"I can't wait to see it!"she says excitedly.
I force a smile.I don'tremember inviting her to see it.I may have forgiven her, but I'mrealizing that once we graduate our family connection will likelybe all that's left of our friendship.And that's just fine withme.
Rory downs her crèmebrulee dessert and I try not to find it erotic as hell as she moansin pleasure as she licks the creamy custard off the spoon.The girlis completely unaware of what she's doing to me.Fuckingtorture.
In lieu of having to findnon-existent parking in the meatpacking district, and pay forparking twice, we all pile into cabs to head downtown with plans todo the same to get back to our cars later.
Thanks once again to UncleKelly, we skip the line and are walked right into the club,straight to the two tables reserved on our behalf—again withouthaving to show ID.
Everyone seems to beenjoying themselves, dancing, or talking—well, screamingreally—over the music.I keep an eye on Rory, but try not to hover.But I do catch her eyes on me quite a bit, and boy is itgratifying.True to her word, she doesn't drink, even though sheisn't driving.I sit at our table and sip my soda, watchingeveryone have a good time.In truth, I'm having a good timemyself.
Chelsea sits by me,texting mostly, until she squeals excitedly and jumps from herseat.I eye her inquisitively and watch her fix her face back intocomposure.
"My roommate's outside,"she explains."Can you come with me to get her in?"
"Just tell her to give myname, they'll walk her right in," I remind Chelsea, who poutsannoyingly.
"Come on, Cap.She'snervous.She's not from New York, she's from some littlemiddle-of-nowhere town.And I don't want to go outside by myself."She exaggerates her pout."Please?Anyway I want you to meet herand it's loud as hell in here."
I roll my eyes andacquiesce.It's just easier, and it's not like I'm doing anythinghere anyway other than watching Rory dance with the girls.I waitto make eye contact with Dave, and he gives me a subtle nod.He'lllook out for her while I'm gone.It's our deal.After Miami, Davewas pretty shaken by Rory's assault too.We had a little talk, andhe promised to help me keep an eye on her, especially since they gosmoke outside at parties.He swore to me that he'd never let her goby herself, and as far as I know, he hasn't.
Chelsea grabs my hand, herfake nails scratching the back of mine as she pulls me toward theexit.We make our way through the dense crowd, around sweatydancing bodies, and I'm actually grateful for the fresh air once weget outside.
The bouncer opens the ropefor us and I tell him we're just meeting a friend and we're comingright back in.Chelsea checks her phone.
"She's pulling up anysecond," she tells me.
"I thought you said shewas here…"
"She's around the freakingblock, Cap.Relax.She's only been to New York like once before.She's really excited, but nervous.I wanted you to meet her anyway,she's really pretty."
"I thought this was yourfirst time meeting her?"I ask.
"Well, yeah, but I've seenher photos on Instagram and Facebook.Anyway we've talked so muchin the past month I feel like I've known her forever.We have a lotin common."
I nod, barely evenbothering to feign interest.
"You probably do too,actually."
"Hm."I'm getting theunwelcome sense that Chelsea's trying to set me up with this girlshe's never actually met, and I'm confused by it considering it wasjust a couple of months ago that she was attacking Rory because ofher own crush.Nothing Chelsea does seems to make any damn senseanymore.
"You actually have afriend in common."
"Hm."Where the fuck isthis girl?I just want to go back inside and get back to thefriends whose company I actually enjoy.
"There she is!"Chelseashrieks excitedly, and titters on her five inch heels around me towhere a short, blond girl has just climbed out of a cab.
They embrace and I'minstantly on edge."Hey girl!"Chelsea exclaims."This is Cap, theguy I was telling you about."But her tone is pointed, not casual,and I'm suddenly aware this is not the setup I thought itwas.
It's far worse.
Because even beforeChelsea introduces her to me, I know her name.Know exactly who sheis.I don't have to have ever seen her before to recognize thefamilial resemblance to features that have haunted my fuckingnightmares.
I automatically step backfrom them, half in shock.
"This is my roommate,Lacey," Chelsea says excitedly as if everything is normal.As ifshe didn't seek out Rory's fucking enemy—her fucking rapist's sisterandpersonal harasser—to be her fuckingcollege roommate.
"Are you fucking crazy?"My voice is too low, I'm still utterly stunned.
