“It’s just always been him for so long, and I really believed that one day he would wake up and see me, too. See that I’m here.” Her voice trembles, and I don’t know why, but I cover her ankle with my hand. “I could be good for him. I could love him. And we could be something good together.”
The silence begins to stretch between us. The only sounds now are the cicadas buzzing outside. My thumb grazes the bracelets around her ankle, rolling the silver charm once before settling in the small curve just beneath her bone.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” I let the words slip out.
She doesn’t answer right away, and even though I meant it, for a second I wonder if it was too honest.
“I think…” She shifts back onto her side, pulling her legs up with her. “I think I just never considered a world where we didn’t end up together. I’ve probably seen too many movies, or read too many romance books, and somewhere along the way, I’ve convinced myself that it’s just supposed to happen, but…” she trails off, squeezing her eyes shut like she’s trying to shove it all back inside, and there’s an unfamiliar ache in my chest when a lone tear slides over her button nose.
I don’t have the right words to say to her. Hell, I don’t have any words besides‘He’s an asshole’and‘You’re too good for him.’So instead, I look around for an extra blanket. Unfortunately, our house wasn’t exactly styled by Martha Stewart, and other than some still-damp beach towels from earlier hanging on the backs of the chairs, there’s nothing out here.
I stand from the couch, looking down at Chloe, whose eyes have remained closed and her breathing has steadied. A strand of her blonde hair falls across her face, like it’s shielding anyone from seeing the tears she just shed. I want toreach out and tuck it behind her ear, but I leave it. I busy my hands by reaching behind my head and pulling off my sweatshirt. The air-conditioned room feels cool against my bare torso, but before I head back to my room, I drape the fabric over her legs.
5
chloe
“Babysitting tonight?”
I look from Savannah down to the full drink in my hand, swirling the contents of it. I haven’t had a drink since I mixed a small pool’s worth of tequila and vodka then word vomited by heart out to Maverick. Truthfully, I think I would have preferred to actually vomit in front of him. Tonight, though, I thankfully had enough foresight to only pour Sprite in my cup, so I smile as I bring it to my lips.
Savannah lifts one skeptical brow, but doesn’t say anything, and I know I’m likely only getting away with it because Simone and Christina came out with us tonight.
“Simone, go over there and put that poor guy out of his misery,” Savannah whines and we all turn our heads, following her line of sight through the crowded party.
“Brian? No.” She shakes her head, turning so that the man in question can’t see her face. “He’s like a brother to me. It would be too weird.”
“Well, he looks at you like a brother who wants to fuck his sister.”
I choke on my drink and the rest of the girls burst into laughter.
“Okay, on a less insane topic,” Christina says, sliding up beside me. “I’ve been meaning to ask, are you still coaching that girls lacrosse team in the spring?”
“I think it depends on if I get the teacher assistant position or not. It’s a lot of extra hours.”
“So, no—she won’t be because she’s getting that spot,” Savannah pipes up over her shoulder as she pours herself another drink.
“When has that ever stopped her?” Simone smiles. “She’s been doing community service, attending every guest speaking event, joined the student government, practically made a career out of tutoring, all while being a full time student since freshman year.”
“And she volunteers,” Christina adds, pointing a finger in the air.
I make eye contact with Savannah, silently begging her to change the subject because even though I do all those things, I don’t particularly love to be reminded of it.
“She also is an undefeated beer pong champion.” Savannah pushes off the counter and links her arm through mine. “Let’s go see if we can’t make some boys cry.”
“Our favorite pastime,” I murmur.
“We’ll find you girls later,” she calls over her shoulder.
“Preferably when your boyfriend and his hot friends show up!” Simone yells back.
Ever since we’ve legally been able to get into Rowdy’s—and the six illegal months before—university parties have become few and far between. They tend to get messy and out of control, but half of the football team is in one Greek house or another, so the embarrassing truth is I still come out in the hopes of running into Nathan.
“You good?” Savannah leans in unnecessarily because she could have shouted and no one in this room would have heard her.
“Yeah. I just didn’t want to go down the Chloe Cooper-what-can’t-she-do pipeline tonight.”
Savannah nods her head in understanding, and I appreciate that she doesn’t try to make excuses for them.
