My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,66

surprising me.

“You’re having a shit semester. I’m sorry, and I know not all of this is your fault. You can fix it. You always do.”

“I’ve never had so much—and things like this—to fix before,” I muttered.

“No, you haven’t. So, figure it out. But, Pacey? You’re going to have to fix things with Nessa and Tanner. You’re probably going to have to tell Mackenzie about the house, too.”

I groaned and sank back into the couch. “When did school get so hard?”

“This has nothing to do with school, Pacey. This is about who you are and the choices you want to make. So, you better figure it out. Because if you don’t? You might not have anyone left to hurt, even by accident.” And on that lovely note, Miles walked away and left me alone.

Apparently, I was really good at fucking things up today—or every day.

And I knew I deserved every ounce of anger I had for myself—as well as everybody else’s anger that was currently directed my way.

Chapter 18

Mackenzie

I stepped into my dress and pulled it up over my chest so I could wrap the straps around my shoulders. The skirt flared out at the knees over my tights, and I figured it would have to do. It was getting slightly warmer out, but we were at that stage in the Colorado winters when it could feel like it was spring turning into summer one minute and then go straight back to winter the next, so I never counted my chickens early by dressing for full summer.

“You look cute,” Natalie said as she came in and handed over a small wrap. “I borrowed this from you last week for one of the parties. I figured I should give it back. It will work with your outfit tonight.”

I smiled and took it from her. “I was just thinking about this. Thank you.”

“No problem. Thank you for letting me borrow it.”

“I still can’t believe I’m taking time to go on a date,” I said, shaking my head.

“You and Pacey have been together nearly all semester at this point. You should be going out on dates.”

I blinked, doing the math. “Wow, it has been over two months, hasn’t it?”

“Yep. You guys are the talk of the town,” she said, the look in her eyes teasing.

I shuddered. “Don’t say that. I don’t want to be the talk of any town.”

“You’re not,” she said. “I promise. I was only teasing you.”

“Good, after the whole scene with Sanders, well, the second scene that is, I’m not in the mood to be anybody’s gossip call.”

“I don’t blame you. But you don’t have to worry. Everyone’s dealing with their own issues. And it’s not like we’re a super small campus or anything.”

“Thank God for that.” We met each other’s gazes, and both smiled. “Anyway, you think this is fine for tonight?” I asked as I twirled a bit. “I’m not in the mood to show off too much of my legs, so I figured cute tights would work.”

“I think you look gorgeous. And I’m sure Pacey will agree.”

I grinned.

“You’re so nice to me,” I said. “Is Nessa still out?” I asked, my stomach tightening.

Natalie gave me a sad smile. “She is. She said that it’s a study group, but I have a feeling it has more to do with a certain date you’re going on tonight.”

I held back a curse. “I was afraid you were going to say that. We need to sit down and talk because I don’t want her to hate me.”

Nessa’s eyes widened. “She doesn’t hate you. Believe me. I think she’s just embarrassed.”

I frowned. “Why would she feel that way?” I asked, honestly perplexed.

“Because she has a crush on a guy who’s dating her roommate and friend.”

“She shouldn’t be embarrassed. We all have crushes that sometimes go unrequited.”

Natalie blushed, and I wondered what that was about. “Well, I think she just needs some space.”

“I’m trying to give her that, but we are roommates. We share a house.”

“And she’s trying not to show her pain to anyone,” Natalie said kindly.

“I should have realized that something was going on before I asked Pacey to be my rebound.”

“He’s not your rebound anymore, is he?” she asked, and I shook my head. “No, I don’t think he is. I don’t know what he is, but I don’t think he’s that.”

“It is exciting in a way, you and Pacey.”

I shrugged, looking down at my hands. “Maybe. I don’t know. I went from one serious relationship to something I thought would