My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,41

who we were to each other, and I liked having her in my life. Even if we only ended up as friends, I was better for it. And that was an odd thing to think, wasn’t it?

“I need to study. I’ll probably be over, or you can come over to our house. But yours is much nicer.”

I nodded, picking up my messenger bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

“Our house is pretty nice.”

“I’m a little jealous, but that’s fine,” she said with a laugh. “I also need to work out my game plan with my advisors. I’ve done everything I can in the moments I’ve had to think about what I need to do. Now, I need to do it. I’ve emailed a few professors, but I need to email the rest and then just hope for the best.”

“I hope Professor Jackson can help,” I said.

“You wouldn’t mind if I worked with your professor?” she asked.

“No, we work well together, Mackenzie.”

“But we’re already spending a lot of time together. I don’t want it to be too much.”

I scowled.

“It’s not like with Sanders,” I whispered, and her eyes widened.

“I wasn’t even thinking that. Sanders and I didn’t have a lot of classes together. Yes, we spent a lot of time together and did most things together because, hello, we were together, but we didn’t even really study together. Not unless I needed him to study.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”

“I shouldn’t have even brought him up. I’m sorry.” I leaned down and kissed her softly. Her eyes widened for a moment before she leaned in to me.

“You move fast, Mac,” Hunter said as he walked past us.

“Ignore him,” Mackenzie whispered, tugging on my jacket. “He’s not worth it.”

“Not even in the slightest. But I still hate that wanker.”

“Oh, I hate him more. Don’t you worry, he will always be on my I-hate list.”

“Why am I not surprised that you probably have a list that’s exactly like that.”

“With washi tape and stickers and everything,” she said, laughing.

We made our way out of the building, and I looked down at my watch.

“I have dinner with my dad tonight. Meet up tomorrow?”

“Of course. Are you going to be okay? It’s just with him, right?”

“Yes, dear old Dad.”

I had told her yesterday during our study break about my parents’ upcoming divorce. It had slipped out, something I hadn’t spoken about with anyone else yet. It surprised me that I had mentioned it, but it shouldn’t have. Mackenzie was my friend. We might have slept together and could do it again, and I had just kissed her in public. I should be able to talk to her. Maybe not about everything because I wasn’t sure about everything myself, but it was still something.

“Dinner tonight with Dad, dinner next week with Mom. Before they go back overseas to deal with the divorce. I think they’re already learning how to alternate time with me. It’s a little shocking how quickly that happened.”

Mackenzie shook her head. “My parents are still together, though they fight a lot. I think it’s because they like fighting,” she grumbled. “I’m just sorry you’re going through this. You shouldn’t have to.”

I shrugged, trying to pretend that the announcement of my parents’ divorce hadn’t irrevocably altered my foundation. “They’ll figure it out. I just hope to hell they don’t pull me into the middle of it.”

“Do you think your mom’s going to stay in the country?”

“I don’t know,” I said, a little uneasy. “Mom’s family’s still here. My aunt lives in the area, and she’s staying with her for now. I don’t know what the plan is, and I don’t think they feel free to talk to me about it.”

“Is that going to alter your plans for after school?” she asked, though she wasn’t looking at me as she said it. It was no secret that I still wasn’t sure if I would stay here or go back to the UK for grad school. I had options. I hadn’t had any true connections here before to make it worth staying, other than my extended family. But then moving in with the guys, making friends, meeting the girls, and now whatever this was with Mackenzie? That part might still be new, but everything else wasn’t. I had more connections here than I thought possible.

“I don’t know,” I said after a moment. “If my mom ends up staying here, maybe I will, too. Or perhaps I will anyway, even if