Page 62 of Ink & Stardust

“Maybe Lyric is different,” Char offers.

“And maybe she’s delusional.”

My wide eyes swing to Maisie.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m just... going through something and seeing the two of you so giddy is... Well, it makes me feel like a shit bag.”

“Maisie.” I reach for her hand, giving her fingers a soft squeeze before pulling away.

“It’s fine. Really. I don’t know why I let aguyget to me like this. I just...”

“You really liked him.” I finish her sentence for her.

“I did. But I guess I was just another piece of ass to him. Should have seen that coming.” Her words hit way too close to home. “The funny thing is, I came into this year wanting to keep things casual, but then I met Macallan, and I don’t know, I guess I was blinded by his... Well, everything. Definitely not anymore, though. In fact, I hope someone breaks his kneecaps at tomorrow’s game, cocky prick.”

“Maisie.” I gasp.

“I’m serious.” She takes a long drink of her Cosmo.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m just a piece of ass too.” I shrug, trying not to let the ache in my chest show on my face, the ache I feel every time I remind myself what this really is.

“Are you, though?” Charlotte arches a brow. “The man basically announced to the entire campus that you were his.”

“He announced it in front of like twenty people,” I disagree.

“Exactly, and now the whole campus knows,” Maisie agrees. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the way people treat you differently now.”

“I mean, Owen saw me the other day and turned around so fast he nearly fell in his attempt to flee. I just assumed that was because Kai nearly choked him to death for touching me.”

“Listen to what you just said.” Char smiles. “He nearly choked someone to death for touching you. Does that sound like a man who just wants you for sex? If you were just a booty call to him, he wouldn’t care who touched you.”

“She’s not wrong,” Maisie admits. “I meant what I said. I have seen what he’s capable of. But I will say this. In all the years I’ve known Kai, I’ve never seen him act the way he did at the party. He’s usually so calm and collected. But you seem to have a way of ruffling his feathers.”

“It’s not like that.” I shake my head, trying really hard to temper my expectations.

“You sure?” Charlotte asks.

“Can we please talk about something else besides Kai Elliot?” I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face.

“Um... Well, that might be kind of hard considering he’s headed this way.” Char giggles, her eyes locked on something behind me, or rathersomeone.

“He isn’t?” I’m certain she’s messing with me.

“Oh, he definitely is.” Her smile widens.

“Talk about something,” I hiss.

“Huh?” Maisie doesn’t follow.

“Anything.” I look between them with pleading eyes.

“So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving break next month?” Charlotte asks casually, like there’s nothing out of the ordinary and God, do I love her for it.

“I’m going home for the long weekend to spend it with my family. What about you?” I curse the nervous shake in my voice as I wait on bated breath for Kai to appear.

“Yeah, I’m going home as well.” Char nods. “Though I don’t have nearly as long to travel as you do.”

“It’s only a few hours in a car, not that big of a deal. My parents are paying for a rental for me.” I try not to react when I feel someone step up next to me.

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