Alyssa
In the morning, everything aches. I wince in pain as I roll over and ease my body into sitting up.
Fuck, this is horrible…
I lose a breath as I stand up and walk to the door. I reach out and notice the brace on my wrist and the events of the night before come rushing back. Asher and Cameron. I need to talk to both of them before I lose both of them.
Oh jeez…
I open the door with my other hand, and walk down the hall to the main room. From the looks of things, Lucca is making breakfast, or trying to, but Cameron is standing in the way of the fridge inspecting a premade protein shake.
“Is there bacon?” I ask, by way of announcing myself. Lucca looks at me incredulously.
“There would be, if this lump would get out of my way.” He says, waving a spatula at Cameron.
“I’ll take him away for you.”
Cameron looks from the bottle to me, his expression carefully blank. I tilt my head back towards my room and he shuts the fridge door.
“Finally!” Lucca exclaims. “Extra bacon for you, girlie.” he calls as I head back to my room, hoping Cameron is following.
“What’s up?” He asks, when I turn to see if he’s there.
“‘What’s up?’ Are you serious right now?” I ask, trying to stay in control of my voice. “Did you tell Asher I was fighting last night? Is that why he was there?”
“I didn’t tell him shit, but while we’re on the subject, why didn’tyoutell him? Probably a bad idea to be lying to a guy you’re meant to be dating when you have similar interests…”
“I didn’t—”
“You told him we were having a movie night!”
“I—”
“You can’t hide this from him. He cares about you, Aly.”
I want to scream. They both left me last night, and I understand why. I lied to Asher, I made Cam complicit in it. And they were both disappointed in me. Realistically, I know I can’t hide this huge part of my life. I need to own up to it to Asher.
“I’m sorry Cam, I am, I just didn’t know how to tell him. What if it scares him away?” I ask.
Cameron outright laughs at me then. “‘Scares him away’? His brother’s a better fighter than I am, he knows what this life is like. You should know that by now.”
I nod, feeling more than a bit stupid. “I should have trusted him.”
“You should have,” Cameron agrees.
“I need to go to the frat house… He’ll be there, won’t he?”
“You need to get dressed first — you can’t turn up in your pyjamas.”
I nod again. “You’re full of good ideas today, Cam.” He just smiles and makes to leave. “Don’t eat my bacon sandwich!” I call after him as my door closes.
Right. Clothes. I want to look good, but not like I’m trying too hard.
I opt for a navy denim miniskirt and a black vest top. I forgo stockings or tights because it’s already too hot this summer. I pull on a pair of black low tops and look myself over in the mirror. That’ll do.
The drive to the frat house that Asher lives in is short, and I’m glad that I can remember the way. I kill the engine and get out of my car. The house looks empty, it seems like all the lights are off.
Maybe he’s not here…
