“Regan, I’m excited you’re here.”
“Regan. I’m excited you’re here. What’s wrong?”
I’ve been texting her since she took something I said wrong, and after rereading the message, I can see how she would take it the way that she did. I’ve tried to get her to talk to me, but she’s been icing me out.
She picks at her nails. She only fidgets when she’s nervous. Shit, this isn’t good. But at least she’s finally talking to me. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed our conversations until they weren’t there. Until she wasn’t there. What does that say about us? About what this could become for us?
“Dean, we need to talk.” Oh, god, the worst phrase anyone could hear from someone that they’ve come to care for.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to go to the gala together, or continue sleeping together,” she says, her hazel eyes serious. I walk around to her side of the counter and sit on the stool next to her.
“As I said in my texts, I’m sorry about what I said. It was careless and I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I really want to go to the gala with you,” I confess, reaching to take her hand, but she pulls away from me before I can reach her.
“It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have agreed to it. We can’t show up to an event like that together. We are on opposite sides and shall remain as such.”
I’m in shock, but anger takes over, burning deep in my belly, singing the wings of the butterflies that once resided there. “What are you afraid of, Regan?” I snap, my tone sharp.
“I’m not afraid,” she protests. “It’s a bad idea to continue doing whatever it is we’re doing.”
“You didn’t think so back in Richmond. You seemed like you were pretty into it then,” I say, rage boiling over.
“That shouldn’t have happened. We shouldn’t happen.”
“Fine. Rivals only, then,” I say, crossing my arms across my chest.
“Fine,” she agrees, sliding off the stool and storming out of the diner.
What the fuck just happened?
Me
I’m coming over
Actually I’m in your driveway. Let me in
Chase
Ok, ok. The door is open
I walk inside Chase's place. The last time I was here was at his party after he won the Charlotte race, and I’d almost kissed Regan. I smile briefly at the memory, and then I remember why I’m here in the first place.
My head is so screwed up. I’ve been in a downward spiral since she left The Meadows Diner earlier today. I’m still angry that she just came in swinging and dropped me like a hot potato, but can I blame her? That text was ominous, and I did suggest that all I wanted was sex from her. She just wouldn’t fucking listen and my anger took over, letting her leave without me giving her a better explanation. That I want more from her, that she’s not just a grid girl or whatever she thinks this is.
Chase is playing Call of Duty on the couch in the living room when I walk in. I sit next to him on the worn green couch as he’s still in the middle of a game. He glances over at me and back to the game before telling his team that he needs to leave, and turns off the game and removes his headset.
“Bro, why does it look like someone pissed in your Cheerios?”
“More like someone kicked me in the balls over and over again,” I reply.
“This sounds like it may need alcohol.” Chase leaves and pads into his kitchen, grabbing a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He sits back down and pours some for both of us.
“Is anyone else here?” I ask. I don’t want his roommates to hear what I’m about to say.
“No. It’s just me. Everyone else is out.” I ignore the fact that Chase is here alone instead of out with his roommates like usual.
“Good. Because what I’m about to tell you, you can’t tell a fucking soul.”
“I promise I won’t tell a soul. But you’re freaking me out a little bit.”
