Fighting Fate

by Linda Kage

  Right?

  Hoping this worked, she shook her head back and forth, letting Reggie know she was totally free.

  He winked, his wide smile full of all the confidence in the world. “Well, you have plans now.”

  Dear God. She finally had a date with an available hottie.

  Score!

  If he didn’t hurry, he was going to be late.

  Logan dashed down the last flight of stairs in McCuffrey Hall—the math department—and shoved his way outside the building.

  His Linear Algebra professor had kept him a few minutes after class, asking if he’d like to become a tutor. Thrilled by the opportunity since math was his thing, Logan had readily agreed, but he’d shuffled his feet anxiously the entire time Dr. Cookson spent going over his requirements list.

  Time ran precariously limited as Logan found his usual bench already taken. Scanning quickly, he tightened his hold on his bag and found another unoccupied bench about thirty feet away.

  Paige would pass through this courtyard in moments, and he didn’t want to miss it.

  Plopping down, he set his bag beside him and searched for his lunch inside. Finding the PB&J squashed flat at the bottom, he pulled it out along with the envelope Cookson had given him to look through.

  Unwrapping his pancaked sandwich, he tore off a hearty bite with his teeth and slid out his new tutoring instructions with his free hand. As he chewed, he read through the curriculum plan Cookson wanted him to follow. It seemed pretty straightforward and simple. He was actually growing excited about this new venture when that familiar prickle of awareness danced across the back of his neck.

  Linear Algebra instantly forgotten, he lifted his face and scanned the courtyard.

  When he spotted a flash of silky dark hair, he tracked the movement until he caught sight of her.

  The breath caught in his throat. And so did his dry sandwich. Groping for the half-empty bottle of water he knew was in his bag, he kept his gaze on her and hastily unscrewed the cap to chug, wetting his suddenly dry throat.

  Paige had her own drink and was sucking through her straw while he drained his water. She must follow her own obsessed routine. She always carried an iced caramel latte across the courtyard when he watched her on these days. He could tell what flavor she drank by the color of the cup. The Squeeze had a strange system of color-coding their cups to fit the drink.

  He should probably feel guilty about stalking her, finding a spot to camp out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday just to see her for fifteen seconds as she walked across the main courtyard, drinking her iced caramel latte with a smile on her face. But she had bloomed in the past few weeks. Every day he caught a glimpse, he swore she walked with a little more buoyancy in her step, her chin notching just a little bit higher and her smile spreading a little bit wider.

  Seeing her transform from a shy freshman too hesitant to enter a room to this stunning beauty striding confidently across campus helped him heal.

  Granton had been good for her. And he was eternally grateful his presence here hadn’t chased her off. Whether she realized it or not, she was getting over her brother’s tragic death, maybe even her mother’s too. And that filled him with a certain peace.

  He was so lost in watching the healthy stain of contented color splashed across her cheeks, he almost missed the guy walking alongside her until she looked up and said something to him.

  A sharp pain exploded within his ribcage as he turned his attention to Reggie Oates, who looked as vividly excited as Paige did while they strolled together.

  They liked each other. From clear across the courtyard, Logan could see it as plain as day. Reggie was as into her as she was into him.

  He told himself this was good. Paige was moving on, dating guys. It was all part of the healing process. And Reggie was okay. Though Logan couldn’t guess what they’d ever have in common, he at least knew Reggie would treat her right.

  He looked away because watching the animation on their faces as they flirted hurt more than he wanted to admit. But when he realized he would miss the last few seconds of seeing her until next Monday, he turned back just in time to see Reggie put his arm around her shoulder and tug her tight against his side.

  Together, the pair walked past a building, blocking Logan’s view, but he continued to stare at the spot he’d last seen her.

  She was happy. So he should be happy for her. But as he looked down at the flat, half-eaten stale sandwich in his hand, all he felt was empty.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “THIS IS SO LAME.” Bailey yanked down a dress from her closet, rolled her eyes, and shoved it back onto the rack. “I can’t believe I’m actually getting excited about living vicariously through you. I think it’s about time some guy asked me out.”

  “Well, I don’t see how that’s going to happen if you never leave our room,” Tess tossed back, burrowing a path through her own closet.

  Bailey flipped her the bird. “Like you go out all the time either, loser.”

  “What?” Tess batted her lashes a little too innocently. “Someone has to stay behind and keep you company.”

  Amused, Paige munched from a bag of popcorn on Tess’s bed as she watched her suitemates banter back and forth.

  “Hey, what about this one?” Bailey spun toward them with a black flash of material in her hand.

  Tess let out a happy squeal. “Oh, your little black dress. What a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” Abandoning her own closet, she hurried to Bailey and snagged the dress away as she whirled to Paige, excitement glittering across her face. “This looks absolutely adorable on Bailey. It’ll look so cute on you too. Now, up!”

  “Uh…okay.” Realizing they wanted her to try it on that very minute, Paige reluctantly set her popcorn aside. To her surprise, Tess and Bailey each grabbed her arms, helping her off the bed.

  Together they stripped her of her shirt and jeans. Feeling more like their play doll than a human being, Paige shifted awkwardly as they pulled the black swath over her head.

  “Arms,” Tess commanded.

  Obediently, Paige lifted them and her hands poked through the armholes. The dress slid down over her body, the clingy synthetic blend feeling deliciously soft as it fell around her knees. Without checking a mirror first, she lifted her face to gauge Bailey and Tess’s reactions.

  Both girls frowned.

  “You’ve gotta be freaking kidding me,” Bailey muttered.

  Tess covered her mouth with one hand. “Oh, my. The only place it fits is in her boobs.”

  Confused, Paige glanced down. The waist and hips were a little loose, but it felt nice on her. Comfortable. Then she turned and looked at her reflection in their mirror.

  “It looks like you’re wearing a black potato sack,” Bailey wailed.

  Tess clucked her tongue. “I didn’t realize you were quite that skinny, Paige. Or chesty. You are so not trying on any of my dresses.”

  “Maybe we could pin the waist in.” Bailey gathered a handful of cloth, then another. “Good God, is your waistline, like, ten inches around?”

  Paige blushed, humiliated. “No.”

  “Um…” Tess tapped her finger against her chin and cocked her head to the side. “I don’t remember it looking that short on you either,” she told Bailey.

  “That’s because she’s like five inches taller than me. And it’s all in her legs. Ugh!” Scowling at Paige, Bailey set her hands on her hips. “I officially hate you. Pretty face and killer body. It’s just not fair.”

  “Okay, take it off,” Tess ordered, looking away as if disgusted. “It hurts too much to see you in that.”

  “And it’s my dress.” Clearly offended, Bailey helped Paige rip it off over her head.

  Scurrying to put her shirt back on, Paige mumbled, “I’m sorry, I—” In an attempt to make them feel better, she wanted to tell them she never looked good in black anyway; it washed out her already pale complexion completely. And with Bailey’s multi-colored hair cropped short in
varying lengths to frame her pixie-cute face with a stylish flare and her tanned skin, Paige was sure her suitemate really did look nice in this dress.

  “Sorry?” Bailey yelped, glancing at her incredulously. “Why are you sorry?”

  Tess laughed. “Sweetie, you’re gorgeous. Own it.”

  Nodding in agreement, Bailey grinned. “Totally.”

  Immediate relief swamped her; they didn’t hate her for being a little taller and slimmer than them.

  Through the bathroom, she heard her room door open. Hurrying even faster to yank her jeans on because Mariah rarely came home alone, she was just fastening the top button when Bailey called, “Hey, Hooker. Do you have a decent dress Paige can wear tonight?”

  “Oh my God,” Tess hissed, slapping her roommate’s arm. “I can’t believe you just called her that.”

  Bailey blinked, looking confused. “What? We always call her that.”

  “Not to her face.”

  Mariah appeared in the bathroom, scowling at all three of them. “And why does Paige need a dress?”

  “She’s going on a first date with some hot guy to a costume party,” Tess promptly answered, smiling engagingly at Mariah. “And we’re fresh out of costumes over here.”

  Paige soon learned there was one universal thing no girl could resist: playing dress up on another girl.

  As Mariah dragged her into their room, Bailey and Tess eagerly padded along behind, but they froze in the doorway when they saw the guy lounging against the door, waiting for Mariah. In cowboy boots, lean blue jeans, a shiny brass belt buckle, and a Western pearl-snapped shirt, he’d crossed one booted foot in front of the other.

  “Howdy,” he greeted with a Texas twang as he tipped his cowboy hat to them.

  Covering her heart with one hand, Bailey sank against Tess as she gawked.

  “All you really need for a costume party is some kind of ears and a kickass skanky dress,” Mariah instructed, pulling Paige along. Reaching into her closet, she tugged out a pair of bunny ears and set them on Paige’s head.

  “Oh, those are perfect.” Tess clapped, skipping closer. “So do you think you have a kickass skanky dress that’ll work?”

  Mariah rolled her eyes. “Look who you’re talking to here. Of course I do.”

  And she did. It was red, sinfully tight, and short enough that Paige wouldn’t dare bend over while wearing it.

  “It’s stunning,” Tess said, her voice awed. “Let’s try it on.”

  When she reached for the hem of Paige’s shirt, Paige skipped backward and sent the cowboy a leery glance. “Umm…”

  He grinned at her, flashing a pair of deep dimples. “Don’t stop on my account, darlin’.”

  Bailey whimpered.

  “Try it on after we’re gone then,” Mariah said with a sigh that told Paige what a prude she thought she was. “If that one doesn’t work, try this.” She shoved an emerald green dress into Paige’s arms. After grabbing up the overnight bag she often took with her when she stayed out all night, she strutted toward the cowboy. “Come on, handsome. Let’s go have some fun.”

  With a nod, he pulled open the door, and let her precede him into the hall. As he stepped from the room, he glanced back, tipping his hat again to Paige, Bailey, and Tess.

  “Ladies.”

  The three waved as if in a trance, watching him shut the door. Slowly turning toward Tess and Paige, Bailey gulped down an audible swallow. “I cannot believe what I just saw.”

  “I know, right?” Paige shook her head, a little flabbergasted herself. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her with the same guy more than once.”

  With a gasp, Bailey clasped her arm, hanging on tight. “He’s been here before? Do you know him? What’s his name? Is he single?”

  “Hello.” Tess waved a hand in front of Bailey’s face. “You just saw him with the hooker!” She snorted. “And you ask if he’s single?”

  “You’re right.” Bailey slapped the palm of her hand against her forehead. “Of course he’s single.”

  Tess turned to Paige. “Is she for real?”

  Paige had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

  “I wonder if he’s a real cowboy or if he was just wearing those clothes to look like one.” Bailey stared longingly toward Paige’s door as if she wanted another look at his…spurs. “Oh, what does it matter? He filled out those Wranglers like oh…my…gawd!”

  Paige arched her eyebrows Tess’s way. “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Bailey’s got a thing for cowboys.”

  Tess sighed. “How’d you guess?”

  As if she heard neither girl, Bailey glanced at Paige. “So do you think you can introduce us?”

  “You are so pathetic.” Groaning, Tess put her back to her roommate, dismissing her as she faced Paige. “Let’s try on the red one first.”

  It fit. A little too well. Her suitemates cheered and wolf-whistled as she spun in a circle before them.

  Paige winced. “You don’t think it’s too—”

  “You are wearing that dress and that’s final.” Bailey pulled out a chair from Mariah’s desk and dragged it to the sink. “Now sit. We’ll do your hair and makeup too.”

  While Bailey curled her hair into ringlets and pulled it up, Tess applied her new face.

  “Now remember.” Bailey nudged Tess’s elbow. “It’s Halloween so it’s perfectly fine for her to look like Hooker. Don’t be afraid to put it on thick and slutty.”

  Tess paused to send Bailey a dry frown. “I was gonna.”

  “Oh. Well…continue then.”

  The two worked in quiet efficiency for a few minutes, and Paige found herself wishing they’d say something. When her hands began to fidget in her lap, Tess patted them in a motherly manner.

  “When’s he going to pick you up?”

  Paige drew in a breath. “He’s not. I’m supposed to meet him there.”

  Both girls paused to stare at her. Then Bailey folded her arms over her chest. “You mean, you’re supposed to prance all the way across campus alone on Halloween dressed in that? Oh, hell no.”

  Siding with her roommate, Tess nodded. “It really would be safer if he picked you up.” Her bottom lip suddenly pouted. “Plus I want to see his face when he gets his first look at you.”

  Paige glanced between them. She hadn’t been looking forward to the trip there and home by herself, but Reggie had told her he needed to help organize the party so he wouldn’t have a chance to get away and come pick her up.

  “You know,” she said, thinking up the perfect plan. “Why don’t you two just come with me? I don’t think the party’s invitation only or anything, and I’d certainly feel better with you there.”

  Wearing his regularly issued bright red t-shirt with Designated Driver branded across his front and back in huge white letters, Logan crossed his arms over his chest and watched a bunch of costumed drunks party around him.

  “Hey, Designated Dave,” someone called. “Have a beer.”

  He ducked as some idiot lobbed an empty, crumpled can at his head. He offered the guy a tight smile. “Thanks.”

  Deciding to loiter in another room and wait for someone to require his services, he waded through a pathetic attempt at a mosh pit and pushed into the main living room of the fraternity house only to stop dead in his tracks. Arriving in the entrance opposite from him, a trio of lovely ladies dominated the scene.

  Fifty people had to be mingling between them, but all he saw was one girl. He couldn’t look away from the tall, slender one in the middle with the gorgeous mass of dark hair piled on top of her head and stray coils corkscrewing around her face. A crooked pair of bunny ears had been stuck on top, making her look as sexy as it did innocent and adorable.

  Nothing south of her neck was innocent, though. Especially his thoughts.

  Her dress was small, tight, glittery red—

  His brain short-circuited at her legs, too long and shapely to be anything shy of amazing.

  He actually recog
nized the redhead on her left before he realized whom he was ogling. The muscles in his stomach clenched hard and heat spread though his center. A ribbon of awareness curled up his spine, consuming him, until he had to remind himself to breathe.

  She was the most—

  “Paige!” Hearing someone else call her name over the thumping music and people shook Logan from his stupor. He jerked himself toward a shadowed corner so she wouldn’t spot him and watched as Reggie Oates approached her and took her elbow.

  Jealousy ate at him like an acid as they talked. When Oates led her into the kitchen where the drinks were being distributed, Logan didn’t follow. He forced himself out of the house and down the front steps past a couple making out in the porch swing and a game of washers going on in the yard.

  Positioning himself as far from the party as he could get, he found the designated driver’s car and leaned against it, closing his eyes and wishing someone would need a ride soon.

  Knowing she was here—with someone else and wearing that dress—was going to make this one painfully long night.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “THIRSTY?” HOLDING UP TWO CUPS, Reggie turned from the keg he’d led Paige to. When he handed her one full of frothy amber liquid, she stared at it bleakly for a moment before gifting him with a tight smile.

  “Thanks.” Taking one of the Solo cups from him, she held it high in front of her chest in an unconscious attempt to cover the girls and felt lame as her date took a hearty slug from his beer.

  With a refreshed sigh, he grinned and took her elbow. “Let’s mingle.”

  Paige nodded. “Okay.”

  She’d lost sight of Tess and Bailey as soon as Reggie had arrived and rushed her into the kitchen. He hadn’t even given her enough time to introduce them. She’d tried to wave goodbye to her friends, but when she’d glanced behind her, they were already gone, swallowed by a sea of head-banging bodies.