Chapter 2

two

. . .

Sloane

All week, I can’t stop thinking about the “Me” road. The more I dwell on it, the more it starts to make sense.

I bury myself in my books, trying to stay ahead of my readings, but I can’t escape the pit growing in my stomach.

Joe and I have spent three years building what I thought was our future—a power couple in the making. He’d get drafted into the NFL, and I’d stand by his side, unwavering through thick and thin.

But this week, he’s dodgy. “Super busy” with workouts, he says. Too busy to hang out.

It’s bullshit, and I know it. He’s stalling. Avoiding the inevitable.

And so am I.

When Friday rolls around, Jacklyn tells me Asher has been asking about me, wondering if I’m coming to their “casual get-together” at Sigma Nu. My answer is an easy, resounding hell yes.

We arrive at the party, and the basement is packed. Music thumps through the walls, beer pong tables are full, and the air smells like cheap beer and cologne.

Joe is already there, tall and handsome, playing beer pong with some guys and a scantily clad girl I’ve never seen before. When he spots me, he gives me a lazy chin nod, his attention barely wavering from his game.

“So…” Jacklyn leans toward me. “Are you going to do it? Break up with him?”

“Yes. I’m doing it.” My voice is firm, though my heart pounds. “Just not in front of everyone. I don’t want to cause drama.”

“Such a good girl.”

The voice isn’t Jacklyn’s. It’s low, amused, and comes from behind me.

I turn and find Asher, grinning at me.

“Oh, hey…you,” I say, smiling despite myself.

“Hey…you,” he echoes. “Need a beer?”

He slips behind the makeshift bar, pulling out a couple of Bud Lights, handing them to Jacklyn and me.

“I thought you guys were on probation,” Jacklyn says, arching an eyebrow.

He laughs, cracking his drink open. “We’re always on probation. And always drinking.”

“You don’t worry about drinking before game days?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Practice is the hard part for me. Since I’m the backup, I study whoever we’re playing and simulate their quarterback so our defense can prep all week. Saturdays? That’s my easy day. Can’t say the same for our starter.”

His eyes flick toward Joe, who’s now leaning into that same girl, laughing at something she said. My stomach tightens.

“How’s Joe looking this year?” I ask, testing the waters.

Asher gives me a dry look. “No idea. I don’t give a shit about him.”

“Oh? Aren’t you in the same frat?”

He leans forward, voice lowering. “Here’s the thing: just because we’re in the same frat doesn’t mean I have to like him. And in Joe’s case, I think he’s a POS.”

“Oh?”

“Not getting into details. I don’t like to talk shit.”

“Is he dating anyone?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

“I couldn’t care less. I don’t keep track of his flavor of the weeks.”

Flavor of the week?

“He doesn’t…you know, have a girlfriend?” I pry.

Asher leans back, eyeing me carefully. “Look, I don’t know why you’re grilling me about him. I like studying and having the occasional beer, not gossip.”

“Yeah!” Joe’s voice cuts through the noise as he sinks the last cup. He raises his arms in victory. “That’s what I do! I fucking win!”

He hugs the girl next to him, then notices me watching. Grabbing his drink, he strolls over.

“Hey, babe. What’s up?”

Asher’s gaze flicks between us, his face unreadable as Joe plants a quick kiss on my cheek.

“We just won, so we’re up for the next two games,” Joe says, grinning. “What are you up to tonight?”

My cheeks flush with anger, heat rising to my throat. Jacklyn nudges me, giving me a pointed look that says just break up with him now.

“I, uh…I just came to hang out with you,” I manage, my voice carefully controlled.

“Ah, yeah. That’s great,” he says, nodding as if I’m an afterthought. “Look, I want to hang out too…maybe in a couple of hours? After we finish these games?”

In a couple of hours?

The words are calm when they leave my mouth. “Yeah. Okay. Whatever you want.”

“Great!” He winks, completely oblivious. “I’ll see you later.”

I watch him walk back to the beer pong table, wrapping an arm around the girl and laughing like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

And in that moment, I know we’re done.

Jacklyn, Asher, and I exchange a glance—a silent acknowledgment of the awkwardness Joe just left in his wake.

“Asher…maybe we could just chill in your room?” Jacklyn suggests, breaking the tension. “Not sure if this is our scene tonight.”

“Absolutely. Let’s head upstairs,” Asher says smoothly.

We follow him up to the third floor, past Joe’s room—which I know all too well—and into Asher’s.

It’s next door to Joe’s, but the vibe couldn’t be more different. Asher’s room is tidy and organized, with a twin bed neatly made, a desk against the wall, and a surprisingly comfortable-looking two-seater couch.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” he says with a grin, opening his laptop. He queues up some Morgan Wallen, the soft twang of country music filling the space. The lights dim slightly, casting a warm glow, as he hands each of us another beer.

“So…” Asher leans against the desk, his smile playful. “Should we play a drinking game?”

“Absolutely,” Jacklyn nods enthusiastically. “Anything you have in mind?”

“Drink every time your boyfriend is an asshole?” Asher quips, raising an eyebrow before immediately shaking his head. “Sorry. That was out of line. Forget I said that.”

“Pssh. We’d be so drunk we couldn’t walk home,” Jacklyn says with a laugh, her wit cutting through the awkwardness.

“Yeah…can we just not talk about that for a bit?” I ask, my voice soft but firm.

“Of course,” Asher says, his tone gentler now. “How about King’s Cup? Do you know the rules?”

“Ace is a waterfall,” I begin, ticking them off on my fingers. “Two is for you. Three is for me. Four is floor—last person to touch the floor drinks.”

Asher’s grin widens. “You’re familiar. I knew I liked your vibe, Sloane. This is the pre-game, after all. The best part of the night.”

An hour or so later, I’m not going to lie—I’m pretty buzzed. My emotions are a confusing stew, and I’m not sure if drinking is helping me process them or just making everything blurrier.

Asher draws a six. “Six is for chicks. Drink,” he says with a mischievous grin.

Jacklyn draws a five. “Five is for the guys. Your turn.”

I draw a two. “Me, again?!” I laugh, taking another pull of my beer.

“Oh, y’all. Brian just texted me,” Jacklyn says, glancing at her phone. “He just finished his late lab and…he wants me to come over.”

“Booty call,” Asher teases, sticking his tongue out.

“It’s not like that,” she protests, blushing. “Okay, maybe it’s a little like that. He’s my boyfriend, though.”

“Well, go get some,” Asher jokes. “At least one of us is getting laid tonight.”

Jacklyn stands, grabbing her bag. “He’s been so busy this week. These senior chem classes are stressing him out. I plan to offer him a little…relaxation tonight.”

We both laugh, and she leans down to hug me. “What do you want to do, Sloane? I don’t want to abandon you.”

“I’m having fun. I’ll stay.”

“Fine with me if it’s okay with you. Will you take care of her, Ash?”

“Sure will,” he says with an exaggerated salute.

“Okay. I’m out,” Jacklyn says, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She gives me a sly grin on her way out. “Have fun.” There’s a playful, sing-song lilt to her voice that makes me roll my eyes.

The door closes, and I heave a sigh, turning back to the game. Instantly, I feel it—a shift in the air.

It’s that flirty, electric tension that comes when you’re getting to know someone new.

I missed this.

Asher draws an eight.

“Eight. That is…”

“The dare card,” I giggle.

“The dare card,” he repeats, grinning. “How hard do I want to go with this?”

“Hard as you want. I like it like that.”

His eyes widen, and he grins. “You like it hard, Sloane? What are we talking about, exactly?”

I stick my tongue out. “Kidding. Who’s the one with the dirty mind now?”

He shakes his head, still smiling. “Okay. I dare you to…no. Too crazy.”

“What? I can do crazy,” I say, leaning forward.

“You have a boyfriend. Or do you? I’m a pretty drama-free guy. Not sure if you’ve noticed that about me.”

“I won’t, soon. I’m going to break up with him.”

“Really?” His voice softens, and his eyes search mine.

“Are you kidding? Did you see that interaction earlier? He barely even noticed I existed.”

Asher tilts his head, studying me. “Fair. But breaking up with someone isn’t always easy. You sure about it?”

I hold out my hand. “Give me a pen and that paper.”

Asher grabs a pen and paper from his desk and hands them to me.

I sit down and write:

Joe,

I don’t think you’re a bad guy. But, given the evidence I’ve seen, and how you treat me lately, we need to break up. I’m sorry. People change. You certainly have. Sometimes, these relationships come to an end. I wish you well.

Best,

Sloane.

I hold the note up for Asher to see. “Happy now?”

“A written note. Classy. Are you actually going to give it to him?”

I stand, open the door, and step into the hallway. Sliding the note under Joe’s door, I feel an odd sense of relief. When I return to Asher’s room, I brush my hands together like it’s a done deal.

“Done. Simple as that.”

“Wow,” Asher says, raising his beer in a mock toast. “A true businesswoman.”

I shrug. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve seen him pulling away emotionally. I’m not an idiot. I doubt he’ll even be surprised.” I take a sip of my beer. “So…what’s the dare?”

“I dare you to take off your panties,” he smirks.

My breath catches. For a moment, I’m sure I misheard him. My skin prickles with awareness, heat creeping up my neck as I process the audacity of his words.

I arch a brow, trying to play it cool even as my heart pounds like a drum. “How do you know I’m wearing them in the first place?”

His grin widens. “A skirt with no panties? That’d be ballsy. I mean…it’d be hot, too.”

“Fine.”

My heart pounds as I stand. Slowly, I slide the panties down my thighs, step out of them, and toss them onto the arm of the couch.

“Happy?”

“Your turn,” he says, his grin wicked.

I draw another card. “Well, what do you know. Another eight. Time for payback.”

“Hit me.”

“I dare you to take off your jeans.”

“So original,” he says, smirking.

“Okay, you know what…” I laugh.

“What if I’m not wearing anything underneath them?”

I swallow hard, my voice quieter. “That’d be ballsy,” I joke, echoing him. No way.

“Guess we’ll find out…if I freeball or not,” he jokes.

Keeping his eyes locked on mine, Asher stands and unbuckles his belt. Slowly, he unzips his jeans and lets them drop.

And he wasn’t joking.

My breath catches as my gaze drifts downward.

“Oh my,” I murmur. “You were…serious.”

And that is seriously huge.

Asher gives me the most devilish smirk, sitting back down in his chair. His shirt is still on, but he’s bare from the waist down, his not-hard—but still impressively large—cock out.

“I was.” He shrugs. Just…rocking out now.

“Okay, then.” I clear my throat, doing my best to look at the card game and concentrate on anything other than the fact that I am getting extremely turned on.

Fuck me. Is this what single life is like?

“Should we draw another card, or are we just playing ‘dare’ at this point?” he asks, his grin teasing.

“Dare me. Go ahead.”

He leans forward slightly, his voice dropping. “I dare you to kiss me.”

“Kiss you… anywhere?”

“Anywhere you want.”

My breath hitches, and I bite my lower lip as I stand. Crossing the small space, I straddle him on the couch, wrapping my arms around his neck. Slowly, I lean in, my lips brushing down his clean-shaven cheek before landing on his neck.

I plant a long, lingering kiss there, savoring the way his skin warms under my touch.

“Mmmm, fuck, Sloane,” he groans, his voice gravelly and low, the sound vibrating against my lips.

His hands find my hips, strong and steady, pulling me closer until our bodies are flush. His bare skin grinds against mine, every movement electric. The absence of panties makes it impossible to ignore the heat between us, every subtle shift sending sparks racing through my body.

I instinctively thrust back, our rhythm aligning in perfect, tantalizing sync. It’s raw, intimate, and hotter than anything I’ve ever felt before.

His lips brush my ear, his breath hot as he whispers, “You have no idea how crazy you’re driving me right now.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I tilt my head, my lips hovering over his. “Maybe I do,” I tease, my voice soft but laced with challenge.

His grin is wicked, his eyes dark with hunger. “Then don’t stop.”

The words hang between us, full of promise, as I press my body closer to his, letting the moment take over completely.