Page 3 of Ice Me Out

I snorted. “You’d think.”

“I don’t want to talk shit about your dad, but damn, he literally said, eff them kids.”

“Don’t remind me,” I mumbled as I attempted to ignore the Washington Warriors game that played on the 60-inch above our heads.

“Bitch, if you stare at that man any harder, he’ll break the fourth wall and give you that dick down you’re clearly begging for.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That man is not my type. I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, but he looks like an asshole.”

“There is nothing wrong with that. All of my best lovers were assholes.”

I rolled my eyes once #14 got into a yelling and shoving match with his opponent. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Did you contact the Payment Services Department to see if they were willing to give you an extension or let you sign up for a payment plan?”

“I did. I have to come in for an appointment to discuss it, but I need to pay at least half of the semester’s tuition upfront. I don’t know how the hell I’ll do that without pawning off some shit. Thank God my scholarship covered my rent, or I’d be on the streets,” I complained.

Monica sighed. “Vera, you’re an angel because if my dad did what yours did to me? I’d go through his house taking shit left and right like Swiper.”

“Swiper, no swiping!” we drunkenly squealed, bumping shoulders.

“Hell yeah. I’d take the silverware, vases, cuff links, you name it—that big, fancy rug he has in front of the fireplace? Gone! I can’t believe he bought that woman some titties. He’ll feel real stupid when she leaves him and puts that new body to good use on someone else.”

“Mm,” I hummed as she flagged down the bartender for another round of shots. I used her distraction to steal another peek at the TV screen. Hart Myers sat in the penalty box with a sourpuss expression on his face.

“I have a little bit in savings. I can spot you.”

I managed a weak smile for my best friend. She was the true definition of a ride-or-die, and I was lucky to have her in my corner. Monica was one of those larger-than-life types of people who could only be handled in small doses unless you truly knew her. She didn’t care what anyone thought of her, and her confidence was always on ten. I didn’t think we’d make it as roommates freshman year. She had convinced me to go to a frat party with her the first night, and I woke up the next morning in the bushes outside our dormitory. I’d never had a Four Loko before and hadn’t expected two to put me on my ass like that.

Never again.

But I was happy to report I took personal accountability, gave her another chance, and we’d been besties ever since.

“Thanks for offering, but I’ll find a way,” I said, finally slurring my words. I plugged my fingers in my ears when a nearby table of die-hard Warriors fans whooped and hollered from a scored goal.

“Can they be any more obnoxious?” Monica complained, mean-mugging one of the guys who caught her attention. I’d bet the last of my savings that he would be leaving our apartment around 7:00 in the morning—freshly fucked and a warning not to ask for her number.

I’m not mad at her. It has been a while since I’ve gotten some.

“Have you called—”

“No, I haven’t called any family. You know I can’t do that.”

“Okay. Have you considered selling feet pictures or becoming a sugar baby?”

Her unexpected question sobered me up quicker than a knife fight in a phone booth. “No, I haven’t.”

“I heard about this sugar baby app called Sugar Rush, and apparently, the girlies love it.”

“Who are your sources?” I questioned suspiciously.

“I overheard some girl in my chem lab talking about it. She said it was quick, easy money. Allegedly, she went on one date and made two grand.”

“I don’t know if I could do that. It’s basically prostitution.”

“Sugaring isn’t always about fucking, Vera. Some of these men are lonely, and they’re looking for a beautiful, intelligent woman to make them feel like they’re sitting on top of the world. You’d be amazed what men would pay to have their ego stroked a little—no pun intended.”

“I don’t know,” I replied warily, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth.