My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,30
didn’t connect in my head that it was also Sanders’ old place.
But I wouldn’t let it bother me. It would be great. Nothing was going to rattle me today. Nothing more than it already had, anyway.
The door opened, and Pacey stood there, a raised brow on his face.
“Mackenzie, love. Why do you look like you’re ready to bolt again?”
“Oh. What?” I said and cleared my throat. “Nothing,” I added quickly. He shook his head.
“It’s not nothing. It’s you looking ready to heave the contents of your stomach all over my doorstep. Not quite the sight I wanted to see upon coming into your presence.”
I sighed and shook my head. “Thank you for telling me I look horrid. I’m not ready to throw up. At least, I don’t believe I am. I just realized that I haven’t been inside the house, other than that one time to drop something off, since…you know, the incident.”
Pacey cursed under his breath. “Damn it. I hadn’t thought about that. Shit. Should we go to your house to study? Or somewhere else?”
I shook my head and tried to smile. “No, this is fine. I’m going to get over this. Today will not break me.”
More than it already had.
He gave me a sad look. “Mackenzie.”
Tears pricked again, and I cursed myself. “Stop. I’m fine. Let’s study and pretend that everything’s okay.”
“If you have to pretend, then it’s not okay. Are you going to talk to me? Tell me what happened today?”
“I guess I’ll have to because I need someone to help me, and I think you’re the best person for the job. A friend.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Why are you guys standing out on the porch?” Nessa asked as she came forward. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s going to be great. I just need to make a plan.”
“A plan sounds good. Sounds like something you would say.”
I smiled at Pacey and rolled my shoulders back. “And after studying, I could probably use a drink. But not before. Because I can’t study while drunk.”
“A single drink would get you sloshed?” he asked, and I winced.
“Oh, when I start drinking today, it’s going to be more than a single drink,” I said sagely.
His brows winged up. “Good to know. Well, we’re stocked. Just let us know when you’re ready,” he said softly.
“Sounds like a plan. So, we’re studying in your living room?” I asked as I walked in, my chin held high but my lip a little wobbly.
I noticed Pacey and Nessa give each other looks, but I ignored them. I was fine. I wasn’t going to have another panic attack or stress out beyond all recognition. They didn’t need to worry about me.
Much.
I sat down on the couch and put my backpack on the table.
“So, what are we studying today?”
“Before you open a textbook, you’re going to tell me what the hell is wrong,” Pacey ordered as he sat down next to me. Nessa looked like she wanted to sit down with us on the couch but shook her head and went to sit on the chair next to me instead.
I figured I had taken her seat, and I moved to get up.
“No, sit down, talk to us,” Nessa said softly.
I quickly wiped the tears from my face, annoyed that I was crying again.
“Things are fucked up,” I said.
Pacey studied me. “I would assume so. Please expand on that notion.”
“Well, it all started after class today,” I said and explained about my professor, and about the internship, and even Hunter and the whole valedictorian mess so they understood.
Nessa’s eyes widened even more as I continued.
Pacey, however, glowered, his hands fisting on his lap as he took a deep breath.
“That asshole did what?” he asked, and I sighed.
“Which asshole are you talking about? Hunter or Dr. Michaels?”
“Either one at this point,” he growled. “I was talking about Dr. Michaels, but yes, let’s also discuss the asshole that is Hunter.”
“Hunter doesn’t matter. He never has. He inserts himself into my life and was always there because of Sanders.” I paused. “I should have known that Sanders was a piece of shit because he continued to be friends with Hunter, even after the whole valedictorian thing happened. He said he couldn’t just leave his friend because the guy got valedictorian. He didn’t even really care about the fact that it had been stolen from me, even if it was because of a rule nobody had known about. He didn’t have my back there, and I should’ve known.”