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Blindly, I reached into my purse. My hand grazed a crinkled twenty, and I shoved it down. Patrick’s money was the last thing I wanted to see right now. Finally, I came up with a receipt.
I grabbed a pen and scribbled on the back.
Our arrangement is over.
I can’t lie anymore.
I want to be with you.
I want to know you.
X
Christina
I slipped the receipt halfway under his door. Footsteps approached on the other side. The paper slid away and disappeared into Patrick’s room.
One minute passed. Two. I couldn’t hear the mix of music in the hall anymore — only the drumming of my heart.
His light went out.
Still, I waited. I stayed in front of that white door, my fists clenched, wishing and praying, until my control snapped and I rattled the doorknob.
“Goddammit, I don’t want your money!” I rasped. “Take it back. You need it more than I do. I don’t want a cent.”
“Well, fuuuuck me,” a male voice drawled behind me. “It’s really true.”
Whirling, I looked up into Chase’s eyes. My stomach dropped.
Behind him, Rufus smirked, his shifty glance speaking louder than any insult. James folded his arms across his chest and stared at the wall. Two other guys I ‘d seen around the house — guys who’d scarfed down the damn cookies I’d baked last year and come back for seconds — eyed me the same way Chase was: sniffing a scandal, ravenous for my embarrassment. Sharks in the water.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Rufus elbowed Chase. “And here you were saying it’s all rumors.”
One of the other guys slapped Rufus on the back. “Can’t believe everything you hear. But when it’s the lady herself… How much did he pay you, sweetheart? You looking to offload it? ‘Cause I’m taking donations. All kinds.”
“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me.” I cursed my choked voice.
“Right,” said the second guy I didn’t know. “You’re no sweetheart. You’re the cheerleader who couldn’t even stand up at that game. And now you’re tarnishing our image.”
“You’re worried aboutmepulling down the rep ofyourlame frat?”
“He’s obviously done with you. Go down the row to Chi Phi if you’re turning tricks. No one here is going to step up for Caruther’s sloppy seconds.”
Sweetheart Guy burst out laughing at this, and Chase and Rufus grinned. All I saw were sharp teeth.
“Fuck you.” The words shot from my mouth. Down the hall, heads poked out of doorways. “My relationship with Patrick is none of your business.”
“Relationship?” Sweetheart Guy guffawed. “Ahaha, she’s funny.”
“It’s over,” said the second guy. “And we’re done with you treating our house like a fucking brothel. Get out.”
I glared arrows at James, who moved from one foot to the other and refused to look at me. “All that time I was there for you last spring,” I snapped at him, “weeksI was there for you,and that means nothing? I’m just Cookie Girl?” His mouth opened and closed. “You’re Patrick’s friend,” I added to Chase, “and you’re not even trying to be there for him.”
Chase’s face twisted. “What the hell kind of a friend has he been? It’s like someone else showed up with his name and face this year. A cold bastard who barely gives anyone the time of day. I’ve tried — believe me, I’ve tried. But the guy I knew would never pull shit like this.” He glared between me and the door. “He had a normal girlfriend and did normal stuff like a fucking normal guy.”
My throat closed up. I’d hand over all the green I earned from Patrick not to cry right now. Like a beast scenting the blood of his prey, the second guy zeroed in the fat tear in the corner of my eye.
