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“I toured it, back in high school. Since then, no. I know Finn comes up a few times a semester, and it’s always been an open invitation in the house. But Bailey was on campus…so I never had much incentive to leave.”
I nod, grabbing a straw out of the metal canister stuffed with them.
The two girls standing on the opposite side of the island that stores all the coffee shop necessities—sugar packets and wooden stirrers and extra lids, plus canisters of milk—start whispering.
After three years on this campus, my first instinct is to look for Holden. And I’m right. He’s running a hand through his damp hair as he joins the line in front of the register.
Brooks glances around, noticing the same phenomenon I’ve witnessed many times before.
Holden draws attention. Because of his looks. Because of his athleticism. Because he hasit, whatever that elusive, intangible quality is that’s more powerful than charisma.
“I figured that’s who you were texting.”
Clearly, my stealthy typing skills need work.
“We had plans to study…” I lie, because I still feel awkward about what I said earlier.
No guy has been brave enough to flirt with me since rumors started circling about me and Holden our senior year of high school. I’m automatically considered off-limits, because of some invisible code that Brooks’s ex Bailey could learn a thing or two from.
If my life was very different—if me and Holden had never met but Brooks and I had—I could picture us as a couple. Because we would match, line up like two pieces from the same puzzle. I think we would have the same steady, reliable relationship that I used to think was the ideal.
I love Holden because of our differences, not despite them.
And I’m no longer certainsimilarhas a solid outcome.
My parents were similar. Steady. Reliable. Until they weren’t.
It’s given me a new appreciation for the rollercoaster relationship I’m a part of. Maybe it means we face our issues head on, instead of letting little problems fester until they become big issues.
Brooks and I focus on the neutral topic of school until Holden joins us.
“Hey, Holden.”
Holden nods. “Brooks.”
“Finn is still sleeping, so I thought I’d explore campus a little.” Brooks glances at me. “Do you think anyone here will care if I poke around the science center?”
I shake my head. “It’s the brick building just past the library. The lounge areas and lecture halls are always open. It’s just the professors’ offices that get locked over the weekend.”
“Great. Thanks. Nice to see you guys.”
“You too,” I say.
Brooks smiles, then heads toward the door.
I finish adding milk to my coffee, avoiding Holden’s gaze. He always gets lattes because otherwise he complains his coffee is too strong or too weak when he dilutes it himself.
Once I’ve snapped the lid back on the cup, I glance up. Holden’s expression is apprehensive, which I’m relieved by. I’d rather that than he pretend nothing was wrong.
We left the party shortly after having sex upstairs. Spent the night at my apartment. And then he left early this morning for his weight session.
“How was the gym?” I ask.
He rolls his shoulder, then winces. “A little rough.”
“Did the whole team make it?”
“Owens was ten minutes late, but yeah.”
