Ex-Factor (Diamond Girls) by Elisa Dane Page B

enough you two,” I said, stepping between Claire and Erin. I glanced toward Tayla, then nodded toward the small cluster of freshman girls crowded in front of the other sink and mirror, hoping she’d take the hint and clear them out.
    With a roll of her eyes and a scowl, she ushered the jabbering group of girls from the room, ignoring their high-pitched and whiny protests. “I’ll try to keep people out as long as I can, but try to be quick,” she hollered before stepping through the door and closing it behind her.
    I grasped Erin by the shoulders and spun her around to face me. “Hey,” I said, searching her eyes. “Have you thought this plan through? I mean, really thought about it? Because with sex, there’s no going back. Once your virginity is gone, it’s gone forever. No take backs. No do overs.”
    “Exactly,” Claire piped in. “Do you really want your first time to be with the biggest man whore in school?”
    “Oh, my God, Claire,” Erin shouted. “Enough! Things are different now. Eli’s different. He’s through with trolling for tail and wants to settle. He said he’s been looking for ‘the one’ and he thinks I may be it for him.”
    My stomach rolled as I thought back to my conversation with Eli before the game earlier. He’d straight up told me he’d been looking for “the one” while flirting with me. The creep was totally lying to her in a pitiful attempt to get her to sleep with him. Dog!
    Claire slapped her forehead with a groan then gripped the side of the shiny porcelain sink alongside us, only to push off of it in apparent anger seconds later. “Oh, my dear God!” She raised her hands above her head and shook them about wildly. “And you believe his bullshit?” She shook her head and glanced down at the slate-gray flooring before eyeing Erin with concern. “I can’t do this. I can’t. I’ve kept my mouth closed where Eli is concerned out of respect for our friendship, but enough is enough. I can’t keep quiet any longer.”
    She stormed over to the exit and turned to face us, hand gripping the door handle. “You’re gonna be pissed at me for saying this, but I don’t care. Eli is a total douche, and sleeping with that creep will be the biggest mistake you’ll ever make. Seriously, Erin. If you go there with him, you will regret it.” With a sigh and a scowl, she tugged open the door and disappeared into the horde of pissy teenage girls who’d been impatiently waiting to get into the bathroom.
    “Hey!” one girl called out over her shoulder. “There’s no flood in here. What the hell?”
    In no hurry to share my thoughts with anyone but Erin, I grabbed her by the wrist and led her out of the bustling restroom, grabbing a handful of brown paper towels on the way out. The rough towels tended to chafe and reminded me of brown paper bags, but would serve to soak up the spattering of tears currently running down her face.
    I’d no clue where Tayla or Claire had gone, and had only a vague recollection of the layout of the gym. Careful to keep to the shadows so no one would see Erin upset and crying, I led my friend out a set of double doors into a dark, empty hallway.
    “Here.” I handed her the paper towels.
    Sniffling, she took the industrial tissue and dabbed at her cheeks. “I don’t understand why Claire is so mad at me. I just…”
    “Claire’s just trying to be a friend,” I said, taking a seat against the wall. The tile floor felt cool against my legs. The loud music from the gym pounded a steady, muffled beat through the nearby doors. “She’s trying to look out for you.”
    “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” Erin slid down the wall and sat beside me, expression grim. “I don’t know what to do, Nev.” She sniffled. “I think…” She shook her head. “No. I know I love him. And I know he has feelings for me.” She turned her body toward me, the weight of her stare a heavy burden on my already tired shoulders. “I’m scared