a lot of leeway to the players, as long as no one is underage or drinking and driving.