As soon as I push the door closed, Story flies into my arms and kisses me. Then she pushes off giggling and starts backing out of the alcove. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. I get off at ten. Meet me at my apartment at ten fifteen?”
“Can’t wait.” I wink.
“Me either.” A shiver of excitement takes hold of her, and she giggles again. “Bye, Cooper.” Rushing up the steps, she turns back and gives me a little wave.
“Bye, babe.” I fall back against the wall again. I don’t know what’s come over me, but it feels good.
Wait . . . I know exactly what has. Story. Somehow, she has managed to make my bad day so much better just from seeing her again. And kissing her. I really like to kiss that woman.
With a plan in place to see her again, I head to my apartment. I need to pack for the holiday break, something I’ve put off until the last minute. I’ve dreaded it since I parted on bad terms at Thanksgiving.
Like me, my dad is stubborn. Guess it’s an inherited trait.
“Cooper?”
Shit.
I keep walking, pretending I don’t hear her. The clack of her heels against the sidewalk gets closer as she continues to call my name. Then she yells, “Cooper?”
I stop.
When I turn back, I say, “Hey, Eliza. What’s up?” I keep it short for my benefit. Hooking up with her on Halloween was a mistake that I repeated two more times before I realized she wasn’t sticking with the friends-with-benefits deal we made. She made. I stupidly fell for her game.
Saran Wrap has nothing on her. She clings like she’s being paid for it. “You didn’t hear me calling your name for like the last fifty yards or so?” she asks.
Dipping a hand in my pocket, I pull out an earbud. “I was wearing these earlier.”
“Oh,” she replies. “What about just now?”
I raise my arms out from my sides. “I’m here.”
She huffs. “Okay, well, I wanted to see if you wanted to get together before we leave town for the holidays.” Eliza’s hot, tight pants look painted on, her thigh high-heeled boots are impractical for the weather and finals week, and a tightly fitted cream-colored sweater sells the package before you even notice her face. Her thick red hair is not fire, but more fading, like my interest in her has. Call me an asshole, but I was looking for a hookup, not a commitment.
Coming closer, she smiles, but it lacks the brightness of Story’s, lacks that something special that comes from within. Maybe it’s sincerity. “I can’t. I need to pack. I’m heading home tomorrow.”
“I could come over tonight and help you.”
My stomach twists like a knife turning in my gut. Slowly, the pain shoots upward. I’m not familiar with guilt, but I think I’m experiencing it for the first time since all I can think about is Story. I take a few shallow breaths, trying to figure out what I’m feeling, but I keep coming up empty on the diagnosis. “No. I’m . . .” This is where I’d usually lie, nothing that could be seen through but probably something Eliza would question and then get mad at me for telling. An image of Story sleeping next to me pops into my head, easing the discomfort I’m feeling. “I’m seeing someone.”
Stunned, she stares at me and starts laughing. “I’m sorry. I thought you just said you’re seeing someone.”
“I did.”
Anger morphs across her face. “You told me you don’t do relationships, and now you’re in one?”
“I don’t. I didn’t. But I met someone.”
A humorless laugh bursts from her throat as she looks around. When her eyes land on me again, she scoffs. “You met someone? Someone other than me who you’ve been ‘meeting’ with on a regular basis.”
“That’s not accurate, Eliza.” Lying, cheating, and stealing aren’t so far off from who I’ve been. Greene just called me out on it and now Eliza. I am who I am with them.
With Story, I get a new start.
“Okay, Cooper. Lie to my face,” she says sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest. Scorn cinches her features together as she shakes her head. “We all know it’s only a matter of time, so don’t call me when you fuck it up.”
“Good to know you think so highly of me.” She knows the truth as well as I do. I’ve seen her on dates with other guys, so I’m not sure why she’s angry. “What exactly was it that you saw in me again?”
“Haywood.” One word.
I’m starting to think that name hinders more than helps me these days.
She spins so fast on her heel that her hair flies over her shoulders, and she walks away without a goodbye. Though she does slap her ass, so I’m thinking it’s a kiss-off instead.
My hand covers my heart. Not because Eliza hurt me in any way, but I just admitted not only to her but to myself that I might be in a relationship with Story.