I frowned. “Are you going through my things?”
“Of course not. It was sitting on the desk.” There was no judgment in his tone or expression. Not that I would expect any from a guy like him. One who enjoyed substances.
“I hurt my back at work a while ago. I got some painkillers from the doctor. When they ran out, I got a few more from someone else. It’s nothing.” I wasn’t sure why I expected a fellow drug user to believe me. Maybe saying it out loud to someone like Auryn would be helpful in some way.
He stared at the empty pill bottle for a minute before setting it down on the night table beside the bed. “Be careful who you’re trusting to supply you. It’s dangerous out there.”
Leaving it at that, Auryn rose from the bed, following me down the hall back to the door. The sound of water running in the bathroom ensured that Athena wouldn’t make an appearance. We stood awkwardly near the door for a moment before Auryn pulled it open and stepped into the hall.
“I’ll see you tomorrow on campus. Have a good night, doll.”
I watched him disappear down the hall before closing the door and locking it. A twinge of disappointment bit at my insides. Had I been expecting him to kiss me goodbye? It’s not like we were involved in a serious romance here. I got the feeling that he’d been considering it.
Trying to redirect my thoughts away from Auryn, I went to the kitchen and stared into the fridge. I needed to find something for supper. Even as I went through the motions of making mushroom stroganoff on rice, I couldn’t stop replaying that moment when I found Auryn standing in the lobby waiting for me.
Why me? Sure, we had an arrangement of sorts, but he could get his kicks anywhere with anyone.
I knew that if I overthought it, I would drive myself crazy. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if getting rid of Jamie would come at a price I couldn’t pay.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
AURYN
By the time Friday rolled around, the entire campus was buzzing. The university’s hockey team had made it into the playoffs. Everyone was psyched. Tonight after their game, there would be a huge party to celebrate. Definitely an event worth attending.
“I have to work tonight.” Ripley’s face dropped. She absently stirred a yogurt cup with a plastic spoon. I hadn’t even seen her take a bite.
“Call in sick,” Athena suggested. “You never do that. Several of your coworkers do it all the time. I’d say it’s your turn.”
“Agreed. You have to come out with us tonight. Not just to the party. We have tickets to the game. Stray, Codie, and me. We have one extra for you.” I joined in on the peer pressure, not at all feeling bad for encouraging Ripley to take a night off. Between school and her job, she was clearly overworked.
Codie leaned across the picnic table, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Some might even call it a double date. You should come, girl. It won’t be the same without you.”
I sat at the table with Ripley, her girlfriends, and Stray. They often gathered between classes to share lunch together.Sometimes the other guys joined them. I’d been joining them as well lately.
With a roll of her eyes, Ripley said, “You guys aren’t making it easy to be responsible.”
“Screw responsible. We’re almost finished school. We’ll have all the time in the world to be responsible then. Let’s enjoy our youth while we have it.” Athena had no qualms about being a bad influence. She nibbled a carrot stick, flashing Ripley an impish grin.
Ripley’s eyes locked on mine. I took the opportunity to wink. I’d spent most of the week making sure she was safe at work. Tonight I wanted her with me.
“All right,” she relented with a smile. “I’ll come to the game and the party tonight. But if my boss finds out and fires me, you guys have to help me find a new job.”
“Fair enough.” I pointed to her yogurt cup. “Now eat something. I haven’t seen you take a single bite of anything yet.”
Ripley shoveled a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth. “Happy?”
“It’s a start. Keep going.” I ignored the pointed look Stray shot me from across the table. There was nothing wrong with making sure Ripley was properly fed. She was going to need the energy later.
Several hours later Stray, Codie, and I were on our way to pick up Ripley for the game. I braced myself, already knowing exactly how this ride would go.
“Look at you going on an actual date,” Codie teased the second we all got in the car. “Have you even been on a date before, Auryn?”
“Guess that depends on your idea of a date.” Doing my best not to encourage her, I stared straight ahead at the road as I drove. Since Stray’s car was a two door, we had taken mine instead.
Stray leaned forward from where he sat in the back seat, slugging me in the shoulder. “I thought you were only Ripley’s pretend boyfriend when Jamie was around. Are you expecting him to be at the game and the party tonight?”
I shrugged. “Hell if I know. Everyone will be there. He’ll probably be there too.”
