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My head jerks, and I find Brynn hovering in the doorway, mouth open and eyes wide with surprise, as two girls I vaguely recognize as her friends hover behind her.
I recoil, jumping off the couch and nearly falling on my ass in the process. Holding my jeans up, I fight for words as Brynn’s jaw hardens and her hands fist at her sides. “Real nice, Jace.”
She whips around and makes a beeline for the door while I stumble after her, calling out, even though I shouldn’t. “Brynn, wait—”
This is what I wanted, wasn’t it?
Yet the disgust contorting her pretty features wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I thought it’d be.
I reach a grasping hand outside the door, but it comes up empty and I lean outside to see she’s already gone.
“You have a girlfriend?” Teresa shrieks from behind me. “That’s why you said you couldn’t do this?”
I turn to her, my hands raised in surrender as her pupils turn to pinpoints. “No, of course not.” I shake my head. “She’s not my—”
“Asshole!” she blurts before she storms out, and I want to yell after her. To kick and scream and shout. Because I’m not her fucking boyfriend. Not by a longshot.
Girls like Brynn Nichols don’t date guys like me.
CHAPTER 16
BRYNN
The next few dayspass without incident, mostly because of my expert avoidance skills. My first encounter back to class with Stanley involved a lot of glaring on his part and a whole lot of cold shoulder on mine, but if I was worried about him confronting me after class and what I would say, I shouldn’t have been. He exited the lecture hall so fast you’d think his shirt was on fire. As for Jace, I’ve managed to align my coming and going from the apartment to when he’s conveniently not around.
It’s amazing how quickly one can learn someone else's schedule when highly motivated.
Most of my time has been spent with Charlotte and Samantha during the day, studying in the library or taking long walks around campus, then hanging out with the girls again at night. If Jace has noticed my absence, I wouldn’t know. Maybe he’s avoiding me, too. It’s hard to tell. Either way, I need a distractionfrom my conflicting feelings where he’s concerned, something to keep me busy.
This newfound motivation leads me to the student affairs building on a Friday where I meander along the hallway until I find the large cork bulletin boards outside the office. I scan the flyers for something to catch my interest.
I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but I’m confident I’ll know it when I see it. I imagine in the fall, these boards are filled with active clubs and campus events, but in the dead of summer, most of the listings appear to be for jobs.
I see openings for waitresses, babysitters, and dog walkers. Requests for tutors and invites for chess club join the mix, along with a plea for resident advisers. But none of these things feel right. None of them click. Until a brightly colored pamphlet with a picture of children for a foundation called Helping Hands captures my eye, with the headingVolunteers Wanted.
I make quick work of the brochure, reading it out loud: “Looking for volunteers to work with local youth ages five through eleven. Will attend sporting events, field trips, and work hand-in-hand with youth from underprivileged backgrounds throughout the summer and school year. These kids need you! Join and become a positive influence in a child’s life today.”
I rip off one of the business cards pinned to the flyer with a smile and stare down at the phone number. Back in Riverside, I spent my summers working at a daycare center throughout high school, and though I know it’s not the same thing, I loved every minute. Spending time with kids always puts a smile on my face, and since I have aspirations to work in pediatric nursing, any experience like this can only be seen as a bonus when it comes to my resume and landing a job after school.
I wander away from the student affairs office as I dial the number, and when a woman answers I express my interestin volunteering. A few minutes later, I hang up with an appointment for later this afternoon to meet her in person and fill out the paperwork to see if I’m a good fit.
They’ll need to perform a quick background check since my clearance in Ohio doesn’t apply to another state, but by the time I get off the phone with her, I feel like I accomplished something for the first time since I got here.
As much as I’ve grown to love Charlotte and Samantha, I need something else to focus on, and since I’m nowhere close to finding a boyfriend, helping to make a difference in the lives of children might be just the ticket. I was lucky enough to have an amazing family and childhood, but I also know what it’s like to go through a dark time. Helping someone else rather than focusing on my own problems will be therapeutic.
With renewed purpose, I wander out of the building, feeling better than I have in a while. Everything that’s happened between Jace and I since we started school has really messed with my head. One minute I hate him, then I’m kissing him, and the next he’s bringing other girls back to the apartment for me to walk in on.
It’s emotional whiplash, but I’m used to the anger and loathing. It’s the attraction and desire that’s wigging me out.
If I had anywhere else to stay, I’d be gone, but as it is, I’m stuck.
I guess I should look at the bright side. This happened during summer semester, rather than the fall, which is nearly double in length.
Only five weeks left.
Which reminds me, I have yet to properly thank Chris for letting me crash at their place. Even though Jace appears to be right and he’s hardly ever there, I should do something nice to thank him.
Being daughter to a caterer, and sister to a brother and athlete, has instilled in me the deep faith that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so I make a plan. Lunch, then my interview, and afterward, I’ll stop by the convenience store to buy ingredients for my favorite cupcakes.
