Mallory slipped into the seat next to me. “If it was one of us who stayed out all night after leaving a cryptic message, would you let us eat?”
“Fair enough. Jade took me to a show and it turned out Chase was the lead singer.”
“How is that possible? Isn’t that a really big coincidence?” Juliet asked.
“It’s pretty crazy. I guess up until recently, they were an indie band, whatever that means exactly, but they’ve definitely got fans and they’re on some big tour right now.”
Mal laughed. “Cara dating an indie musician. Are there pigs flying too?”
“I didn’t say I was dating him exactly….” It was more like sex and conversation.
“But you spent the night with him.” Mallory eyed me warily. “That has to mean something.”
“It means I’m incredibly attracted to him and wish he actually lived in Charleston.” I couldn’t keep stuff from my friends. It’s like being around them meant I’d flipped on the ‘way too honest’ switch.
“Was it good this time?”
“Which time?” I grinned.
Juliet laughed. “Oh boy, quite a night, huh?”
“The best.” I opened the plastic lid to my salad.
“How did you leave it? Please tell me you exchanged numbers.” Mallory sipped her water.
“He said he’d call tonight to let me know he made it to Charlotte.”
“Aww.” They both made identical sounds.
“When’s he coming back? We have to meet him.” Juliet unwrapped her sandwich.
“In March. At least that’s what he said.”
“This is awesome. See, things do work out.” Mallory grinned.
“But I did have a run in this morning.”
“Oh no. What did Aaron do?” Juliet pushed away her uneaten sandwich.
“He got angry at me for skipping the mixer and staying out. He told me I’d be back because I needed him.”
“That ass.” Mallory shook her head. “He was sulking around the party and then just left.”
“I can’t believe he actually thought I’d just forget about it and go back to him.”
“I can’t believe he’s Reed’s best friend.” Juliet leaned back in her chair.
“I really don’t want to mess things up for you. Please, just stay out of it.” The last thing I wanted to do was destroy her relationship with Reed.
“Like that’s going to happen. I’ll talk to Reed.” She set her jaw, and I knew she was already planning her tirade.
“No.” I looked her straight in the eye. “Don’t get Reed involved. He said he wouldn’t wait forever, so he’ll get tired of it.”
“Are you sure?” Mallory asked. “Colton’s not that close to him, but he could help too.”
“I appreciate it, both of you, but I want to handle this myself.” There was no reason to pull anyone else into this mess.
“If you say so.” Juliet didn’t sound convinced.
“I do. And I have another random piece of news to share.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I told Kyle Bradley I’d go as a friend to his date party next weekend.”
“Wait, seriously?” Juliet asked. “He asked you?”
“He got dumped and the girl’s already dating another brother. I’m single now, so I can help.”
“Is it at their house?”
“Uh huh. I haven’t been back there since right after Rush last year.”
“At least Dylan’s not around.”
“Supposedly, Dylan’s admitting he screwed up now.” I took a bite of my salad.
“Oh yeah? I’m sure he’s completely reformed.” Mallory picked at her salad. It was a Caesar and she was carefully avoiding the croutons. It wasn’t a health thing, Mallory just couldn’t stand them.
“Think he’s better in bed now?” I dared to ask the question.
Juliet spit out her water. “For his future wife’s sake, I hope so.”
“Not every guy gets married.” No matter what Riley said, I was sure Chase wasn’t a settle down kind of guy.
I heard my phone vibrating in my bag and pulled it out to find a text from Chase.
Would it be incredibly corny for me to say I missed you already?
I knew my friends were probably staring at the grin spreading across my face. I quickly wrote back. Not corny, just weird sexy.
“You had better not be sexting over there.” Mallory laughed.
“Nope. Just making fun of him.”
“Let me see.” Mallory grabbed my phone just as he replied. Weird sexy is still sexy.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do I want to ask what that’s about?”
“Nope.”
“Weird sexy? Is he kind of dorky or something?” she asked.
“Not at all. It’s hard to explain.”
“Look at that smile on her face.” Juliet grinned. “I like this guy already.”
“Yeah, I do too.” I finished half my salad before closing it and grabbing my tote bag. “I need to pick something up at the bookstore, so I’ll see you guys at the house.”
“Okay… but you better not be running off to have phone sex.” Juliet laughed.
“Ugh. Never.”
“Never say never.” She leaned across the table. “I learned that the hard way this summer.”
“Too much info, love.” I stood and waved before heading outside. I loved my friends, but I was going to have to make sure they didn’t get too excited about Chase. After all, who knew if they’d ever meet him?
I pushed off Chase thoughts and headed to the bookstore. My love life may have been out of control, but I was going to make sure to keep on top of my classes.
***
My afternoon class was far less eventful than the morning one. It was a lecture on basic supply and demand economic principles, and I just made sure to take good notes. I had dinner at the house and watched a movie with some of the girls. I followed that up with something I never did. I actually did some school work on a Friday night. I’d just finished my reading for the night when my phone rang.
As soon as I saw Chase’s name on the screen, I picked up. So much for acting cool and collected. “Hey. Did you survive the arduous journey?”
“I did. We’re here and I have an hour before the show. I just have one problem though.”
“What?” I leaned back against my pillows.