“Sadie, you do know that boy is crazy about you, right? Even Rob told me he has never seen Brady like this over anyone. Anyone, Sadie.” Oh, I’ve missed how girlfriends can make you feel so good.

“I’m sure Rob hates that.”

“Who gives a shit what Rob says. I’m not sure what his problem with you is, but I’m going to find out.”

“I worry he won’t wait that long, but it scares me that even if he accepts it, it will only be to sleep with me and then he will be gone. I don’t think I can handle that, Jessa. He came into my life so unexpectedly but honestly, I can’t imagine it without him now.”

“Oh, Sadie. Someone did a number on you, too,” she says. Her eyes are so empathetic it makes me want to cry for myself. “Trust him, Sadie. I know it’s hard to put yourself out there, but it might be just what you need to find happiness.” She remains quiet for a few minutes as I mull over what she is saying. “Just think about it. Brady is one of the good ones, Sadie.” She stands up. “Now let’s go gorge ourselves on the desserts.”

“Jessa?” I get up from the chair, waiting for her to turn around. “Thank you.”

“Sadie, I consider you my best friend. I know it’s unconventional and we appear to be complete opposites and we’ve only known each other for a couple months, but I can already see our similarities. Fate must have brought us both here to help each other heal.” She actually reaches out and hugs me. Surprise doesn’t even explain how stunned I am.

“Jessa, if I didn’t know better…”

“Did you think I was a selfish bitch or something?” She laughs and opens our dorm door. I follow her, happy to have her as a friend. Years ago I would have made fun of her, snickering behind her back. Jessa was probably never a selfish bitch like I was.

Chapter 12

Fall is in full force by the time Halloween comes around. On my way to Brady’s, I pass college kids in droves, dressed up in costumes. The Invisibles are playing at Ace’s tonight, but Brady and I have opted out of wearing costumes. The last few weeks have been amazing. I talk to him at least ten times on any given day. He takes me on dates and we meet at the Student Center for lunch. I have even divulged to him my lack of math skills so he is my new tutor, making the reward system that much better when I get an answer right or score high on a test. Let’s just say, I have extra incentives to study harder.

Hands have roamed while our lips are locked. Brady freely smacks my ass when I walk by and never hesitates to take me into his arms. The awkwardness that a new relationship brings has been replaced by the calm security of knowing that he is mine and vice-versa. But the butterflies still run rapid in my body when Brady even grazes my body.

We haven’t slept together yet, literally or figuratively. Tonight might change all that. I packed an overnight bag, just in case I’m brave enough to face this. Brady has been patient, never rushing or pushing the limits, letting me take the lead. I’m trying to take Jessa’s advice and put my trust in him. God knows he deserves it.

I ring the doorbell since the other three guys live here and I don’t feel comfortable just walking in. I hear the big footsteps before Dex opens the door. “Hey Sadie, come on in.” He moves aside and lets me through the door.

“I like it,” I compliment his green painted body with purple ripped pants and no shirt. He definitely has the body to pull off The Hulk. My eyes rest on his stomach, trying to count the number of grooves. Is there such a thing as an eight pack?

“Thanks, the guys made it easy. Brady’s upstairs.” He sprints down the basement steps, I assume to get the instruments.

The house still amazes me. Do they hire a cleaning lady like the frat houses? Every time I come here, there isn’t one speck of dust anywhere. Not even on all the oak railings going upstairs. Brady’s door is closed when I get up there, so I knock softly.

He opens the door and I bust out laughing before walking in. He is dressed in a pair of khaki’s with a crease down the middle of each leg and a polo shirt with a sweater tied around his neck. His brown hair resembles a pop star, parted to the side while long layers cover his right eye. He could model for Ralph Lauren on a yacht in the Hamptons the way he looks.

“Nice.” I turn my head up to him, confused.

“First off…” He puts his arm around my waist and pulls me into him, shutting the door behind me. His lips find mine in two point two seconds, exploring my mouth. If this is the start of the night, I have no hope of making it back to my dorm later. As sudden as his lips find mine, they disappear. “You trust me right?” He smirks down at me and my stomach turns into knots with the possible intentions of that question. “I got you a costume.” Relief washes over me until I see where he’s pointing.

On the bed is a neatly folded pile of black clothes. A pair of red Doc Martens boots rest on the floor at the edge of the bed. I can’t imagine what is in that pile. “I thought we weren’t doing costumes?” I ask, picking up a black tank top from the stack.

“It’s Halloween, we have to dress up, Sadie. Funny, right? It’s like we are the opposites of who we are.” He plops his body on the bed and rests his head in his hand, staring over at me.

“I guess so. I think my naughty witch and sexy nurse costumes had more fabric than this.” I hold out the fishnet stockings he has bought me.

“You can’t blame me, can you?” When he turns that right side of his lips up, I know I will be wearing it.

“Well…leave and I will change.” I wave my hand to the door.

“Come on, baby! I will turn my back. I don’t want to miss one second of you in that outfit.”

“Fine, turn around,” I reluctantly agree, twisting my finger in a circle and Brady turns his back to me, facing his headboard. Leaving my eyes locked on his back, I take off my black boots and skinny jeans. I’m thankful I wore a nice black panty and bra set tonight on the off chance Brady would be peeling them off me.

By the time I’m finished dressing, I have to admit Brady did a good job. Short black mini shirt with a black tank top and a red shirt that has a wide neckline exposing a bare shoulder. The black fishnets run down my legs ending in a bright red pair of boots. This might be the sexiest outfit I have ever worn. Definitely the most revealing.

Straightening out the skirt with both hands, I tell Brady he can turn around. I stare down at myself, taking deep breaths with the hope I can pull this outfit off. My eyes look up at him and in the whole time I have been with him, he has never possessed this look. So much heat radiates from his eyes as they roam up and down my body, I think he could ignite me into flames with the fire that fills his eyes. His desire is like nothing I have seen or felt in my life.

“Jesus, Sadie.” I see his Adam’s apple rise up and dip back down. “I’m speechless. You’re gorgeous…you’re sexy…you’re so fucking perfect.” In two steps he is in front of me. Without my heels, he towers at least a foot over me. “You have no idea how hard it is for me not to grab you and throw you down on my bed right now. It’s taking every ounce of self-restraint I have to be this close to you and not be inside of you.” He hasn’t touched me but we are so close, our breaths rise and fall at the same rate. For the first time, I see small green specks in his brown eyes as they bore into mine.

“Would you want me to dress like this all the time?” I can’t help but feel he would prefer me to be more his style.

“No. I would never want you to change, Sadie.” His voice is steady. “I like my little preppy girl,” he says, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear.

“Promise?” I display my own insecurity with our differences.

“I promise.” He rests his hands on either side of my face. “I hope I don’t have to beat too many guys’ asses tonight.” He brings his lips close to mine but I slightly push him away and he looks at me, puzzled.