Page 41 of Pick Me

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. I need the noise to drown out the thoughts running through my mind.”

“Interesting.” His voice rumbled with intensity. “That explains the last two nights, then.”

“What?”

“Look, Thea—”

I raised my hand. I didn’t want to hear any of those sarcastic jabs from him this morning. I couldn’t handle it. “I don’t want to hear it, Baseball Cap. I know my fake tan is streaked; you don’t need to mock me for it. You’ve successfully ruined any chance of me getting laid tonight, so I hope you’re happy.”

“Getting l-laid?” Was it really so surprising to him someone might want me?

“Yes.”

“Who are you going on a date with?”

“No one important.” I waved it off, walking around him and ignoring the jolt of electricity as I brushed past him.

“I’m sorry.” It was barely a whisper, but I heard it and stopped. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, a little louder this time.

I barked out a sarcastic laugh. “Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just apologize to me, Baseball Cap?”

When he didn’t respond, I turned. He was still standing in the kitchen, with a fresh bunch of grapes sitting in the bowl beside him. When did those get there?

“I did. I’m sorry about last night. It was a stupid move. One I only did because I was trying to get my mind off other things.”

He threw me an awkward, somewhat hesitant smile. Strange, I’d never seen him look so… human. I knew he was human, obviously, but there was always something so untouchable about Jackson. Like he wasn’t real or that things never affected him.

“I never wanted to upset you. In fact, it’s the complete opposite of what I wanted to do. Thea, I…”

My stomach flipped, knowing he was going to either apologize or make some comment about Grace to try to make me feel better. Didn’t he realize this was not the way to save my dignity?

“It’s fine. You’re allowed to sleep with whoever you want.”

He nodded, stepping closer.

“That’s the thing. I didn’t sleep with her.”

“Um, okay.” When silence fell between us, I said, “Do you want a medal for that?”

“No. I just wanted you to know.”

My shoulders slumped. “No sleeping, but I’m sure you did other things before she left.” Why the hell did I mention that?

“No,” he gritted out. “I didn’t do anything with her, not after the things she said to you. About you.”

Why was he telling me this? Why were his eyes pleading for me to understand something I clearly didn’t?

“Okay, great.” I gave him a thumbs-up, cringing inside that I was such an embarrassment. “Well, that’s good to know.”

He nodded. “And you’re still going on that date tonight?”

I eyed my roommate, hoping glaring at him would give me some understanding of why he was acting so strange. It didn’t.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”

He shook his head and laughed somewhat awkwardly. This was getting weird.

“No reason,” he stated, moving around me and plopping on the couch. “Have a good time on your date.”

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