King of Campus (8 page)

In case you haven’t realized it- I don’t care for Finn McKenzie.  The guy is a total tool.  He’s a lacrosse player and thinks he’s a big shit around here.  Clearly it chafes his ass that I’m the bigger shit.  The dude thinks everything between us is a pissing match.  And normally, I’m more than happy to oblige and give him a run for his money…

But that’s not going to happen with Ivy.  Until I get my head wrapped around her, she’s mine.  I’m calling dibs.

The music is loud and people are laughing, talking, and shouting all around us.  I slide in besides Ivy before snaking an arm around her.  Finn blinks in surprise at my sudden arrival on the scene.  I can’t help but smirk in return.

Sure, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to see Ivy get messed up with Finn and then there’s another part that merely enjoys fucking with him.  Sometimes it really is the simple pleasures in life you have to take the time to enjoy.

Finn’s eyes narrow at me before sliding angrily back to Ivy.  “Do you know this guy?”

I almost grin but don’t, because even though I just rode to the party with this girl and had my arm wrapped around her, she’s blinking her eyes at me as if she doesn’t know who the hell I am.  Which would really make me look like some dipshit loser in front of Finn.

And that is just not a risk I’m willing to take.

So I pull her a little tighter against me before quickly cutting in, “Ivy and I have a class together.” Then I add a slow sly smile meant to get under his skin.  “And we also happen to be neighbors.”

If it’s possible, his eyes narrow even further until they’re practically slits.  If the sudden tick in his jaw is any indication, then, yeah, I’m totally getting to him.

“Well, that’s great but we’re having a
private
conversation over here.  So, why don’t you take off, King.  I’m sure there are a dozen groupie skanks waiting in line to get laid by the King of Campus.”

Ivy flinches at his ugly words.

My eyes drill into Finn’s as I ask Ivy in a tightly strung voice, “Is this guy bothering you, sweetheart?”

The endearment has Finn’s entire face turning an ugly mottled shade of red like he’s on the verge of blowing a gasket.  I can’t say his reaction doesn’t please me.

He nods his head towards the door.  “Let’s get out of here, Ivy, so we can talk without all this noise.”

Over my dead body that’s happening.  Unconsciously my hold on her tightens.

For the first time since I’ve slid my arm around Ivy, she finally speaks up.  “Now’s not really a good time, Finn.”

Looking frustrated by her answer and probably by the fact I’m here with my arm around her, Finn grits out, “But you won’t return any of my calls or text messages.  How can we talk when you keep ignoring me?”

Hmm.  That sounds suspiciously like they know each other.  And since Ivy just returned from a trip abroad that had her out of the country for more than a year, I’m guessing they must have had some kind of relationship prior to her leaving.

Looking uncomfortable, she shifts from one foot to the other before finally saying, “We’ll sit down and talk this week, okay?  I don’t really want to get into it right now.”

“Why not?”  His eyes darken as he continues staring at her.  “You suddenly part of King’s pussy posse?”

Gasping, her eyes flare wide right before narrowing.  I would have thought her voice would be cutting and angry, like it was when she dealt with me today.  But it’s not.  She actually sounds hurt.

“Is that really what you think of me, Finn?”  She waits just a beat before adding with a little more heat, “Because if you do, then I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to get back together with me.”

He has the good grace to flush before shaking his head.  Which is kind of hilarious, because Finn McKenzie is a big dude who tops out around six foot two and has broad shoulders.  Although I’m about six three and have broader shoulders.

I’m just saying…

Unfortunately what I’ve gleaned from this conversation has pretty much confirmed my suspicions about them having a prior involvement.  Hmmm.  I have to admit I’m curious about what happened between them for Ivy not to return his calls or text messages.

I’m just about to run my hand over Ivy’s back when she quickly ducks out of my arms before stalking off without so much as a single word to either one of us.  She totally leaves us standing there with our dicks in our hands like a couple of douche bags.

But that certainly doesn’t mean we aren’t going to take a few parting shots at each other.  Old habits die hard.

Finn steps into my space, his eyes hardening.  “Stay the fuck away from her, King.”

Feeling amused, I merely raise a brow at the tone he’s using.  Is this guy serious?  Does he really think he can scare me off like I’m some damn freshman pussy who’s intimidated by the likes of him?

Fat fucking chance of that happening.

I’m not worried about getting into a fight with freaking McKenzie.  I’ve got a good thirty pounds of muscle on him.  And in case you’re wondering, Finn’s no slouch in the muscle department either.  I just so happen to have more.  But neither one of us are afraid to throw a punch which means this could explode into one hell of an ugly brawl in the blink of an eye.

“And if I don’t?”  My words are quietly spoken but he hears them well enough over all the noise pressing in on us.

“I’ll fucking come after you so hard, you’ll have to skip the draft this year.”

Fists tightening at my sides, my eyes narrow as heat and rage leap into them.  God, I would love to kick this guy’s ass.  I think it would be quite cathartic.  “You threatening me, McKenzie?”

He takes a step away from me, an unexpected smile gracing his lips.  “Nope.  Just telling you to back off.  Ivy’s not one of the trashy groupie sluts you’re constantly dipping your dick in.  She’s way too good for someone like you.”

With that he leaves me standing there… with my dick in hand.

As I watch him go, I suddenly wonder what the hell I’m doing.  I don’t know this Ivy chick at all.  Hell, I’ve only just met the girl today.  Why does she have me wound so tightly around the axel?  Shaking my head, I turn back around only to find Dylan watching me.

Yep.  He definitely looks pissed off.

Fuck.

Maybe I do need to get laid after all.  Maybe that’ll be enough to wipe this girl from my thoughts.  As the crowd parts for me, three girls I know from around campus cling to my arms.

Yeah.

I think this is
exactly
what I need.

Ivy who?

That’s right…

That’s
exactly
right.

Chapter Seven

Were you one of the lucky ladies Roan was with Monday night?  If so, be a doll and give us all the down and dirty details so we can live vicariously through you.  Come on now, you know you’re dying to share them…  KingOfCampus.com

I’m sorry.  Forgive me?

Biting my lip, I stare at the newest text from Finn.  He’s been blowing up my phone for days now.  I know he wants to get together and talk.  Which probably means he wants to work things out.  The problem is that he really hurt me and I don’t know if I can just let that go.  Rather stupidly I’d thought we had something special and within a week or so of me leaving for Paris, he was already hooking up with other girls.

Because Lexie had never really cared for Finn to begin with, she’d been more than happy to send me a photo every single time she saw him out with another girl.  Needless to say, I have about forty pictures.

So I’m not really sure what to do about the whole Finn situation. Deciding to ignore the text, I shove the phone back into my bag.  It’s Saturday morning and I’ve just taught three tap and ballet classes back to back.  I should be tired.  Teaching fifty-five minute long classes to four and five year olds is completely exhausting.  I’d forgotten just how short their little attention spans could be.  But they’re so dang adorable and full of life that their energy is all but infectious.

I throw a light pink, off-the-shoulder t-shirt over my leotard before pulling on black leggings and a pair of leopard print ballet flats.  Grabbing my bag, I wave goodbye to Donna, the owner of the studio, before pushing my way through the door out into the brightly shining sun which instantly strokes my skin with warmth.

I’m not more than two steps from the studio when I spot Finn leaning against the wall of the building with his hands shoved deeply into the pockets of his cargo shorts.  He straightens to his full height as soon as our eyes connect.  Surprised to see him here, my feet grind to a halt.

“Hi, Ivy.”

A tentative smile slides its way across his face as if he’s unsure of what my reaction will be.  It makes him look boyishly sweet and hesitant.  His normally overconfident, cocksure self is notably absent.  Which is probably for the best.  The look tugs at something deep inside, reminding me just how good looking Finn is and how easy it was falling for him freshman year.  It’s that side of him that drew me in.

“I was hoping we could maybe grab a coffee,” he clears his throat, “that is if you’re not too busy.”

Lexie and I are planning on going a little apartment shopping after lunch which means that- yes, I do have time to grab coffee but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m ready to sit down with Finn and hash out our past.

When I remain silent, his look turns pleading making him look downright adorable.  Like a cuddly puppy dog I just want to wrap my arms around and squeeze tight.

“Please, Ivy?  I just want to talk.”

His imploring look has me folding like a shaky house of cards before I’m able to think better of it.  I can only comfort myself with the fact that at some point, we would have probably sat down to talk about what happened between us.  So, if not now, then later.  Better to just get it over with.

I give him a tight nod before hugging my oversized bag a little closer to my body.  “Okay, but I can’t stay long.  I have plans later.”  It’s not that I’m trying to play games but what I do with my time is no longer Finn’s concern.  Just like what he does in his free time isn’t any of my business.

Something flares in his hazel eyes before he quickly tamps it down. Instead of fishing for information, he simply inclines his head towards the smoothie shop on the other side of the street.  “How about a smoothie?”

Damn but he knows me so well...

After being in the studio for three solid hours with only water to hydrate with, a smoothie sounds absolutely fantastic right about now.  I have to admit there’s something comfortable about falling back into a friendship with someone who knows all the little things you enjoy.  I give myself a sudden mental face slap, because that’s definitely not a reason to get back together with Finn.

“Okay, sure.”

Wordlessly we cross the street before heading inside the shop and ordering our drinks.  I get a pomegranate berry smoothie and Finn orders a strawberry banana one which is exactly what we always ordered when we were together. Once we have our drinks, we head outside to sit at one of the little café tables in front of the brick building.  It’s such a gorgeous day out, I just want to soak it all up before the nice days are few and far in between.

With the sun beating down upon us, we both sit, sipping from our straws for just a moment before Finn finally says, “Look Ivy, I want to apologize for my behavior the other night.  I honestly didn’t mean to piss you off.”  He glances away for just a minute before quietly continuing, “It took me by surprise that you seemed so chummy with King.  That you’re already on his radar… I mean, you just got back from France.”

Not that I owe him any kind of explanation, but I guess it feels somewhat warranted.  We did date for about six months during my freshman year before I left Barnett.  “Honestly Finn, I don’t know Roan at all.”  I give a little shrug of my shoulders.  “He lives right next door and he’s in one of my classes.  So we’ve run into each other.  That’s the extent of our relationship.”

Looking slightly agitated, Finn suddenly runs a hand through his thick mahogany colored hair which is cut short on the sides and left longer on top as his greenish-brown eyes drill into mine.  “Just do me a favor and stay away from him, Ivy.  Roan is nothing more than a douchebag player and everyone at Barnett knows it.  He’ll nail anything with a heartbeat and he doesn’t look back once he does. You’re way too good for that.”

I can’t figure out if it’s jealousy or genuine concern that has him issuing the warning.  Softly I say, “I appreciate the advice, Finn, but I have zero interest in the guy.”

Okay… so that isn’t altogether true because he’s absolutely gorgeous but after that first run in with him (and obviously the second), I’d already figured out he was the worst kind of trouble there is.  And in the subsequent days since, my opinion has only solidified.  People just naturally seem to flock to him.  Especially girls.  Every time I’ve caught a glimpse of him around campus, there have been at least three or four girls vying for his attention.

Thankfully we haven’t had any more exchanges since that party.  Not only have I been avoiding Finn, I’ve been avoiding Roan as well.  It also helps that I’m taking eighteen credits, working ten hours a week at
On Pointe
, and spending every spare moment I can in the dance studio working on chorography.