Page 51 of We Are the Stars

“Or you simply failed a class because you didn’t turn in good work.”

“I’m not stupid, Elliott!” he yells.

I take a defensive step back. “I know that. You’re also not very focused on your schoolwork. You’re more into the social aspect of college than anything else.”

“You ride ’em.”

“What?”

“Cocktails. You ride ’em.”

Yes, makes so much sense.

“You mean coattails?”

“Whatever.” He scoffs. “You ride mine. Always have. You didn’t have any friends so I became yours. You needed lessons in being a normal person. I gave you that, but I was always more popular than you. Your ‘friends’ in high school were because of me, and now you think you’re too good for me.Me.”

I know that most friends or ‘boyfriends’ I had in high school were because of Jase; I didn’t care. I wasn’t insecure enough to need everyone to like me. I’m still not that way, but to hear him lay it all out there like that… Talk about a hit to the heart. Even though I knew most of the friendships I had were superficial, I never thought the one I had with Jase was.

Until now.

“I don’t think that, Jase.”

“Then why haven’t you called me back!”

I watch from my peripheral as Carsen slinks out of the back room, eyes me and Jase. I refuse to look in his direction because I don’t want to swing my best friend’s attention his way. I know that won’t end well.

“What’s your problem, E?”

“Nothing, Jase. I’m bored with the same old shit and need a break, need something new and exciting.”

“Iboreyou?”

“Nearly everything is boring me lately.”

“Nearly? What’s not making that list? Is it—”

He stops talking and his back goes ramrod straight. My eyes are traitorous bastards. The moment he said ‘nearly’, they floated Carsen’s way. Now Jase is shooting daggers at him, but Carsen refuses to back down as he walks to my side.

“Everything okay here, Elliott?”

His words wrap around me like silk. It’s the first time he’s said my name in weeks and I swear there’s a hint of warmth, a touch of intimacy in the way he says it.

I unconsciously place a hand on Carsen’s bicep. Jase zeros in on the action.

“Oh, well isn’t this fucking cozy.” His hard eyes meet mine. “He works here? You’re dating?”

“Yes and no.” I ignore Carsen’s flinch at the second answer, and I also ignore how my chest tightens when I give it. “I think you need to leave, Jase.”

“Yeah, Chase. I think it’s time you leave.”

The two men stare one another down, sizing each other up. I roll my eyes at their invisible pissing contest. “This is going so well.”

“Yeah. Awesome,” Jase sneers.

“Jase, please, leave. I’ll call you later.”

“I don’t believe you.”

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