You're the Reason - J. Nathan Page 0,31

us to go on a double date? There was still a they?

What universe was I living in? Was this some kind of joke? Was this Chantel’s way of staking her claim? Was this Chase’s way of showing me he’d never be done with Chantel? Or, was he just trying to have his cake and eat it too? My hopeful side wanted to believe he just needed to keep his eyes on Ryan and me. But if that were the case, why was he taking Chantel? FML.

“And you really want to go with them?” I asked Ryan.

He shrugged. “Sounds like it’ll be fun.”

“And if I say it sounds terrible?”

“I’ll tell you what. Let’s give it a try. If it sucks, we’ll bail.”

I sobered my features, trying not to either scream or cry because right then, my emotions were so all over the place I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down. But I did know Ryan wanted to take me out. And, he’d been nice to me from the very beginning with no strings attached. I didn’t want my problems to affect him. “Sure. Whatever.”

“Great.” His face lit up. “I’ll pick you up at seven on Friday. Does that work?”

I stopped in front of my building. “Yup.”

He smiled. “See you then.”

I turned away from him, wondering if he understood how messed up this whole thing was. Because if it turned out that he did, and he was in on it, this place and these people were even more screwed up than I imagined.

***

I thought about not going to the media room that night. Everything in me told me it was a terrible idea. But I said I’d be there, and whether or not Chase had shown up to class or not, the plan was to meet there.

So, after thirty minutes of sitting in the media room waiting for Chase, I watched the movie alone. I took notes and then left, walking home in the darkness all by myself. And the crazy thing was…I made it home unscathed.

My heart? Not so much.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chase wasn’t in Art History on Thursday or History through Film on Friday. Regardless of his absence, I wrote the paper and submitted it through the portal. Everything in me told me not to put his name on it. But in the end, against my better judgment, I added it.

When I returned to the dorm later, Chantel wasn’t in our room. With all her pledge events, I barely saw her. But I hoped her absence meant she decided to bail on our double date. It was bound to be a shit show, and she had to know that.

Regardless of where Chantel was, I showered and got ready. Because there was one thing I was sure of. I planned to look good.

I blew dry my hair and curled it in loose waves. I slipped on tight leather pants I saved for special occasions and a sleeveless, low cut, leopard print shirt. I hooked a silver necklace around my neck that hung between my breasts and disappeared into my cleavage. Then, I put on makeup, opting for smoky eyes, and adding a black eyeliner wing to give my eyes a dramatic and mysterious look. I added some blush and topped off the look with red lipstick.

I stared at myself in the mirror, admiring my work. I didn’t enjoy dressing up. But tonight, looking good was imperative. There was a knock on the door. I checked the time. Ryan was ten minutes early.

I pulled open the door, laughing when I found Valerie standing there with her mouth hanging open. “You look hot.”

“Hold on. I haven’t even put on my heels yet.”

“Ryan is going to die,” she said, stepping inside and closing the door. “So is Chase.”

Hopefully.

I reached into my closet and pulled out black, peep toe, low-rise boots and slipped them on.

Valerie gawked at me like she’d never seen me before. “Holy hell, girl. Why don’t you dress like that more often?”

I chuckled, happy my friend was back to normal. The crying version made me nervous since she was usually so upbeat around me. “Cut it out. It’s a little makeup.”

“And a whole lot of hotness.”

There was another knock on the door. I walked over and opened it. Ryan stood there in jeans and a dark gray shirt. His mouth hung open. “Holy shit.”

Valerie walked over. “Doesn’t she look gorgeous?”

With wide eyes, Ryan nodded.

“I’m ready,” I said to him.

We all walked out together, Valerie heading to her dorm room.

“Bye,