My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,5
moving in with a bunch of boys.”
“Your loss,” he drawled, leaning against the doorway. He looked over his shoulder, then moved into the room, closing the door behind him. My eyebrows winged up.
“What was that for?”
“So we can have some privacy—not for what you’re thinking,” he amended. “Talk to me, Mackenzie. What’s wrong?”
I shrugged and looked down at the boxes around me. “There’s just a lot to do. This year, I have to prep for my internship and the program for my thesis. It’s the last semester of our junior year. Things ramp up.”
“You’re right, they do. But you weren’t thinking about any of that just now.”
“What am I supposed to think? I had my entire life planned out in front of me, Pacey. You all made fun of me enough for it that you know that. And now, all of that’s been thrown out the window because Sanders wanted a blowjob from another girl just to see how it felt. He needed to take notes and describe it to himself so he could compare it to us.”
My blood boiled, and Pacey just shook his head and took a step forward. He was in my space then, and I swallowed hard. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and leaned down, resting his forehead on mine. I froze, wondering what the hell he was doing. We were not this close. I didn’t even think Pacey liked me all that much. I was usually the loud, annoying one who made lists. And now, here he was, touching me.
And I had no idea what the hell he was doing.
“Mackenzie, breathe.”
“It’s tough to do when you’re touching me. Mostly because I’m not a huge fan of people touching me. And you’re really close.” I said the words quickly, and he let out a rough chuckle before stepping back, leaving the scent of sandalwood and something that was all Pacey behind.
What the hell was going on?
“Sanders, or Paul like I like to call him in my head now because that is his name and he doesn’t get to have the suave nickname—”
“He always hated that name as a kid.”
“Well, now he doesn’t get to have a nice name. One he likes. I’ll call him Paul. Just for you. And for me, because he annoyed me.”
“Thank you?” I asked, and Pacey’s lips twitched.
“You’re welcome.” He paused. “Talk to me, Mackenzie. What else is on your mind?”
I looked at him and thought... Why not? Why couldn’t I just tell him what was on my mind, blurt it out, get embarrassed, and never see him again? After all, I wouldn’t be hanging out with the guys as much anymore. Or ever. While their house was larger, a lot nicer, and Elise would likely go over there, I could stay here. Right?
“I have a lot of things in my plan for the year. And part of that was to have sex—at least when I was with Sanders. Because I like sex. I like relationships. And now, I don’t know what not having that means for my future. But I know that to get through my checklist of who I need to be, I need a rebound. I have to get out there and somehow find that next step so people can stop thinking about Sanders when they look at me and give me those pitying looks. Even with classes and school and moving into a new home with roommates who don’t really know me. I need to find a rebound. So, Pacey, what do you think? Do you think you can find one for me?”
I knew the sarcasm dripping from my tone at that point was ridiculous, but he had asked. And my plan was even more ridiculous-sounding when said out loud.
Pacey just blinked, raised a brow, and smiled. “Well, Mackenzie, I thought you’d never ask.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” I asked, a little afraid I knew precisely what he was thinking.
“You’re looking for a rebound? Well, darling, you’re looking right at him.”
Chapter 2
Pacey
As soon as the words left my lips, some part of me knew they were a mistake. Only when it came to Mackenzie Thomas, I couldn’t regret the offer. The look on her face etched itself into my mind. She hadn’t said no, hadn’t blinked or walked away. She hadn’t screamed or slapped me or called me vicious names. Instead, she had squinted at me, confusion written on her face even as I knew an idea sparked behind those