“Let’s go get you a drink: you could clearly use one.” I follow along after him, even though I have no intention of consuming any alcohol. Guess I needn’t have worried: as soon as we get to his dorm room, Windsor makes me a cup of tea with milk and two sugars. And he’s right: after I drink it, everything seems just that much clearer to me.It’s a fine balancing act, keeping up with all of my relationships. And I don’t just mean the ones with the guys, Miranda and Andrew and Lizzie, too. The end of the year academic load is heavy, and I find that I spend most of my time just trying to keep up with my activities, let alone my friendships and my … other entanglements.
Creed is the first one I ask, marching right into his apartment after Miranda opens the door, and pausing next to him while he lounges on the couch. My face is bright red, but I’ve got some of my conviction back. Whatever happens with the boys later, they need to learn a lesson now. I’ll take them to the getaway, and I’ll see how they react. After all, I survived it. They can, too.
“Go to the graduation getaway as my date?” I ask, and Creed glances lazily up at me. He’s so beyond gorgeous it’s hard to believe what actually happened between us. “To the party I mean, at the Royal Pointe Lodge. Go with me, officially.”
“Harper won’t like that,” Creed says, and I end up scowling. His eyebrows go up in surprise.
“I don’t care what Harper likes. She doesn’t own me. Does she own you?” This time, it’s Creed that’s sneering. He runs his tongue across his lower lip, and then nods, once, sharply.
“Fine then.” He pauses. “Wear my dress?”
I consider that a moment, and then shrug.
I chose once, and it didn’t feel good. This is sort of the opposite scenario, but I still won’t choose. Either all three Idol guys go with me, or none at all.
The next day, I make sure to seek Tristan out while he’s separated from Harper, leaning against his locker with one shoulder, eyes closed. He seems surprised to see me when he finally opens them up.
“What do you want?” he asks, like we didn’t hang out for a week in Paris, or share a kiss in The Mess. I’ve given him back his jewelry, just like he asked. He barely said thank you. I’m starting to wonder if taking Windsor’s advice is a mistake. I feel like Tristan is nowhere near ready to say yes to this. He looks so unapproachably gorgeous that I don’t know what to do.
“You … you’re engaged to Harper?” I ask, and his brow crinkles, mouth twisting into a scowl. “Even after she tried to drown me?”
“I explained this to you,” he says, but there’s this quaver in his voice that reminds me of a trapped animal, looking desperately for escape. “My dad won’t allow anything else.”
“Do you even like her?” I ask, and he just stares me down with his cold, silver gaze.
“I stopped liking her when I found out she beat you.” That’s all he says, and the words are cold enough, but the meaning behind them makes my heart flutter.
“So, can you do me a favor?” My heart is racing so fast now, I can feel it in my palms.
“What?” Just that one word. Tristan seems like he’s on edge now, too.
“Be my date to the party at the lake house.” He sighs and swipes his palm down his face, like he’s suddenly tired. I move forward and grab the front of his academy jacket, and he freezes like he’s been slapped. “Do you like me, Tristan?” I ask, and I realize I’m asking so many questions with that one single sentence. I’m asking him if he’s sorry, if he’s willing to cause a rift in the Bluebloods, if he can prove to me that he knows what the girls did was wrong. In the pool, backstage at the concert, they took things too far. Way, way, way too far.
He reaches down and takes my hands in his, the warmth of his skin overwhelming me. His peppermint and cinnamon scent surrounds us and he leans in, breathing against my hair. He doesn’t kiss me though, not like I want him to. His hands squeeze mine just a bit harder before he’s pushing them gently away. A slight scowl takes over his lips, but I’m pretty sure it’s not intended for me.
“I’ll take you to party,” he says, his voice so smooth it’s like silk, “but after that … no more. Marnye, you can’t stay here, and you can’t have me.” Tristan pushes me away and turns quickly, moving down the hallway so fast that by the time I decide I want to go after him, he’s disappeared. Even when I peek around the corner, there’s no sign of him.
