“I hate everyone in my life.” I sigh, drinking. “Mitchell and I are nothing.”
“Hey, Mistyyyyy,” a familiar male voice says. I look over in time to see Kian from . . . one of the classes I had last semester though I’m not sure which. I only remember his name because he introduced himself to me on three different occasions.
“Hey, Kian.” I smile. “How are you?”
“Doing well. I heard you’re working with traitors.”
“Oh God. Here we go.” I laugh because the rivalry never ceases to amaze me. “Where did you hear that?”
“Oh, you know. Word travels.” He winks. I smile, but stop when my phone buzzes in my crossbody.
“Sorry, this is probably my sister.” I pull out my phone with my free hand as Soleil and Kian start talking. I frown when I see that it’s a text from Mitchell.
Mitch: He’s lame.
My head snaps up. I look around the room and find Mitchell standing directly on the other side of the house, by the kitchen, leaning against the wall as women flank him and his friends. My heart stutters. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. In an effort not to focus on his face, I look down at his shirt. My mouth falls open and I go back to my phone.
Me: You wore a UNC shirt to a Duke party!?!?!?!?!?!
Mitch: Lol yup.
Me: Wow.
I look back up at him, shaking my head. He’s staring at me, but still typing. My phone buzzes a second later.
Mitch: Lose the guy, come get with me.
My heart comes full stop. And then starts again. I focus on breathing and my response and realize I have no response. After another second, I look up at him and start typing on my phone.
Me: You’re the one with a gaggle of girls.
Mitch: None of them are you tho.
Me: You seriously need to give up flirting with me.
Mitch: Why would I when you’re so close to falling?
I laugh so loud I wouldn’t be surprised if he can hear me over the music and talking.
Me: Dream on.
This time, I put my phone in my bag. I chance one more glance in his direction and catch his eyes once more before one of the women next to him throws her arms around his neck and beckons his attention. I’d be lying if I said the sight of it didn’t bother me, but I looked away and continued talking to Soleil and Kian anyway. Later, Soleil goes to the bathroom and I walk over to where the drinks are and find Archer there.
“Hey.” He smiles at me and looks around.
“She’s in the bathroom.”
His shoulders drop slightly and he exhales like he’s relieved.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just. I don’t know where we stand right now.” He takes a sip of his newly open beer. “Did she say anything to you?”
“About what?”
“I think I messed things up.”
“How?” I frown, then turn to the table and grab another seltzer, opening it and taking a sip. “She seems like she likes you.”
“I kind of assumed she was inviting me in when I dropped her off the other day, so I made to walk inside and she stopped me. I don’t know. Maybe I’m reading into it because I’m so embarrassed for even thinking that.” His light eyebrows pull in, making him look like a Precious Moments doll.
“Arch.” I touch his arm. “I bet you didn’t mess up at all. She’s looking forward to seeing you tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” I raise my eyebrows. “Would I lie to my boss?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know about your boss, but I hope you wouldn’t lie to a friend.”
“That too.” I smile.
“Austin told me you two decided to remain friends.”
“Yep.” I drop my hand from his arm and continue drinking. “I tried.”
“Did you though?” He raises an eyebrow. “I know you’re working with your ex.”
“This has nothing to do with him.”
“If you say so.” He shrugs a shoulder. My phone buzzes in my purse again. I get it quickly in case it’s Soleil. It’s not.
Mitch: I don’t like him.
I roll my eyes, not even bothering to look around for him this time.
Me: I didn’t ask.
Mitch: He’s not your type.
Me: Let me guess, you are.
Mitch: Stop rolling your eyes.
Me: Stop texting me. Go have fun with that blonde who clearly wants to fuck you. Don’t forget, I know you. Once you get what you have, you disregard it without a second thought.
I turn off my phone and put it away again.
“You okay?” Archer asks. “You seem pissed.”
“I’m fine.” I smile wide even though I’m not feeling it. “Never better.”
And then I proceed to drink until I feel it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Past
We were standing on a rooftop, drinking water with lime, not because I was opposed to underage drinking, but because the Cruz brothers were sticklers about it. They didn’t drink, smoke, or have sugar. Their workouts were rigorous and their diets were immaculate, tailored to each one of their bodies and sports. I always knew that, of course, hearing my parents talk about it in passing, but it wasn’t until I got here that I realized just how true it was. Where I had cheat days, and a lot of them at that. They only allowed themselves one cheat meal a week. They weren’t even peer pressured by their friends, who were all drinking, smoking, and doing other things at this party. In fact, their friends hadn’t even offered me anything since they knew I was with them. It was a level of respect I hadn’t seen in kids our age, but I liked it.