Chapter Two
Maisie
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“I can’t believe you convinced her to come,” Lyric says, her gaze falling to Lana, who’s standing in the doorway of the kitchen, laughing at something Charlotte said.
“I can’t believe Kai let you leave the house without him,” I say in lieu of commenting on my roommate and our less-than-ideal situation.
I still haven’t been able to fully wrap my head around the fact that she was Macallan’s girlfriend. That when we hooked up, they were technically together. I feel sick over the whole thing. Sick that I didn’t heed the warning signs. Sick that I unintentionally hurt her in a way I would never want to hurt another person.
What are the odds that out of every junior on campus who didn’t have predetermined roommate selections this semester, I somehow ended up with the one person on campus who hates me, and for good reason. It’s irrelevant that I didn’t know Mac was involved with anyone, let aloneher. At the end of the day, I still wear the face of his betrayal.
Though I do feel like things are better now that we’ve talked it out, a part of me still can’t help but feel like she’s never going to be able to look at me without seeing him and I hate that so much I can’t even begin to put it into words how it makes me feel.
“He probably wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the fact that my brother is here.” She gestures to the tall, blond stud who slides up next to Char, leaning down to kiss the side of her neck.
I audibly sigh.
“Is it bad that I wish that were me?” I ask, watching the two of them together.
“What do you mean?” Lyric raises an eyebrow in question, her hazel eyes bouncing between me and the couple who can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves for more than thirty seconds.
“I mean, look at him.” I gesture to River, who is gorgeous on a bad day. On a good day... Don’t even get me started.
“River?” She chokes, her eyes widening.
“No, I’m not into your brother.” I smile, reassuring her. “But he isfine.” I draw my bottom lip through my teeth in appreciation. “And maybe I’m a little jealous that you and Char are so happy. I mean, I’m happy for you.” I quickly move to explain.
“I get it.” She rests her shoulder against mine. “It’s only a matter of time, you know. Before someone comes along and scoops you up. And when that day comes and that man realizes how incredible you are, he’s never going to let you go.”
“I don’t even know if I want to be in a relationship.” Iblow out a breath. “I mean, I guess the meaningless hookups are starting to lose their luster, but then I think about settling down and I don’t know... It makes me feel restless just thinking about it.”
“Which is why you need a man who loves your adventurous spirit and embraces it rather than trying to tie you down.”
“I don’t think such a man exists.” I give her a small smile.
“I didn’t think men like Kai existed either and now look at me.” She holds up her hand, flashing the beautiful diamond that sits proudly on her finger.
“Kai is rare. I knew that pretty early on.”
“Did you ever...” She swallows hard, contemplating her words. “Have a crush on him?”
“On Kai?” Laughter vibrates my shoulders. “No.” I shake my head. “Definitely not. I mean, I appreciated his good looks—I’m not blind—but because I grew up with him around and always looked at him like a brother, it was impossible to ever see him as anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I see the appeal—again, not blind—but my feelings for him have always been familial.”
“That’s what I always assumed... I guess I just needed to hear you say it.”
“It’s been two years,” I remind her.
“I know.”
“Where is Kai, anyway?” I clear my throat.
“He’ll be here in a little bit. He had a few things he needed to finish for a class.”
“It’s our first week back. He has schoolwork already?”
“He has more assignments this week than I think we get in a whole month.”
