Page 106 of One of Them Girls

In that moment, I knew what I had to do.

I pick up the phone, dialing Xavier’s number.

When it goes straight to voicemail, I curse. Then I dial Jack.

“What’s up, Ace? Miss me yet?”

“Never, but I’m sure Rebecca might,” I tease.

“Wait. Does she really?”

I shake my head at his antics. “A best friend never tells. Anyway, I need to talk to Xavier, but his phone is off. Can you get him for me?”

“I would love to, but he’s not with me. He’s at Tinsley’s.”

My heart stops. Did he lie to me because he didn’t want to hurt me?

“He told me he was spending Christmas with you.” I frown. “Never mind, I don’t have her number. Fuck.”

“I have her number. Hold on. I’ll call you right back.”

I pace in my room, feeling an undeniable need to be with Xavier. I really want to see him, but talking to him will have to do until he comes back.

When my phone rings, I half expect it to be Xavier, ready to tell him how I feel, but it’s Jack.

“Jack?”

“He’s not there either. She said he told her he was staying with me too. I have no idea where he is. I’m getting in the truck now.”

“Shit. How far are you?”

“A couple hours at least.”

“Don’t head this way yet. I’m only thirty minutes from campus. I’ll go look around and see if I can figure out where he would go. At Thanksgiving, he was planning to stay in a hotel. I bet he did that.”

“Okay. You go look and I’ll call hotels.”

“Call me if you find anything.”

“You too.”

* * *

Xavier

Pounding on my door startles me awake. I stumble to the door, careful of my cast.

Fucking thing keeps getting in my way.

I open the door, expecting campus security, but find an angel on the other side.

“Adra, what are you doing here?”

“Me? What are you doing here? You said you were with Jack. You lied.” She smacks my chest.

“Ow. Still injured,” I say in jest. “Merry Christmas to you too.”

“Whatever. Were you sleeping? It’s noon.”

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