My eyes go to Julia, but she’s not looking at me. She stares straight ahead like she didn’t hear it.
Drew, on the other hand, glances over his shoulder in our direction—Finn’s, Scottie’s, and mine—and grins at us like he won a fucking cruise as he wraps his arm around Julia’s shoulders.
Scottie leans over to Finn, whispering something that I don’t bother trying to overhear. Surely she’s wondering if this is going to be a problem.
Which, it already is.Trust me, it’s a huge fucking problem.
“Professor,” I say, raising my hand. “I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf, so I’m sure you can understand why I’m going to go ahead and do this group project solo.”
“Ace Kelly? A lone wolf?” Professor Dudley laughs. “Very funny. Before you even arrived in my class this semester, other professors referred to you as the mayor of Dickson U. Most would say group projects are where you thrive.”
“I’m trying something new,” I retort. “It’s always good to switch it up, you know?”
“It’s a group project, Ace. End of discussion.” His smile is smug. “And this is important. It’s my job to prepare you for the real world, where you’ll have to collaborate with other people.”
Tell that to my fucking blood pressure. With the way my heart is pounding so goddamn hard beneath my ribs, I might end up being the only healthy nineteen-year-old who keels over from a heart attack.
Dudley hands out the assignment sheet and gives us time to group up and discuss scheduling. I drag my chair over, reluctantly, while Drew’s arm snakes around Julia’s shoulder again like he has a fucking claim on her. At this point, I feel like this fucker is doing it on purpose.
But I force myself to focus on neutral ground, safe territory like Finn and Scottie. But with the way Finn is eyeing me with concern, I eventually have to avert my eyes from him and fixate on a random crack in one of the ceiling tiles.
“So…you guys want to meet at our place?” Scottie jumps in first. “We’ve got the space.”
“Our place? Really, Scottie?” Finn groans, but Scottie playfully slaps him on the shoulder.
“Yes, Finn. Our place. And don’t be so grumpy about it.”
He smiles at her like a man in fucking love, because he is. Though, he’s a man in love who gets to be with the woman he loves, so I guess that makes it pretty goddamn easy to be happy all the fucking time.
“Appreciate the hospitality, Finn,” Drew says. “Though, maybe next year, Julia and I will be able to offer our apartment up for group projects and let you guys off the hook.”
I’m sorry,what?Did that motherfucker just saytheirapartment?
“Yourapartment?” Scottie chokes. “You guys are going to live together?”
“No, no, no,” Julia blurts out with a fast tongue. “We’re not living together.”
“I was just messing, babe.” Drew laughs like it’s a joke. “I guess it was a little wishful thinking on my part. At least, for now.”
For now,he says.
For now?!
I feel my pulse in my teeth.
Julia is staring at the table now. She’s avoiding everyone’s eyes, especially mine. And every cell in my body wants to throw a chair through a window.
Finn elbows me, but it’s subtle. I think it’s supposed to meanchill, but it confirms that he can see me unraveling.
Julia still won’t look at me.
The rest of the group chat is a blur. I say nothing. Just nod at the time we agree on to meet at Finn and Scottie’s place late next week.
And I bolt out of the lecture hall the second Dudley dismisses us.
In the hallway, I have to pause for a brief moment to suck inair like it might help.Julia and Drew…moving in together?It’s either the biggest joke of the century or the universe has started to plan my funeral.
It’s not like she’s had serious boyfriends before. Not really. Not like this. And she’s planning a future with this guy? The one who wears loafers to fucking parties and saysepicunironically?
