Mathewson
“Are you going to explain what the fuck happened last night?” Ian says, sounding exasperated. “A girl barges in, you insult her, then you ask her out and she agrees? What did I miss?”
“I think what we witnessed was a badass sorority girl ripping Matt James’ balls right from his body,” Kip jests and all the guys join him in laughter.
I mumble curses under my breath, wanting to tell them all to fuck off, but knowing it’ll only spur them on.
“But seriously, man. What was that?” Kip says.
I groan, not wanting to have this conversation with these idiots.
“It’s kind of hard to explain. She’s in my Econ class, and, well, I kind of have a thing for her.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.
“There’s no kinda about it. You acted like a fucking lovesick puppy, dude.” Rocky titters.
I ignore him and trudge forward. “It turns out she is also the treasurer for Beta Kappa Nu, and I sent a less-than-PC response back to an email she sent, asking us to headline a charity event.”
“Since when do you turn away charity?” Rocky asks.
“We don’t, but this sorority is less than ideal to work with in any capacity.”
“That might be the dumbest thing you’ve ever said,” Kip quips. “Sororities are exactly my kind of thing.”
“Yours, but not mine,” I remind him.
He may like to get balls-deep in a swarm of STDs, but I pass.
“They’re the sorority also raising money by auctioning off their virginity.”
Rocky scrunches his nose. “And that’s a problem why? Hell, I might bid.”
“She’s not for fucking sale,” I seethe.
His hands fly up in surrender. “Calm down, dude. I wasn’t talking about her specifically. I’m sure she has friends who’d be a good distraction for a night.”
“It’s wrong, and they shouldn’t be doing it,” I say, cringing at the thought of Caroline being handed off to the highest bidder.
“You’re going to call and cancel on her?” Kip asks, disapprovingly.
There’s no way in hell I’m canceling.
“No. As much as I don’t agree with their tactics, Caroline isn’t that girl. She’s different. I know it.”
“I’ll do it if you say so, but my dick isn’t getting within two feet of some virgin. They’re stage ten clingers. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll snag one of the veterans,” Ian says.
I’m in no place to judge Ian. I’m not exactly a Boy Scout either, but I can’t help but get defensive where Caroline is concerned. She doesn’t strike me as the type to get clingy. But the fact is, I know very little about her. If you’d have asked me before today, I never would’ve said she was a sorority chick.
All the sorority girls I know on this campus are band groupies, park their asses in the front row of every show and have no problem showing their goods. She’s not like that. I don’t care, I couldn’t have been that wrong about her. No, she’s still the girl I’ve wanted this entire semester.
We finish up our practice without another word about the charity gig for Caroline or my lack of balls. I hurry out after it’s over and spend forty-five minutes getting ready. Forty-five fucking minutes. The guys are right; my balls are gone.
* * *
Now I’m standing outside the sorority house, rocking back and forth on my feet, nervous as hell. Get a grip. I ring the bell and wait on wobbly legs. I’m officially a pussy. Moments later the door swings open and my breath hitches. Caroline Littrell is beautiful. There’s no denying she is my kryptonite, and I’m fucked.
“Hi,” she says shyly.
“Hi,” I repeat lamely. I can’t speak, words have failed me and my brain is mush. All I want to do is pull her to me and never come up for air.
“So, where are we going? Have I dressed appropriately?” she asks with a hint of concern.
My eyes rove over her. She’s perfect. From the navy shirt that hugs her breasts and white capri pants that tie in the front, down to the red toenails that her brown flip-flops showcase, she’s breathtaking. “Perfect” slips from my mouth in a whisper, and a brilliant smile spreads across her lips. I reach out and grab her hand, pulling her to my side. It’s seventy-six degrees outside. “Is it okay if we walk? We’re not going far,” I promise.
“Sure. It’s beautiful today. I could use the walk.”
I smile, loving that she goes with the flow. Other girls I’ve dated aren’t so easy to please. The idea of walking and potentially sweating would’ve freaked them out. Not Caroline.
“I’m sorry about interrupting your practice like that. I was desperate,” she says, eyes cast downward.
“Don’t apologize. I was a dick, Caroline. I made an assumption about an entire group of people based on my experience with a handful. It wasn’t fair. I just don’t understand the thought process behind selling off your virginity.”
She sighs. “You and me both.”
“Are you involved with that?” I don’t want to ask. I don’t want to know. But I can’t help it. The thought of Caroline auctioning off her virginity makes my stomach turn.
“Yes, we all are,” she whispers, sounding ashamed.
“Why?” I ask, not trying to sound disgusted or judgmental, but failing a bit.
“We need money. The sorority is in financial trouble and my sorority sister’s family needs the money too. The girls decided this was a viable option. I don’t like it, but I’m kind of getting pushed into it. It’s the one thing they all have to give. We made a virginity pact on bid night,” she says sounding embarrassed.
I stop in my tracks turning toward her. “Don’t be embarrassed about something like that, Caroline. It’s awesome that you’ve waited for the right person.”
Her cheeks redden, and she won’t even look at me. My face heats with my mounting anger. I try hard to press it down. I’m not angry at her. I’m angry that she’s being pushed into it. “You won’t find the right guy at that auction.”
“I know. That’s why I was trying to organize the charity concert. I hoped I’d make enough money on my own that we could cancel the auction.”
“You will, and I’ll make sure of it, Caroline.”
She smiles, squeezing my hand as we continue forward. Ahead the streets are lined with booths and vendors, selling various art and goods. It’s the annual street fair. I look to Caroline, nervous about what she’ll think of my choice of date, but what I find has my chest puffing with pride. She’s beaming.
“I’ve been wanting to get down here. I’m so excited, Mathewson!”
The way she says my name sends chills down my spine and has my balls tightening.
Nobody calls me Mathewson but my family and close friends. To most everyone on this campus, I’m Matt James, lead singer of Punch-Drunk Kids. I like being something more to Caroline. More than anything, I like that she didn’t even know who I was. She’s different than all the others.
“What do you want to do first?” I ask, letting her pick.
“Skee-Ball,” she says pointing to my personal favorite carnival game.
“Game on!”
“What are we playing for?”
“Do I have a gambler on my hands?”
She chuckles. “Possibly.”
I tap my finger to my chin a couple of times. “If I win, you have to come to my concert tomorrow night.”
Her brow rises. “And if I win?”
“That’s your call, blondie.”
She smiles. “If I win, I get backstage passes.” She winks.
“So, you do follow PDK,” I tease.
“No, I’ve never been to a single one of your concerts. I couldn’t even sing one of your songs. I don’t go out. Ever,” she admits, averting her eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. If music wasn’t my life, you wouldn’t find me out, either.”
“What would the great Matt James be doing?” she teases, smiling coyly.
“Now I’m Matt, eh?”
“You know what I mean. I want to know what every other girl on campus wants to know, what is it that Matt James likes?”
“Every girl on campus wants this information, yet you had no idea that he sat right in front of you all semester?” I’m goading her for my own ego. I don’t give a damn what any other girl on campus thinks of me, but I care about Caroline.
“I told you. I don’t go out. I always hear the girls gossip about how hot you are, but it doesn’t mean a thing to me. I like music, but I’m more of a book girl myself.”
“Ouch. You wound me.”
“Change my mind. Win this bet and show me the concert that will change my life.” She smirks.
“Done.”
We play, but I must admit I throw the game. Skee-Ball is my jam, but the thought of having Caroline at my concert and backstage afterward is worth the bruised ego. I’m not too proud. When she throws her last ball and officially wins the game, she jumps and hoots in celebration before turning on me.
“Like I didn’t know you were throwing off,” she says with an arched brow and fake scowl.
I step in closer to her. “Maybe I just want you close to me.”
At that moment a group of rowdy teens comes through, pushing us flush against each other. Caroline is against me and damn if I can help it, I harden as her tits press up against my chest. My ears heat in embarrassment until I watch her tongue dart out and swipe a seductive line across her bottom lip, pulling it into her mouth in a move that has my dick straining my pants.
“I’m hungry,” Caroline says.
“Me too.” My voice is rough with want.
She laughs softly. “For food, Matt.”
I grin. “That’s what I was talking about. Get your head out of the gutter.”
She playfully slaps my chest and turns on her toes to head toward the row of food. I watch as her tight ass sways.
This girl will be the death of me.