Between Friends (Between the Raindrops #3) Page 5

  “Let’s get out of here and go somewhere we can talk,” Chase yells as he crosses my path.

  “Okay,” I yell back. I’m tired of our little charade.

  We reach the bottom with the rest and Chase announces, “We’re heading out. I have to be to work early at the marina.” He lies so smoothly that no one questions it. It is one of his many talents. He usually used it against me when we were dating. I never knew when to trust him.

  “It was great to meet you, Wes,” says Candice, shaking his hand and then giving him a hug. “I hope we get to see you again.”

  “You should come to the party on Friday at the frat house,” adds Caitlyn.

  “Maybe I will.” Chase winks at Candice.

  “I’ll bring all my brothers,” I say, turning away from the group as I roll my eyes at Chase and head toward the parking lot. There is no way in hell he is going anywhere near Peterson’s party. We make it back to the lot before I realize I drank too much to drive home. I stop by the Beetle and pull my board bag out. Chase sets his board against my car and holds the bag as I stuff my board into it.

  “Why don’t we leave your car here and come back for it later? I don’t think you should drive right now.”

  “You did that on purpose,” I say as I stuff my gear into the back and pull my purse out from under the seat. I slam the door shut. “Where’s your car?”

  He points to the yellow car I’d seen at the coffee shop and says, “We can go to my house so we can talk and I’ll drive you back in a couple of hours.”

  “In your dreams, gaper.” There is no way I’m going to let him take me back to his place when I’m buzzed or ever. Besides, he probably still lives in his parents’ basement. “Let’s go to a restaurant and you can buy me dinner.”

  “Oh? Like a date? How incestuous, Sis,” he says with a laugh.

  “Shut it, now you’re creeping me out.”

  He deactivates the car’s alarm, opens the trunk, and stuffs his board into it—somehow feeding it into the area behind the bucket seats. He closes the trunk and gets into the driver’s seat. “Come on,” he says as he closes his door.

  I open the passenger door and climb in. I want to find out more about what happened to him, but there is no way in hell I am going anywhere with him that isn’t public.

  ***

  The sweet peppery smell fills my nose as the hostess greets us. I didn’t realize I was so hungry. Chase’s hand slides down my back and parks right above my snow pants as we’re guided to a secluded table toward the back. It feels so natural that I’m not going to pull away. We’re seated at a small table and Chase sits across from me. I had slipped out of my coat and left it in the car. I am still warm in my boarding pants over my leggings, but I am not stripping off my pants in front of Chase.

  We order quickly and make small talk until I finally ask, “So what do you do now? You’re clean, but you’re not going to school. Do you have a job?”

  A loud guttural laugh escapes his chest. “No. I work for myself.”

  “Oh, instead of using, you’re selling, huh?” I say it jokingly, but it would explain the car.

  He laughs again. “So little confidence in me, Meg?”

  “Explain your car then. Where did you get it?”

  “I bought it used, paid cash.”

  “So you are dealing?”

  “A friend and I wrote an app. It took off and we sold it. I’m completely clean. The Ferrari was my first purchase. It’s a great app.”

  “What kind of app? Some porn game, I suppose?”

  “You know me so well.” He grins as if he is hiding a secret. I raise my eyebrows and he says, “Actually it was Mad Moronic Monkeys. Have you heard of it?” He knows I have. It’s everywhere. Peterson has a T-shirt with two Mad Moronic Monkeys fighting that says, “Ever have one of those days?” A monkey with a missing arm is hurling through the air while a second monkey stands in the background holding the detached limb.

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “I’ll bet you ten bucks.”

  “Prove it, liar.”

  “If I prove it, you owe me a kiss and not just a peck on the cheek—tongue and spit and all. We could go all Game of Thrones if you want, but all I’m asking for is a kiss.”

  “I’m not going to kiss you, but prove it anyway.” I smile at him knowing there is no way that he wrote that app. I have the app on my phone and I would have known if his name was attached.

  He takes out his phone and flashes me the app. He holds it up as he advances the screen to the credits. “That’s me.” His cocky smile overtakes his face.

  His name is plastered throughout the credits. His and one other are practically the only names listed. I take out my phone, thinking maybe he had a fake one made to impress chicks—nope, mine says the same as his. I guess I’ve never looked at the credits before.

  “You’re a fan. Who knew?” He puts his phone away and his blue eyes meet mine.

  “Wilson is your friend, I take it. How did you meet him?”

  “He and I shared a room at the halfway house. He’s a genius when it comes to coding. I can code, but he can map it all out with lightning speed. I came up with the idea and did the graphics. We developed it when we lived together.”

  This is what he wanted to tell me. He wants me to know he is successful. “I’m so happy for you. That’s amazing,” I say, and I mean it.

  He’s come so far from high school. I remember our last kiss. It wasn’t anything special, but the look on his face when I told him I was leaving gave me strength—so cocky, like he didn’t believe me. I looked into his glassy eyes with his pupils so dilated I could hardly tell his eyes were blue and I knew he would never give up the drugs. I wasn’t worth that kind of sacrifice. My entire last two years of high school were consumed by me making excuses for him to my friends, my family, and his family. I was a total enabler. I wasn’t going to be one anymore. I told myself never again would I let him be a part of my life, but here I am, trying to recapture the chemistry. I’d like to believe he’s changed. Am I being stupid letting him back in my life? I know what my friends would say.

  Run! Quick. Run away!

  Chapter 6

  Megan

  LAST NIGHT, CHASE dropped me off at my car after we ate, and didn’t even try to kiss me. He’d told me what he wanted, and I thought that would be the end of our encounters. We said our goodbyes and didn’t make any more plans to talk or see each other. I felt relieved on the drive home, happy he’s been able to turn his life around, and that I finally had closure with him. I don’t hate him. My body obviously still desires him. I don’t want to desire him and that’s why when I get home from class and I see his car parked outside the rental house, I’m pissed.

  Pissed at him for stalking me.

  Pissed at me for getting into the situation where he could.

  And pissed he’s sitting on the front step, out in the open, where any one of my roommates can spot him.

  “Did anyone see you?” I ask leading him inside.

  “No.” He follows me upstairs to my room.

  I don’t speak again until I close my bedroom door. Alli may already be home and I don’t want her to know Chase and I are in contact with each other, and I definitely don’t want her to know I went snowboarding with him. His visit isn’t going to help me, which isn’t new. He drags chaos wherever he goes.

  “Why are you here?” I don’t ask how he found me. He probably followed me home last night.

  He ignores my question, sits in my desk chair, and spins around to face my bed. “So this is where it all happens. I never pictured you with some frat boy. In high school, you never gave the dumbass jocks the time of day. You’re smarter than that.”

  “Well I’ve changed. Four years is a long time.”

  “Were you here or at the frat house when he was watching you dress?”

  “Why are you here, Chase?” I ask again just in case he thought I was talking to an invisible person the first time. I ready myse
lf for a lengthy story as to why he had to find me. He always had a story when we dated. Usually, it was a lie.

  He reaches into his pockets and pulls out my ski gloves. I must have left them in his car. I didn’t even miss them because I only wear them on the slopes.

  “Thanks.” I toss them on my desk and add, “I appreciate you dropping them off, but I don’t have time to chat. I have a paper due on Monday and my weekend is pretty booked.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you around, then.” He gets up and starts walking toward the door.

  I quickly step in front of him. I need to check the hall and make sure Alli is in her room. “I don’t want anyone to know you’re here. I’ll check the hall and if it’s clear then you can go.”

  “Wouldn’t want the frat boy to find out,” he says with a grin and I don’t correct him. Sure, I don’t want Peterson to know about him, but the bigger problem is my roommates.

  I check the hallway and it’s clear. I can hear music playing from Alli’s room and she wouldn’t leave it playing if she wasn’t in there. “I’m glad you understand. Thanks again for bringing me my gloves.”

  He smiles over his shoulder at me before closing the door. Part of me hates him for showing up in my life again and the other part likes him. If he hadn’t abandoned me four years ago maybe we would still be together. It was him who gave up on me, not the other way around. I know in his mind it was me and in reality, I’m the one who made the cut. I couldn’t get him to give up the drugs and he was dragging me down with him. But, he gave up on me by cheating and continuing to use.

  I wonder if it is too little too late for us? I don’t know how we could be together at this point. My roommates would kill me. And, I still have to worry about Peterson. Would it look too obvious to end it with him right now or should I wait out basketball season? I don’t want to hurt him and the longer I string him on, the more he’ll get hurt. I don’t want to be the user, the one who stays in a loveless relationship because a few benefits outweigh the mediocrity. I don’t want to be like my mom.

  Dylan wants me to come to the party at his house tonight. It won’t be the right time to talk to him though—not with all the noise and drunks. I tried to make an excuse not to go because each time I spend the night with him, he seems just a little more attached.

  I told him I have to finish my paper on equidistribution in chaotic dynamical systems, but I think he stopped listening when I said equidistribution. I really do have to finish the paper by Monday. Maybe I can get Alli to come to the party with me and I can make an excuse to leave with her. If I don’t stay the night, it would help me to start to separate and make it easier when I break it off. Who am I kidding? Alli would never go. I think I’ll just wait out basketball season.

  I’ve taken out my laptop, and have been working on my paper for about an hour when Alli pops her head in my door.

  “Jessica is picking up some food from The Palace. Do you want anything?” Her phone is perched on her shoulder and she’s gathering her long red hair at the back of her neck.

  “No, I’m not that hungry. I had a late lunch.”

  She relays her order to Jessica, ends her call, and turns to me with her hands on her hips. “And, I heard you ran into Chase.”

  “Yep.” I look back down at my laptop. I’m not going to see him again, so I don’t feel the need to explain myself.

  “So?”

  I can feel her furious eyes burning into the side of my head. I glance up to meet her glare. “I ran into him, so what? I’m not going to see him again,” I repeat out loud as I look down at my screen. “I have to get at least two more pages written before I leave for the party tonight. It’s due Monday and there’s a game on Sunday. I really need to get this done.”

  “He has your number?”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” I tell her, though she knows the truth.

  “Was that him in your room earlier?”

  I shake my head without looking up. If I admit it, my roommates will never let it die.

  “Whatever.”

  “Do you want to come to Peterson’s party with me?”

  “Why, so you can distance yourself from him and get back with Chase? No way. Peterson’s a nice guy. He’s good for you.”

  Jessica must have let her in on my latest issues with Dylan. No one in this house can keep their mouths shut. I start back on my paper without responding to her comment and she stands in my doorway for almost a minute, waiting, before heading to her room. Am I distancing myself from Peterson because I subconsciously want Chase back?

  By nine o’clock I’ve finished my paper, except the citations. I’ve showered and thrown a sweater and a skirt on. I figure I may as well show off my legs as long as I’m not going to be breaking up with Dylan tonight.

  Alli is in her room talking on the phone, probably with someone in her study group or the teaching assistant that’s been taking her out for coffee. Jessica and Jeff are sitting on the couch watching a movie in the living room as I come down the stairs.

  “Say hi to Peterson for us.” Jessica smiles. I’m sure she’s sincere, but it feels like a taunt.

  “I’m coming home tonight so take it to your room before getting naked.” I say.

  “Thanks for the warning,” Jeff hollers as he pulls Jessica onto his lap.

  I’m glad I’m leaving.

  Parking is scarce outside the packed party, but I manage to squeeze my car onto the grass next to Peterson’s car in the alley. The thumping of the music vibrates the floor and kicks up my mood when I enter the kitchen. Dylan is talking to Scott who is manning the cups next to the keg. Scott likes to be in charge of cup sales, because it allows him to meet each and every girl who comes to the party. Scott hands Peterson a cup and he fills it before handing it to me.

  Scott looks me up and down and Peterson glares at him, but it doesn’t stop his gawking. Dylan wraps his arm around me and pulls me out of the kitchen.

  “I like your skirt,” he says in my ear as we maneuver our way through the crowd.

  “No, you don’t. You like my legs.”

  “I can’t argue with that.” He slaps my behind playfully and it makes me laugh.

  Miller grabs my shoulder as we walk into the room and says, “Nice skirt, Billings.”

  I roll my eyes. They’re acting like I’ve never worn a skirt before. Peterson punches Miller’s shoulder agreeably and then places him in a choke hold. Maybe I should have worn jeans. They joke around for a few minutes while I start up a conversation with Scott’s girlfriend, Candice. She’s so superficial that I’m not sure I can stand talking to her very long.

  “Is your hot brother coming tonight?” She sits on the back of the couch and fluffs her straight bottle blond hair. I shouldn’t criticize. I color my hair, too. But at least my hair is the color it used to be when I was little. Her color doesn’t even exist in nature.

  “No. He’s got a date, some stripper I think.” There’s no need to encourage her. “He’s never had very good taste in women. One time he slept with his best friend’s girlfriend.” True story, Chase not Wes.

  “Oh. That’s too bad. I thought he was kind of cute,” she says.

  “So does he.”

  Makayla Andre wraps her arm around my shoulder and I breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, a woman who can hold an intelligent conversation has arrived.

  “So, basketball season is ending. Are you still going to show up for the frat parties?” she asks with a sarcastic smile. She and I have talked about my relationship with Dylan. She knows it centers on the games we attend together. I look over to Dylan and he’s laughing as Miller relays a story. His eyes meet mine and I smile at him before answering Makayla.

  “Of course,” I say, but it isn’t true. I nudge her and she figures out that I can’t talk about it in front of Candice. “Are you seeing anyone? I haven’t seen you for a while.”

  “No. Miller and I have a tech elective together. He reminded me about the party.”

  “But you’re no
t here with him, are you?” asks Candice, standing up and straightening her skirt.

  Makayla shakes her head and says, “No. We’re just buds.” Then she looks at me for an explanation of Candice’s question.

  “I’m going to find Scott. It’s someone else’s turn to man the keg,” announces Candice, before whisking off in the direction of the keg.

  “Scared I’m going to sink my teeth into Scott, I guess. As if I would touch him without latex gloves on,” Makayla says once we’re alone.

  “She’s just possessive of all the guys who live here. She and Scott aren’t going to last much longer. Besides, she knows she can’t compete with your gorgeous skin and silky black hair.” Makayla is stunning. “I’m sure Candice is just jealous.” I lean back against the couch. The boots I have on are one of the most comfortable pairs I own, and yet still aren’t meant to be worn longer than an hour or two. There is no way that I am walking around barefoot on this floor though, so I am going to have to endure my wardrobe choice. “Is your brother dating my roommate Alli or are they really just going out for coffee?”

  “What...my brother’s dating someone?”

  “Neil gets coffee with Alli almost every day. He was her teaching assistant in Organic Chemistry last semester. I just can’t figure out if they’re dating or not.”

  “Good luck with that one. He never tells me anything.”

  I laugh because she seems so different from her brother. He is very reserved and she is not. It is hard to imagine they come from the same gene pool. We talk about what we will be doing this summer after graduation and I spill the news about the two fellowships I have been offered. She’s doing a paid internship in hopes that it will lead to her ideal engineering job. The internship is in Texas and it brings on a discussion about moving away from our families.