Page 117 of Always You

“More like he’s living in hell and coming to paradise every chance he gets. AKA, our house,” Jason chimes in as his phone starts to vibrate from where I put it down beside my thigh.

Julie.

“Fuck you, J.” I throw a pillow at his head as he gets up, then glance at his phone clutched in his hand. “You still talk to Julie?” A pang of jealousy snaps through me, knowing that the line to Charlotte is shorter for Jason than it is for me, now that she’s cut me out of her life completely. I don’t blame her. But I sure as fuck miss her. I wish we could at least talk every now and then, just so I can hear her voice and make sure she’s okay. But her unanswered phone calls made her wishes clear.

Blonde eyebrows form a frown. “Of course, I still talk to Julie. She’s my friend.”

“She’s your brother’s girlfriend,” Jensen informs flatly, as if we’re not aware, and I snicker at his wit.

“So?” Jason cocks an eyebrow.

“So? Why is she calling you?”

“Probably because my brother is being a dick to her.” With that, he strolls away to take the call.

“God, you two are so whipped by the girls from your past,” Jensen mutters, kicking off his sneakers before propping them on the table.

“I have a girlfriend,” I argue.

“One you’re avoiding half of the time.”

“I’m not!”

“Then why are you on our couch four nights a week?” He blinks with a fake smile and a challenging look.

“Because…” I lift my snapback to run a hand through my hair. “I like her. She’s sweet. Fun.Hot. But she’s fucking high-maintenance, man. She changes outfits three times a day, spends half the day making selfies, and she’s always squealing about some superficial shit with her girlfriends. I moved in withher, but most of the time, it feels like I’m living with a fucking sorority. It doesn’t help matters that she doesn’t know what real life is like, and has never had to struggle for anything.”

“Sounds like a fucking dream! Can I come?”

My elbow lands on his side. “I’m serious!”

“So am I?” Confusion washes his face. “Look, man. This is what you wanted. Just accept it. If I learned anything from growing up with my parents, sometimes it’s better to just accept it.”

I study his expression, trying to read between the lines of the sudden gloom in his voice. “Got experience with that?”

“Too much to tell.” He shakes his head, then conjures his cheeks into a wide grin. “But if you need me to escort some of Laurie’s friends out of your apartment, just let me know?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

45

Hunter tried to call me a few times every single day for a week, then he called me once every week, but after that, he stopped. Not going to lie, it hurts when another picture of him and Laurie circles on the internet, but I do my best to avoid it, and distract myself by trying to get new connections inside the campus.

I’m in college, for crying out loud. More than enough people to keep me entertained.

“Oh, Charlie, I’m sooo glad you came to UNC with me. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Julie hooks her arm in mine as we strut over campus, both having a cup of ice cream in our hand.

“I know. I’m really glad I did. I’m pretty sure I’d be miserable being stuck in Braedon community college with everyone from our class going off to the big schools.”

“Right! And imagine all the parties you would’ve missed. Still can’t believe I got you out of your books as many times as I did.” She chuckles.

“Neither can I.” I laugh.

The first time Julie dragged me to one of the frat parties, I wanted to hide and run, thinking it would be the same disaster as it was in LA. But it seems like college parties are more my thing. I actually really enjoyed myself, and it felt refreshing beingin a new environment. Though I still enjoy a quiet night with a book at the dorm, I go out with Julie every other week now.

We take a seat on one of the benches in front of the campus, savoring the sun warming our faces as we keep eating our ice cream. The sweetness of my cookies and cream is alternated by the fresh taste of my orange scoop, reminding me of Hunter because, apparently, I like to torture myself every now and then.

“Can’t believe we’re sophomores. Time really flies by.” I place my spoon between my teeth, dragging it out as the ice cream drops on my tongue. “How are things with Jacob?”

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