a new hire at the shop straight from Ireland. I’ve picked up a few things from him.”
“That explains it. What did he have to say about your green hair? I bet he dug it, huh?”
Fred quirks a brow. “Why? Because he’s Irish? Gee, Charlie, that was weak. You’re losing your mojo. That doesn’t have anything to do with a certain jock you were spotted sucking face with earlier, does it?”
I stop in my tracks. “What? Where did you hear that?”
“Through the grapevine. You’re trending on Twitter. Someone shot a video. Wanna see?”
“No, I don’t want to see.”
I turn around and continue toward the office. My face is in flames now. Curse Troy for kissing me like that in public.
“So, you and Troy, huh? When did that happen? I thought you hated his guts.”
“I never hated his guts. I had an intense dislike for the guy.”
“You have clearly moved on from that.” He chuckles.
“Clearly.”
The newspaper office finally looms closer. I was hoping Fred would just go on his way and leave me alone, but the pest follows me in. I should have known. He’s a dog with a bone and he won’t stop teasing me until something else catches his attention.
Blake is already at his desk, typing away with determination, but he stops to glance at us. I can’t tell if he knows about my faux pas or not. He’s pretty good at keeping his expression guarded.
“Are you two dating now?” Fred asks loudly in front of him.
Great.
“Who is Charlie dating?” Blake asks.
I groan, rolling my eyes as I take my seat. “Why are you two being such busybodies today?”
“If you didn’t want anyone butting in your business, you should have kept your affairs private,” Fred retorts with a smirk.
The last thing I want is to tell Blake I’m dating Troy, but keeping it secret will be impossible considering the biggest gossiper in our group already knows. Besides, if it’s on Twitter, it’s only a matter of time until Blake stumbles across that.
I open my mouth to give him the news when Angelica comes into the office and blurts, “You’re dating Troy Alexander?” Her voice is high-pitched, and she has manic eyes, like a small dog that just spotted a ball.
I rest my head in my hand, sighing loudly. “Fantastic.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Blake asks her.
“Oh my God. What kind of newspaper editor are you? Charlie’s make-out session with Troy in front of the cafeteria building is trending like crazy on Twitter.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” he replies.
I glance at him. “It’s true. Troy and I are together.”
Blake’s eyebrows shoot to the heavens. “Since when?”
“Since this weekend.”
“But he’s an asshole. You hate him.”
“Why do you guys keep saying I hate him? That’s not true. I had a deep dislike for him. It’s different.”
“Not really,” Fred pipes up. “But what made you change your mind?”
“Several things. I don’t want to get into it now.”
Blake shakes his head, then returns to his computer screen. “I could tell you that dating Troy is a big mistake, but you’re a smart woman. You know that already.”
His snide remark does what he intended. It pisses me off. Not because he thinks I’m making a mistake, but because he knows I do believe that. That’s what happens when your friend knows you inside and out.
“Why is she making a mistake?” Angelica asks. “Troy is hot as hell. Any girl on campus would die to go out with him.”
“And yet he’s a senior and has never dated anyone,” Blake points out.
“Are you implying he’s a player? If so, you’re dead wrong. That’s his best friend, Andreas Rossi,” Angelica replies.
“Oh yeah, that Neanderthal who almost punched Fred for just talking to Troy’s sister. You can tell a lot about a person simply by the company they keep.”
For fuck’s sake. I’m done with Blake’s bad attitude. “Really? So what does that say about me? Because you’re being a real jerk right now,” I snap.
“He must be jealous,” Angelica chimes in.
“Oh, that’s not it,” Blake refutes.
“Ignore him, Charlie.” Fred sits on the edge of my desk. “I don’t think Troy is that bad. He was pretty friendly at game night. His hothead friend was the one who kind of ruined the evening.”
I nod. “Yeah, Andreas can be a prick. Speaking of which, I need your help with putting him in his place.”
His eyes widen. “Oh? I’m all ears.”
“I was wondering if I could get a custom prop from you.”
“You mean a freebie?” He smirks knowingly.
I’ve hit him up