“Who the fuck have you ever dated?” I say with a laugh.
“Whatever, smartass. Get the fuck out of my office.” I give him a chin nod and head out, pulling my phone out to send a text to Madeline.
Me:No worries, Buttercup. He just wanted to make sure I was serious about you.
Buttercup:Really?
Me:Yeah.
Buttercup:Sorry you had to lie about us fake dating.
First off, I’m not lying, but I know Madeline would hate to lie to her sister, so I understand why she’s saying that.
Me:If that’s what you need to tell yourself.
Buttercup:Whatever.
I smile at my phone and send another text. We keep going back and forth all night. It soothes me that I can keep in touch with her.
Tomorrow I’ll see her. Touch her. For now, this is enough. Almost.
Chapter Twenty-Three
MADELINE
Georgia and I walk across campus to our morning classes. The air is chilly, like September is trying to be October. I was slightly disappointed when I stepped out of my dorm room and Luke wasn’t there, but I think they have practice in the mornings.
I try not to yawn, since I stayed up too late texting with Luke about everything and nothing. I’m beginning to think he’s misunderstood and keeps his guard up, just like I do.
I kind of love that Luke is so into me, given his past. It surprises everyone. I don’t really get it since I’ve heard other girls talk about him, but no one’s actually seen it for themselves.
I’m starting to think they’re all full of shit, and fuck, does that have to suck to have people out there saying they slept with you when they haven’t. It’s strange. I’m also starting to realize that rich people can be really weird.
“So—” Georgia says, and I recognize her tone. We always know what the other is thinking, like best friends should. “This thing with Luke. Not looking so fake anymore.” I cringe. I should have known she wasn’t going to let me get away with acting as though it was.
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how? Complicated like you’re actually into him, or complicated like you don’t know if you can trust him?”
I kick a loose rock and watch it roll away. “Both. He was such a dick to me at first.” I shake my head. “Now he’s different. Or maybe I just want to see something that isn’t really there.” I think that’s my biggest fear. That I’m reading Luke wrong and it could blow up in my face at the end. I’m already in way deeper than I’ll even admit to myself.
“Madeline.” Georgia stops and turns to face me.
“And you don’t like him. Remember? He’s been an asshole to you for years.” Georgia’s expression softens.
“He’s only an asshole in passing, and I didn’t like him before, but I see a different side of him when he’s with you.” There’s no hope for me now, if he’s won Georgia over.
“Doesn’t make it okay.”
“Maybe not, but he treated everyone the same way. If you stayed out of his way, you were fine. Besides—” She looks around. “I think some messed-up things happened at home before his dad died.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask. This is the first time I’m really hearing about his past when it comes to his family. I know the basics, that his brother is his guardian, but I figured he was probably in the same situation as mine. Dead dad and all that.
“I mean, people aren’t just assholes for no reason. There’s a reason he acts the way he does. Seeing this other side of him makes that clearer.”
“Right,” I agree. “We all have our shit.”
Georgia nods. “If you like him, I’m fine with it. If he turns out to be a psycho asshole, you’ll dump his ass.” She’s right. “He broke into an office for you. He punched someone. Went to a crime scene to stoke your curiosity,” she points out. “He’s either totally unhinged or totally into you. Maybe both.” I snort a laugh.
