Page 14 of Before You
“What do I think about what?” he asks, yawning.
“If I were dating Wilson, and he was cheating on me, would you tell me, or let me find out on my own?”
“Fuck that, you’re not dating Wilson.”
“Henry, it’s a hypothetical question.”
“No. There isn’t a universe where we’re not together, and I’d rather die than cheat on you, so I’m not even going to entertain the stupid hypothetical question,” he says, and Mirabelle laughs.
Awesome, this has been so helpful.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. JJ, he’s getting grumpy, but we can try to figure this out tomorrow. Try to get some sleep, okay? I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say, hanging up. I double check the volume on my ringer in case tonight is the night Bailey calls, it’s loud enough to pull me from even the deepest sleep.
I don’t fall asleep for a long while, spending hours staring at the ceiling as I wait for the darkness to drag me under.
CHAPTER FOUR
Marley
I SLIDE INTO the front seat of Trent’s Corvette, trying to contain my excitement. The football team is having a party, and I’m actually planning to be social tonight.
I’ve made a couple of friends in my classes, but if I’m being honest, I struggle with trusting people, so I have a hard time making friends. My core circle I don’t stray from often includes my little brother, Kaden, my mom’s best friend’s kid, Leo, and Bria. I learned the hard way when I was younger that people will stop at nothing to tear you down.
Too bad Kaden defaulted on his plan to attend Beaumont to attend the University of Milan with his boyfriend. I can’t blame him, though. One of us being here can fly under the radar, but both of us attending Beaumont would be far more interesting. He’s never shunned the spotlight from our last name, but he has zero interest in the family business.
Leaning over the center console, I kiss Trent hello before even shutting the door.
“To think it’s only been a couple of hours since I’ve seen you. Miss me?” he asks, smiling as I pull the door shut behind me.
“I did,” I say, smiling. When I look at him again, Trent pulls me into another kiss, taking it deeper than the one I initiated. Despite seeing him earlier today for lunch, I haven’t seen Trentmuch between classes starting and football practices in full swing.
“I’m glad because I missed you too.”
Trent shifts the car into drive, and I lean back in my seat, fidgeting with the ring on my thumb, my nerves beginning to get the better of me. “So who is going to be at this party?”
“Probably most of the cheerleaders and the dance team, but the entire football team for sure. Actually, you have to know someone on the team to even get into the party,” he explains, but logistically, it doesn’t make sense to me. If it’s a house party, then can’t anyone just show up? How is everyone on the team supposed to know who should and shouldn’t be there?
JJ will be there, my brain reminds me, and my heart involuntarily races in my chest. How am I supposed to be with Trent, when even the thought of being in the same house as JJ is enough to make my heart do cartwheels in my chest? I shove the thought to the back of my head, because I can’t be sitting next to my boyfriend as I consider the idea of breaking up with him. This is so messed up, but my head hasn’t stopped spinning since seeing JJ again, and I’m not sure how to feel about it.
“Oh, cool. Sounds very exclusive,” I say, trying to sound interested, and Trent straightens in his seat.
“It is. Are you still planning on staying the night tonight?” he asks, glancing over at me.
“Yep,” I reply, forcing my smile to remain bright when in all honesty, it only makes me feel guilty. I’ve avoided Trent’s house the past few days because I don’t want to make things awkward for JJ. He agreed to be my friend, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to rub it in his face that I’m dating his roommate.
Trent rests his hand on my knee, pulling me back to reality. “You look great,” he says, squeezing reassuringly. “I promise I didn’t forget to tell you when you got in the car. You distracted me.”
“Thanks,” I say, resting my hand on top of his, squeezing it as he turns down a street. My nerves spike as the sound of a booming bass gets louder the closer we get to the end of the street, and it sounds like the football team knows how to party.
Trent parks the car, climbing out. I follow his lead, exhaling anxiously, second guessing my plan to be social now that I’m actually here.
“Are you going to be okay to drive us back to your place later, or should I hold onto the keys?” I ask, knowing I’m not going to drink, but Trent shakes his head.
“I’ll only have two beers, and I’ll be fine by the time we leave.”
I’d prefer if he was staying completely sober before driving, but I guess if he doesn’t stick to two beers, I can always take the keys later.
