Page 82 of Choosing Forever
“No. I’m leaving. If you’re not too drunk to remember what I’m going to tell you, make sure to let Darren know when you see him that I went home.”
“Don’t go yet! What if he comes back? He promised me he’d hold my legs for a keg stand tonight.”
“He was probably lying.”
“Nah. He did it last weekend, and I won first place in the competition. His biceps are like fucking tree trunks. His fans should be here soon to see him use them again,” he mumbles.
My shoulders lock up. “His fans?”
“Just some chicks. Hot ones. I think. . .”
My blood runs cold before I remind myself that he’s not my boyfriend. Darren can be ogled as many times as he’d like to be now. I’m not the only one who gets to do that anymore. I chose that.
A groan is Blue’s only reaction to me shoving his feet off me and standing. It’s too hot in this room anyway. And the music is horrendous. Whoever chose it should have their Bluetooth privileges permanently taken away.
The dorm room is way too small to be packed full of so many people. Darren isn’t the party type either. I knew before he told me about the one happening tonight that it wasn’t his idea. He still should have been here.With me.
Without bothering to speak with anyone else, I focus on my phone and try calling him again. When his voicemail kicks in, I hang up and quicken my stride. Ten minutes later, I’ve freed myself of the university campus.
Poppy’s my next call before I chuck my phone into my car’s cup holder. She answers on the first ring, her voice flowing softly while I drive off campus.
“Delaney? Shouldn’t you be a bit too busy to call me by now?”
“Do you know where he is?”
She clears her throat, suddenly serious. “Darren?”
“Yes, Darren. Do you know where he is?”
“I thought he was with you.”
A tidal wave of worry blasts through me. “No. I haven’t seen him since you left . . . he’s not answering his phone either. I’ve been at his place waiting for two hours.”
“Do you want me to turn around? I can come back. I’m not that far.”
“You’re lying. Don’t come back. I’ll find him.”
“I’m turning around,” she argues, stubborn like she always is.
“You’ve got to be nearly home already. I’ll find him before you get back. Plus, you hate driving on the highway at night. Don’t push yourself.”
A slight pause. “What if he’s hurt?”
“He’s not.” I wince at the power in those words and soften my next ones. “He’s not, Poppy. Knowing Darren, he’s probably sitting somewhere alone, calming down.”
“It’s unlike him not to tell us where he is first.”
I know.“I just left campus. He has to be somewhere around here.”
“He seriously left you in his dorm alone? With Blue?”
“Yep. Along with at least forty other people.”
“I’m sorry he’s being such an idiot,” she huffs. “I still don’t understand why the two of you agreed to this separation to begin with. You never used to fight before. I knew a breakup wouldn’t actually make anything stronger between you. Like, come on, Laney, you’re still seeing and calling each other but aren’t dating? Is it even really a breakup? I get a migraine just thinking about this.”
A pair of bright headlights nearly blinds me as a lifted truck passes in the other lane. I tighten my slick grip on the steering wheel and squint at the small green sign up ahead.
“I know,” I say weakly.
