I smiled. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of a smart-ass?”
“Not today.”
I laughed and dragged the ladder over to where he was standing, right underneath a skylight. “After you.” I gestured when it was in place. “It should be unlocked.” I waited for him to disappear through the skylight before climbing up myself.
The MAC’s roof was the best view on campus. The field house was set close to the woods, so all the illuminated buildings and streetlights were specks in the distance, letting the night sky shine for all it was worth. “Wow,” Luke breathed. “This is incredible.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” I agreed, pulling off my quarter-zip to use as a pillow before stretching out in a good stargazing position. Part of me wished Nick were here to point out Hercules and Cassiopeia and Orion. Maybe Luke would pay closer attention than I did. But then again, Nick had no idea about my rooftop visits, and neither did anyone else. And I liked it that way. This place was an escape—people could always find me in my room, but they could never find me here.
Luke dropped down next to me. “But not as cool as that giant orgy on the turf.”
“So theydiddo it.” I smirked. I wasn’t the only one with secret keys and combinations. I’d never witnessed it, but from what Sage said, all hell broke loose. (“There’s screaming, squealing, running, andsomany bare-naked butts!” she’d told me.)
He laughed. “I’m guessing you and Flamingo weren’t there?”
“Stop it.” I knocked his foot with mine. “It’sDove.”
“Like the chocolate? Or the soap?”
I snapped my fingers. “You know, I actually haven’t asked.”
Luke laughed again, and I did too. “How did you even find out how to get up here?” he asked a minute later, when we’d pulled ourselves together, our breathing in tune again.
“Family friend.” I turned my head so I could look at him, and a chill ran up my spine when I did—he was already looking at me. I swallowed hard. “Leni Hardcastle.”
“Same…?”
“Yes, same Hardcastle.”
He nodded. “Okay, proceed.”
“She graduated with Kitsey,” I continued. “And apparently sheused toreallyget around when she was here, which she loves to talk about after a couple vodka tonics.”
“What’s the story behind this place?” Luke asked. “Did she lose her virginity up here or something?”
I opened my mouth, then shut it.
He groaned. “My research did not prepare me for this!”
“So youdidread the handbook!” I joked.
Luke shook his head. “How many girls have you brought here?”
In response, I literally froze, unable to say or do anything.
And he could tell. “Oh crap, I’m sorry. That was…”
“No, don’t worry about it.” I hoped my voice was calm. “It’s fine. I’ve actually”—I bit the inside of my cheek—“never brought anyone up here before.”
Then it was silent.
For what felt like three hours.
I couldn’t handle it.
“So my ex-girlfriend really seems to like you,” I said.
“Your ex-girlfriend?” Luke asked, confused. I could feel him looking at me again, but I refused to make eye contact, instead focusing on the collection of the stars above us. Was that Aquila or Cepheus?
