Page 171 of Rock Me All Night
No. Meg has a tiny, tiny studio. She stays up until three a.m. studying every night. And her whole building smells like sushi.
Not that Nadeen cares. As long as she gets what she wants with as little friction as possible, she's happy.
As long as my wishes don't impose on hers, she's happy.
I fight the anger rising in my gut. "We agreed I would live her until school ended."
Nadeen frowns. "I'm so sorry, Kara. It was Alex's idea, but I really do want to live with him. And you'll be okay. I can help you find a new place."
"No thanks."
It's ten steps to my room and I'm away from Nadeen's desperate need to feel less guilty. I take them like it's no big deal. There really is no sense in starting a fight.
I step into my room and press the door closed. Finally, I can breathe properly.
This room isn't much, but it's been mine for the last six months. It's nice. It's comfortable.
This is a hassle, but it's not the end of the world.
I can figure it out.
Music. I need something to calm me down. I put my iTunes on shuffle and blast the volume. A rock song kicks on. It drowns out every bit of conscious thought in my brain.
I throw myself onto my bed and pull the covers over my head. It's calmer here. I'm alone. No one expects me to be their bubbly, supportive friend. No one expects me to take bad news without batting an eye. No one expects me to accept their bullshit half-hearted apologies.
The song changes. A familiar guitar riff fills the air. Damn. It's something off the last Sinful Serenade album.
That's Drew playing the guitar.
My stomach twists. I skip to the next track. I don't have time to deal with moving. Finance test tomorrow. Internship all day Tuesday. Essay due Wednesday.
My cell phone ring grabs my attention. I glance at the screen. Speak of the devil.
It's Drew.
I turn my music off and answer the call. Deep breath. Drew cannot, under any circumstance, know I'm upset.
"Hello." My voice is steady.
"You up for looking at apartments Tuesday around eight?" he asks.
"Yeah, sure. As long as I finish my essay." My voice cracks. Shit.
"Kara—"
"I have to study. I'll see you Tuesday. Just text me the address where we should meet."
"There's something in your voice."
"Remember how we talked about you minding your own business?" I ask.
"I'm afraid I don't recall."
A laugh breaks up the tension in my throat. He makes me feel so mixed up, but I have to keep up myeverything is okayroutine. Drew is so overprotective. He'll butt in and try to help, and I want to handle this on my own.
"I'll see you Tuesday." I hang up before he can respond.
My heart sinks. But that doesn't make any sense. It's not like I want to talk to Drew about this.
