“Why?” Alek says.
“Because the host of the party is Tia’s dream husband from her vision board.”
I send Abi an evil look. I turn and find Victor at the kitchen entrance—his dull eyes are glued to me, giving me a sullen look.
“You two can’t go to the party by yourself. Especially with a crazy stalker lurking around. It’s not safe. If Victor goes with you, I’ll feel better,” Alek’s voice comes from the phone.
Victor presses his lips together and walks up to us. There’s a flush in his cheeks while his jaw muscles twitch.
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, babe,” Abi says and disconnects the call.
Sneaky girl. She must have known Victor was upstairs.
“You’re not going to the party,” Victor says and presses his lips together as if this is the end of the conversation.
I kissed those soft lips the last time he dropped me off at class.
“Why?” I wish he hadn’t heard about Carter. “I want to go so that I feel like a normal college student and make friends.”
“Because I’m leaving now.”
Right. It’s Thursday night. And he’s going… somewhere.
Hot flashes run up and down my spine. “So you can go out and have fun, but we can’t.”
Of course he wouldn’t change his plans to go to a party with me. Because he doesn’t feel the same way I feel about him.
Victor stomps to the front door. I run after him.
Blood rushes to my head. I’m getting a headache.
“You don’t know anything, Tia. Don’t push it.”
He opens the door and steps outside. Before he shuts it behind him, I lock eyes with him, and there’s only pain reflecting there.
My pulse picks up.
He’s going to drink again. He can’t control it. And he’ll probably hook up with some random girl because he’s not dating and because he’s not hooking up with the girls from school.
This is not true, Tia. But the drinking part is. I swallow the painful knot in my throat.
After Victor is out of sight, Abi apologizes—she’s not comfortable going out without one of the guys.
I sigh. I get it, but I was looking forward to the party. To meeting new people.
“Can I make it up to you with a manicure, hot tea, and reruns ofFriendsepisodes?”
“And a pedicure.”
She smiles and we go back to our apartment. We make it a girls’ night in and although I enjoy Abi’s company, I can’t help but think about Victor’s words.You don’t know anything, Tia.Would Victor have told me where he goes every Thursday if Abi hadn’t mentioned Carter?
* * *
The next day Carter texts me a sad emoji face first thing in the morning.
Carter: I wish you made it last night.
Me: Me too. But didn’t feel well.
