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It’s hard to believe their first date was over a month ago, but at the same time, it feels like they’ve been together longer. Rae and Matt have this easy way about them that makes you believe in soulmates. When I see them together, it makes me feel like there was a reason we moved in across the hall—as much as I hate to admit it. It’s still early, so who knows if I’m right, but I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a relationship become so solid so soon.
She uncaps her mascara and leans closer to the mirror. Speaking of looking amazing, her jeans, which hug her perfectly, are paired with a light pink flowy tank.
With her lips parted, she coats her long lashes. “Matt will be over soon to drive us.”
“He’s coming all the way here?” I finish putting on my lipstick and take one last look in the mirror before turning to her. “How chivalrous of him,” I tease. My boyfriend-style jeans and olive-green top are flattering enough. The thin straps lead to a scooped back that matches the front. Back home, I’d never be able to wear something like this so close to October, but Florida’s heat hasn’t lightened up even a little.
Glancing between Rae and myself in the mirror, it’s hard not to compare my stick-like frame to her curves. She may complain sometimes, but she has weight in all the right places.
“Ready?” I ask.
She grins back at me in the mirror. “Ready.”
We walk back into the room to find Matt and Jackson sitting on our beds, waiting for us.
Jackson is on my bed.
I guess that means the four of us will be going to this party together after all. Dread weighs in my stomach at the thought.
At least it’s refreshing to see him without a guitar. He’s wearing jeans with a black button-down cuffed just below his elbows, and my eyes drag over the muscles in his forearms.
I blink, forcing myself back to the present.
I haven’t seen him much over the past few weeks, but every time I do, he’s as unpleasant as ever. He either calls me Red and tries to get under my skin, or he ignores me completely. I thought things would change the night he played me that song I liked so much, but I guess he was just in a good mood after finding out he had gotten the gig.
We had shared a momentary truce. It was nice not feeling like we were at war for a few minutes. It gave me hope, like maybe we could finally find something to keep the peace between us. But, of course, Jackson had to go and fire another shot.
“Shouldn’t you be practicing with your band or something?” I ask him as I pick up my shoes.
His gaze is fixed on me, and I’m not sure what to make of it. “Why? You don’t want me to come?”
“We both know you don’t want me there either.” I huff as I slip my other sandal over the back of my heel.
“You know,” he says as he leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “I’m surprised you’re coming out tonight. I didn’t know you were capable of having fun.”
I tilt my head. “What do you think I’ve been doing all the nights you’re not here?”
He appraises me with a smug lift of his lips. “I don’t think about you when I’m not here.”
I’m about to open my mouth, but Rae cuts me off. “Oh my God,” she groans, throwing her hands in the air. She looks at Matt. “Do we have to drive with them?”
Matt laughs nervously. “Could you imagine if we weren’t here as a buffer? This is them being nice to each other.” He shakes his head. “For our sake.”
“Yeah,” I say to Rae. “If you guys weren’t here, I would have said something about how I’ll have to wash my sheets again.” I gesture to Jackson, sitting on my bed like he’s perfectly at home. “Or burn them.”
Rae gives me a leveling look, unimpressed with my quick wit. “Let’s go,” she says as she grabs her phone. “And once we get to the party, you two should stay away from each other.”
Jackson gets to his feet. “That’s the plan.”
“Trust me, we will,” I add.
The old, colonial-style house has cars parked all over the front yard. I couldn’t imagine inviting this many people to a party. Then again, we don’t even know the person hosting it. This has all been word of mouth. Someone on our floor heard about it from a friend of a friend . . . I think.
Most of the people from our dorm left at the same time we did, so now it’s just a matter of finding them. Matt takes Rae’s hand as we walk up to the house where music blares inside, and I suddenly second-guess coming here. I didn’t think about the fact that I’d be on my own now that my best friend has a boyfriend. That small detail slipped my mind completely.
“Come on,” Rae says, waving for me to follow them. I do because I have nowhere else to go, but I feel like the third wheel.
As soon as we squeeze into the kitchen, Jackson grabs a bottle of liquor and disappears into the mass of people. Matt doesn’t notice his friend slip away as he pours Rae a drink and then hands one to me. The three of us stand in the crowded kitchen, wondering where to go from here.
