Page 36 of Cruel Devil
“Good.” I leave Allie with Aaron and jump in my Escalade. When I pull up to her place, it hits me that I don’t know what I’m going to say to her, so I sit there, my car idling. It’s been a few hours since I left and I know she won’t be happy to see me but… it doesn’t matter. I told Aaron I’d have his back and tell her, so I’m going to do that. He shouldn’t be the one to drop this bomb on her. I’ve got this.
There’s a back entrance off the hall that leads to Kasey’s room, so I put my ride in drive and head that direction. There’s a chance Kappu Mu’s pool party is still in full swing. Greek parties are usually an all-day, all-night sort of thing. I don’t want to see anyone and deal with their bullshit, so I’ll slip into Kasey’s room and wait for her there if she isn’t inside already.
Chapter Sixteen
I’m tired and hungry and decide to fix at least one of those problems by grabbing a bagel from the kitchen. I probably should have put pants on but I doubt anyone is going to come inside, and at least I bothered to slip underwear on before heading to the kitchen.
Dominique’s shirt hangs down to the middle of my thighs, which is more than the swimsuit was covering. I should shred the damn thing. All I’ve had these past few hours is time. Time to think about how twisted up I am about a guy who clearly doesn’t give a shit about me. I’m not this person, so why am I letting him get to me?
Decision made, I’m done letting him tell me what to do, or wear. I’m done giving a shit about his feelings or worrying about whether or not he’s interested in me. I’m over it.
I’m going to focus on school. I’ll date. Yes, I’ll definitely date. Maybe Quinn or one of the other girls can fix me up with someone. I need to get over whatever it is that I feel for that asshole.
The toaster dings and I retrieve my bagel, dropping it on a plate before spreading a thin layer of butter on it. Next I add a layer of jelly. I know you’re supposed to use cream cheese, but I’m not a huge fan and this tastes a whole lot better. The door leading to the backyard opens and Deacon steps inside.
“Hey,” he says upon seeing me right as I bite into my bagel.
I give him a wave and point to my mouth as I chew. He nods and a few seconds later I swallow. “Sorry. Didn’t want to talk with my mouth full.”
“No problem.” He shifts uncomfortably.
“So…” I say.
“Yeah. Sorry. I was just coming in to use the bathroom.”
I point down the hall. “First door on your right.”
He nods. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He goes to take care of business and I put the butter and jelly back in the refrigerator. I take another bite of my bagel and grab a napkin before turning back to the fridge for a bottle of water. Hands full, I head back for my room right as Deacon exits the bathroom. “Have fun,” I tell him as I slip past.
“Oh, hey, wait up.”
I slow my steps, but I don’t stop entirely. “What’s up?”
“I was hoping we could talk,” he says.
“I thought we already did?” We pause outside my room. I have a bagel in one hand and the water in the other so I’ll need to shift things around to free up a hand, but I have a feeling if I open my door, he’ll want to come inside, and I’m not sure that's a good idea. Deacon is nice, and hot. But I’m in a weird head space right now, and yes, I definitely want to get over whatever hangup I have for Dominique at the moment, but I know myself. I’ll do something reckless, like throw myself at the guy and just make a bigger mess out of things, which isn’t fair to him. I need to find a guy not on the football team. One Dominique can’t screw with to get at me.
“We did, it’s just—” My door swings open on its own. Correction, the jerkface standing inside my room opens it.
“Leave,” he says to Deacon, right as I say, “What the hell are you doing in my room?”
Dominique doesn’t look at me, his penetrating stare resting solely on Deacon.
“Look, man...”
Dom shakes his head. “I don’t have time to deal with you right now. You need to go. Now.”
Deacon’s shoulders are stiff as the guys stare off with one another.Screw this.
“Hi. I have a better idea. How about you both leave. That’d be great.”
Deacon looks down at me, a flicker of hurt in his eyes, and I wince. “Sorry,” I tell him. “This one brings the bitch out in me.”
That seems to satisfy him, but still, neither guy moves. I turn to Dom. “Why are you even here?” I just decided I’m done with his crap and this is what the universe does? It’d be bad enough if he showed up on my doorstep, but in my room? Really?
Dom looks down at me. “We need to talk.”
