You’re the Reason, стр. 29
We finally pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant.
“I’ll bring Sophia back to the dorm,” Chase said. “She already got my seat wet. No need to get yours wet.”
Ryan looked to me in question.
“I’m fine,” I assured Ryan. Besides, I didn’t want to get out of the car to get into another one while wearing only a towel, and campus was only five minutes away. “Thanks for…an interesting night.”
Ryan smiled, lowering his voice. “Next time just you and me.”
My lips curved, not confirming or rejecting his offer.
He stepped out of the car. “Later, guys.”
Once he closed the door, the car was eerily silent.
Chase pulled out of the parking lot, turning up the music so no conversation could take place. The five-minute ride felt like an hour, but he finally pulled to a stop in front of our dorm. I opened my door and stepped out, not looking back or saying a word to either of them. I slammed the door and made my way inside.
Once upstairs in my room, I grabbed my shower caddy and took a nice long hot shower, washing off the salt water as well as the disgust I’d felt toward both Chantel and Chase. I’d been embarrassed, humiliated, and made to look like a fool—yet again by both of them.
I returned to the room in my sleep shorts and top, stopping in the doorway when I found Chantel alone in our room crying on her bed. I said nothing, just closed the door behind me and put my shower caddy in the closet. I made my way over to my bed and slipped under the covers, not about to console her after how totally bitchy she’d been.
Silence filled the room for a long stretch, her soft sniffles piercing the quiet every now and then.
“I know I’m a bitch,” she finally said.
There was nothing to say. She was.
“I wanted to embarrass you tonight.”
I stayed silent.
“But in the end, it didn’t matter. Chase wants nothing to do with me.”
My stomach dipped, but I gave myself a much-needed internal tsk. He was just on a date with someone else! He just embarrassed you at the restaurant! He was playing with your feelings, and that is not all right!
“Don’t act like you’re not thrilled,” Chantel said.
I said nothing. I had nothing to do with their relationship.
“We could’ve been friends, me and you. But you’re always off with Valerie. You turn your nose up at me and my sorority.”
I finally spoke. “Valerie and I are similar.”
She scoffed. “You don’t know the real Valerie.”
I liked to think I did, but kept that to myself.
“Chase wants you, you know?”
I said nothing.
“Don’t think I don’t know about your secret meet-ups at the library. I have eyes everywhere.”
“We’re partners in history class,” I explained.
“Didn’t think to mention that before now?”
She had a point. I hadn’t mentioned it.
“Yeah, your paper wouldn’t have disappeared had you thought to.”
I felt the blood drain from my face as I finally turned to look at her. “What?”
“Oh,” she said all sweet. “I just meant I would’ve been able to help you with that tricky portal.”
Son of a bitch.
She stood from her bed and walked to the closet, grabbing some clothes and stuffing them into an overnight bag. “Andi’s roommate moved back home. I’m gonna stay with her for the rest of the weekend.” She moved to the door and grabbed hold of the handle. “I just need…space.”
Glad she was leaving, I said nothing. I needed space from her too.
“But, Sophia?” She pulled open the door. “If you think you’re gonna get with him now, you need to watch yourself.” She switched off the light. “Payback’s a bitch.” She turned and walked out, letting the door slam behind her and shrouding the room in complete darkness.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“So, what’d you do?” Valerie asked over breakfast Saturday morning.
My eyes shot around, making sure no one in the dining hall could hear me. Chantel did, in fact, have eyes everywhere. “Drove home in a towel.”
Valerie shook her head. “She’s so twisted.”
“She said if I go out with Chase, I better watch myself.”
Her voice became serious. “She’s not kidding.”
“Why are you so scared of her?” I asked.
Valerie’s eyes drifted from mine, as if she was considering answering me but unsure if she should.
Before Valerie could say anything, Tina passed by our table. She didn’t stop, but gave a little wave and said, “Hey, Val.”
“Hey,” Valerie said back to her as she walked away.
“Did she forget my name?” I asked.
“She’s just like Chantel. Hot and cold.”
“You sure Chantel didn’t already spread the word to ice me out now that Chase cut her loose?”
“There’s that too,” Valerie said. “But you don’t seem like someone who’s fazed by her threats.”
“I’m not.”
“Are you gonna see Ryan again?”
I shook my head. “He texted last night about going out again.”
“And?”
“I let him down easy.”
“Poor guy.”
“I’m sure he’ll bounce back. Kappa Sigmas seem to have their pick of willing females.”
Her mouth opened. “Do you know what would be awesome?”
I shook my head.
“Chantel has a pledge event next weekend. Since we don’t have a house, she’s taking the pledges to a hotel for some bonding activities.”
“Sounds awful.”
“Oh, it will be. Luckily, I’m not invited. The only sisters she’s taking are Tina and Andi.”
“Lucky you. So, what would be awesome?”
Her eyes lit up. “The Kappa Sigmas are having a huge party on Saturday. Word will definitely get back to her if we show up there and there’s not a damn thing she can