Read Player (What Happens on Campus Book 1) for Free Online Page A

to help herself, Chloe laughed, linking her arm through Riley’s as they both stepped out into the hall. In her heels, she towered head and shoulders over her roommate and they made quite a pair as they navigated the stairs, with Chloe being forced to use Riley as a crutch and constantly having to wiggle her dress further down her thighs.
    “I feel ridiculous,” she admitted when they reached the bottom of the stairs, “this dress is far too tight.”
    “You look hot,” Riley argued, “Parker is going to be so sorry that he stood you up last night.”
    “I don’t want to make him sorry, I just want to forget that I ever met him.”
    “Well, that’s going to be hard. He’s like a celebrity at this school. The star quarterback and absolutely gorgeous to boot.”
    “Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” she grumbled, once more grappling with her dress.
    Smirking, Riley shrugged, “I’d do him.”
    Laughing, Chloe shook her head as they stepped out into the fresh air, asking a minute late, “Do you know where we’re going?”
    Riley nodded, answering, “Terri text me the directions.” After they’d been walking for a while, she said, “I think that’s the place.”
    Students were streaming in and out of the big, colonial style building; nearly all of them clutched red plastic cups and several were clearly drunk already. To get into the house, they had to skirt around a couple who were making out enthusiastically right in the doorway. Inside, the noise hit her like a physical blow, music pumped out of the speakers and people shouted to be heard over it.
    Everywhere she looked there were students crammed into every available space, a mismatch of dancing, talking and lounging around on the sofas. It was claustrophobic and Chloe immediately felt uncomfortable. Riley, on the other hand, was glowing with excitement, fidgeting on the spot as she peered around with bright eyes, taking everything in.
    “Let’s go get a drink,” she proposed, “then we can search for my sister, she said she’d be here.”
    Nodding, Chloe followed her into the crush of people, sticking close as she wove her way through the crowd. Someone pinched her bum, but when she whipped around she couldn’t pinpoint who. In that moment of distraction, she lost sight of Riley and suddenly found herself all alone in the midst of the heaving mass of students. Instantly, she began to panic. Telling herself to calm down, that there was nothing to worry about, was useless; her heart was racing and it felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.
    Pushing through the crowd, she headed back towards the doors and out into the fresh, cool night air. Leaning against the wall, she took long, deep breaths and felt herself calming. A hand on her shoulder made her jump, a small scream escaping as she spun around.
    Quickly stepping back, Parker held up his hands. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I saw you legging it out of there and thought I’d come and check you were okay.”
    That was sweet, she thought, and then had to remind herself that he was a class A jerk. “I’m fine,” she answered, “it’s just really crowded in there and I lost Riley.”
    “I’ll help you find her,” he volunteered quickly.
    “That’s all right. She’s probably in the kitchen getting drinks, I’ll brave it in a minute.”
    “Come on, I know I’m not your favourite person in the world right now, but at least give me the chance to prove that I can be a decent human being.” He flashed her that charming smile and she felt herself responding despite what her mind told her.
    Straightening, she licked her lips and felt his eyes follow the action. “Fine.”
    Pressing his own lips together, clearly trying not to look smug, he held out a hand. When she didn’t take it, he wiggled his fingers and cajoled, “Come on, I wouldn’t want to lose you in the crowd.”
    Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. Instantly his fingers closed around hers and he