The Hockey Bully’s Fuck Toy Pt 4

Chapter 4 

It was evening, but I couldn't help thinking of Zack's words since this afternoon.

I cleaned my room, I did all my assignments, I even called both my parents. Yet through it all, I couldn't concentrate. All I thought of was Zack. Was he bluffing? Did he mean what he said? 

In thirty minutes, Zack would come pick me up in his fancy car, yet here I was standing in the middle of my room in nothing but a towel, my hair freshly washed and smelling like the vanilla conditioner I used. Oh God, I needed to calm down before I had a full panic attack.

My phone ringing brought me back to reality, and I flinched so hard I nearly dropped it. I was so deep in my thoughts the sudden sound scared me to death.

I didn't even look at the caller ID before I snatched it up and pressed it to my ear. "Hello," I rasped, my voice coming out like a croak.

"Woah, Soph. Are you alright?" He rang out 

It was Ethan. Of course it was Ethan. "Yeah, Ethan, I'm fine, just, um, tired, you know," I said, trying my best to sound normal and casual.

"Oh, I get it. Zack's your project partner. That must really suck, honestly. I'm sure he's already making you do all the work with that big Halloween party he's planning. 

My eyes widen in surprise. "You know?" I ask gasp

"Of course I know. Everyone knows, Soph. Zack Carter throws the most epic Halloween parties every single year. It's like the event of the entire semester, maybe even the whole year." Ethan laughs, but there's definitely an edge to his voice. 

“Either way, everyone who's anyone on campus wants an invite to his parties. People literally talk about them for months afterward."

I'm wide-eyed and genuinely surprised. I've never been to parties, not once in my entire time here at college. 

The idea of Zack hosting something so extravagant and wild, makes my stomach flip with a strange mixture of anxiety and curiosity.

"The guy basically takes over his family's entire mansion for it," Ethan continues. “Can you even imagine? It's completely insane and so typical of someone like him, always showing off."

I bite my lip hard, processing all of this new information. I had absolutely no idea the parties were such a massive deal on campus.

"So, listen," Ethan continues, and his tone shifts to something much softer and hopeful. "Are you going to be busy tonight? I could come over to your dorm and help you with the project, you know, we could order pizza, maybe make a whole night of it and actually get some work done. You know Zack's not going to be any help.”

My heart sinks like a heavy stone dropping into water, and guilt washes over me. I want to tell him the truth, but I know without a doubt that he wouldn't support it. He'd probably try to talk me out of going, tell me I'm being stupid and naive, that Zack is just going to use me or hurt me. "Actually, I, um, I have plans tonight," I say quickly, stumbling over my words as I try desperately to keep my voice steady and believable.

"Plans?" Ethan sounds genuinely confused now, maybe even a little hurt, and I can hear the disappointment in his voice. "What kind of plans? You never have plans on weeknights, Soph."

"Just... stuff I need to take care of. For the project," I lie.

There's a long, heavy pause on the other end of the line, and I can practically hear him processing my words, trying to figure out what I'm not telling him. "Alright, well, if you need anything at all, just call me, okay? Anytime, even if it's really late. I mean it, Soph."

"I will. Thanks so much, Ethan. " The words feel heavy and wrong on my tongue.

I hang up and stare at my phone screen for a long moment, feeling terrible, before suddenly realizing what time it is. Zack will be here any minute now. I need to move fast.

I rush over to the mirror and start frantically working on my hair. My blonde curly hair is unruly and wild as always, the curls springing in every possible direction and refusing to cooperate no matter what I do to tame them. I smooth it down as best as I can, using some anti-frizz serum and carefully pulling it back into what I hope is a sleek ponytail. A few rebellious strands escape and frame my face, but it'll have to do. 

I move quickly to my closet and stand there staring at the rows and rows of skirts I always wear, all the safe choices hanging there. But tonight feels completely different. Tonight, I need to feel different

I pull out the low-waisted flared jeans my mom got me months ago for my birthday, the ones I've never actually worn before because they felt too bold. I slip them on carefully, and they hug my hips perfectly, sitting low on my waist in a way that makes me feel incredibly exposed.

Quickly, I grab an oversized white T-shirt from my drawer and pull it over my head, letting the fabric fall past my hips and cover the fact that I'm wearing low-rise jeans underneath. I don't want him to think I'm trying too hard.

I glance at myself in the mirror one final time, smoothing down the shirt nervously with both hands and adjust my ponytail to make sure everything looks okay.

By the time I'm completely done getting ready, it's totally dark outside, the sky pitch black except for a few dim streetlights casting yellow pools of light. The darkness is actually good, I tell myself firmly. No one will see me slip into Zack's car under the cover of night. But would I even be able to make it back home tonight safely?

I shake the worried thought away forcefully and pack my books and notes into my bag. I sling the bag over my shoulder and head downstairs.

His car parked right there in front of my dorm building, impossible to miss. The sleek black convertible gleams under the streetlights.

I take one deep breath, trying  to steady my racing pulse. I grip the strap of my bag tighter and then I force myself to walk forward across the pavement and slip into his car.