Page 21 of Deck of Scarlets

Did I care because it involved people I knew? I wiped under my eyes, removing the last bit of smudged mascara. Did I care because it was something out of my control? I tried to untangle the knots in my hair with my fingers. Or did I care because maybe for once, my mother wasn’t involved, and this was simply something I had of my own? I huffed a sigh and dried myself off, throwing on a fresh pair of sweats and a loose T-shirt. Could I come to terms with the fact that I wanted to take part in something she had no control over? Was I against all clubs because of how she forced me into similar social events growing up, making me distaste the shit out of them? I squeezed whatever water lingered in my hair and threw the towel over my shoulder, slipping on a fresh pair of socks and slippers.

Stopping to readjust my shower bag strap, I trekked out of the bathroom, surprised to find the hall empty. It wasn’t so late that the RAs called curfew, but then again, the rest of the freshmen were probably still at the mixer.

I was just used to compacted clubs with sweaty bodies at this hour.

Approaching my room, I hesitated just outside the door. Part of me wanted to question Heather about the invitation. The other part… well, I hadn’t figured out if I wanted to ignore it.

Then there was the whole Josh knowing, and now Kal showing up? Could I truly let all of this go without feeling some type of indignation?

Once again, why the fuck did I care?

Goosebumps coated my arms, and the feeling of being watched trickled an uneasy sensation down my back. I turned to find Kal a few feet from where I stood, an unsure look on his face as if he were contemplating whether he should approach me.

I made it easy for him. “Yes?” I fully turned to give him my undivided attention.

My assertive behavior caught him off guard.

“Uh… um… hi.”

I snorted back a laugh. “What do you need, Kal?”

Adjusting himself, he took a cautious step forward. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Why? You didn’t do anything wrong.” And it was true. No strings attached, no nothing. I couldn’t fault him for anything. So why did it look like he was going to shit himself?

“Anna can be somewhat of a bully.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Sounded like someone pissed in her cornflakes this morning.”

Kal chuckled, putting his hands through his thick locks. “And that, but I am sorry. "

I smiled. “You’re forgiven.” Reaching behind me, I gripped the doorknob, ready to move on, when I saw Kal take another step forward from the corner of my eye.

“Remi?” His sheepish smile told me there was more than just an apology tonight.

Letting go of the doorknob once again, I crossed my arms, ready to hear his next line. “Kal?”

“The other night…” Kal took another step forward. “…I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” He took the final step toward me until very little space separated us.

His proximity started to overwhelm me, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to lean back and offend him. Granted, what we did that night had been pretty fucking hot, but nothing was exchanged besides names and a possible see you around. If he wanted to hook up again, then yeah, why not? But anything beyond that was something I couldn’t commit to.

Especially in this godforsaken place.

So why couldn’t I take that final step and close the distance?

Why couldn’t I just dive right in and enjoy myself?

Why couldn’t I?

My hesitation was enough for Kal to step back, a look of dejection on his face. “I just wanted to apologize for how I acted. I would love nothing more than to take you out to dinner to make it up to you.”

His offer took me by surprise. “Dinner?”

Kal nodded, waiting for my response to his invitation. A free dinner from a hottie like him wasn’t a totally bad idea, and he wasn’t forcing my hand, either. Just because I wasn’t ready to commit, didn’t mean a friendship couldn’t blossom from this. Why not?

I smiled. “Sure.”

His mood changed as soon as he heard my yes. “I’ll come find you when I have the date set.”

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