Best Friends Forever Read Free Page B

than anyone. He shoves one at me, spilling a little on my skirt, but I don’t mind. “Sorry about that, cutie,” he apologizes with a wink.
    Are all the guys at Coastal Carolina built to turn me on?
    I smile but don’t say anything. “Roman, glad you could make it,” he says, handing Roman a cup.
    “I wouldn’t miss it. Nolan, this is Hazel,” Roman introduces me; apparently he’s snapped out of his stupor and remembers that we are kind of together.
    “Hazel, so nice to meet you. Stay away from this one,” he suggests with a laugh.
    “I think I can handle him,” I retort, sure of myself.
    “Oh, Rome, you’ve got a hot one on your hands,” Nolan laughs. “Andre, man, what’s good? I missed you at initiation.”
    Andre looks guilty. “I told you I didn’t want to pledge, Nolan,” he says seriously.
    “Easy, man, I’m just kidding. No frats for you. But you’ll still be the best man at my wedding,” Nolan assures him.
    “Oh, are you married?” Miranda asks, speaking up for the first time. A slow blush creeps up her neck as soon as she utters the words.
    Nolan laughs. “I was speaking metaphorically. Not engaged,” he replies. “They’re about to start the bonfire, let’s go.” Nolan leads us all to the large circle of driftwood and camp wood. It’s hardly a bonfire, but it’s big enough, so I don’t point that out. Not to mention, I don’t want to piss anyone off.
    Someone had dragged several logs to the fire, spreading them out around the flames for people to sit. There are six of us and we crowd on two logs, three to a log. I squished between Roman and Nolan, and there’s really no place I’d rather be.
    I keep quiet while they all talk about their majors, classes they’ve signed up for, and what they want to do with their lives. I’m entranced by Roman and his assertiveness, his confidence. He knows exactly what he wants and he has no problems telling people exactly how he’s going to get it.
    “I’m going to get an engineering degree and do classified civilian work for the government,” he tells the group as Cheyanne and Audric approach. “I’ve got money to make.”
    I see Cheyanne roll her eyes, but she doesn’t say anything. Nolan stands to give up his seat for her. She sits and whispers to me. “Who the hell are all these people?”
    I laugh. “Everyone,” I address the group. “This is my roommate, Cheyanne. Cheyanne, this is Nolan, Andre, Miranda, and Destiny.” I point out each person to her. Cheyanne and Nolan exchange a look I can’t place, but I ignore it.
    Everyone says hello to Cheyanne and I notice Andre is extremely attentive to what she says. Nolan walks away to do a keg stand and I admire his physique when his shirt rides up, revealing his muscled chest. He’s hot, but when he stands upright again, his eyes are on Cheyanne. Frustrated, I get up and walk away from the group, eager to be alone for just a moment. When I feel a hand on my shoulder, I’m surprised to see it’s Roman.
    “You okay?”
    “Yeah, I just needed some fresh air. I think the bonfire smoke was getting to me.”
    “Let’s take a walk,” he suggests and takes my hand. My heart skips a beat. “So, I’m really glad you came.”
    “Oh? Because I seem to recall you saying that Cheyanne was your girlfriend,” I mutter, anger building up inside me.
    “That was a bad move, I know. And I’m sorry. I honestly thought she and I would get back together. We have a history, you know? And we’ve been on-again, off-again for the last four years. I guess I assumed she would get lonely at college and come back to me again.”
    “Wow, there’s so much wrong with everything you just said,” I say, pulling my hand from his and stopping as we neared the water. Large waves crash over the sand. “First, don’t hit on another girl when you’re obviously still pining for your ex. Second, it’s only the first day. If Cheyanne is going to get lonely, it won’t be today. And third, if you