Page 38 of Rush of Jealousy

“Any place but here, please.”

He glances over to me. “Want to go to Paint Night at Bliss? The guys are going too, but I need to swing by and get them so they can drink away their sorrows. Apparently they had dates who backed out last minute and now have two unclaimed tickets.”

Bliss is a trendy stand-alone restaurant and bar in the Pearl District that caters to hipsters and the younger crowd.

“Um, yeah, sure. Am I dressed okay?” I look down at my leggings and long-sleeved shirt. I’m sure they cost way more than I ever would have paid, but I also don’t want to stand out in a social setting.

“Of course. You always look amazing, Angie. It’s just a casual thing.”

I relax into my seat, ready for something fun and carefree. “I don’t need to actually have skill, right?”

He gives me a lopsided smile. “Have you seen my stick figures?”

His lightheartedness makes me smile. I have missed this. Zander and I have spent many afternoons over the past few years playing video games, watching TV, and chatting about life. He has always been a rock for me—even though I am positive I do not deserve him. He is always the better friend.

When he pulls into his parking spot at his townhouse, he turns in his seat and studies my face. “Everything okay with you, right? I heard there was some drama at the Halloween party last night, but I am getting my information from those two jackasses.” He points up to his place. “And we both know how their stories get embellished.”

“Yeah, I'm fine. But there have been some girls getting caught up in some campus drugging cases. I’m not sure if the girl there last night was drugged, but she was having a seizure. Super scary to witness.” I cross my arms over my chest as a shiver runs through me. “It all just freaks me out.”

“Never expected you to go to a party. If I knew that, I would have told my dad no to dinner.”

I frown over his words. “Your dad probably misses you, Z. I would—” I stop. The words get caught in my throat, and I just shrug to avoid talking anymore about it.

He takes my hand in his and squeezes. “I’m sorry, Angie. It was an insensitive thing to say. I’m glad I had dinner with him, of course. I just wish you would stop putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations.”

Join the club, buddy.

“Well, I'm fine. Everything is fine. I just want to put last night behind me and move forward.”

“The paint event doesn’t start for another hour. So do you want to come in and hang out before we all have to leave?”

“Sounds good.” I exit the car and step up on the sidewalk.

“Go on up. I am going to clean out my backseat so we all have enough room to ride together."

* * *

When I get home from the night out, Zander and I loiter outside my door.

“Thanks for a wonderful afternoon and evening,” I say and give him a hug. I genuinely had a great time laughing with him and his obnoxious roommates. It was exactly what I needed in this moment of struggle.

His arms wrap around me and squeeze me tight. “I enjoyed it as well. More than I was expecting to, to tell you the truth.” He pulls back to look at me. “Sometimes hanging out with the roommates can get crazy. I’m glad you can handle my friends.”

I can see what he is saying. They are definitely over-the-top. But they are harmless. “They aren’t so bad.”

Zander rocks on his heels and shoves his hands into his pockets. “So, when my dad left, he asked if I could come home for a weekend and see my sister.”

“Something wrong?”

“Miss McFee?”

My name being said makes me jump a few inches into the air. “What the hell?” I spin around to see Trevor standing on the sidewalk. “Do not do that to me again!”

“Who is he, Angie?” Zander asks.

I frown. “Graham’s newly appointed henchman.” I turn back to Trevor and wave him off. “Please just leave me alone. I’m fine. Everything is fine.” I look up at Zander. “Let’s go inside.”

I unlock the door and guide him inside so we can finish this conversation without listening ears. Ugh. How did my life get this messed up? Again. Everything always ends up being complicated.

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