Page 53 of Collide
I scramble for an excuse. “We met at a diner last night. She used my phone and must’ve accidentally taken it.”
“A diner? Are you sure?”
“Yup.”
Her glare sends me a step back. The guys have already moved onto the sidewalk. Cowards.
“Here.” Bethany shoves my phone into my hand. Before I can thank her, she slams the door shut. What is it with women and slamming doors in my face?
Summer
[10:00 am]
Summer: As much as it pains me to admit it, I had fun last night.
Summer: See you at noon!
[11:30 am]
Summer: Meet me at Advanced Imaging. Behind Carver Hall.
[11:42 am]
Summer: Please don’t be late. Dr. Toor is going on paternity leave this week.
[11:55 am]
Summer: Aiden???
[11:58 am]
Summer: If this is some type of sick joke, it’s not funny.
Summer: I swear to god if you don’t show up in two minutes, I won’t ever speak to you again.
“Twenty bucks says she socks him in the face.”
“I’m thinking knee to the balls.”
“Maybe she’ll beat him with his hockey stick before Kilner gets the chance.”
The guys pop off with their unamusing predictions of my plight. But I know, of all things she can do, the worst is if she ignores me.
When I spot her crossing the street to her dorm, I tell Dylan to stop.“Don’t want to rush you, man, but we’re late,” he says as I hop out.
To my dismay, Summer doesn’t turn when I call her name and instead walks faster. “Summer.” I take hold of her arm.
She jerks out of my hold, skewering me with an angry look.
I deflate. “It slipped my mind. I lost my phone last night.”
Her gaze flicks behind me to the car full of guys watching us. I hear a bunch ofHi, Summer’s from the peanut gallery, and she gives them a half smile.
“I made a mistake,” I continue.
“A mistake?” She scoffs. “Dr. Toor and I waited an entire hour for you! I’ve been reminding you about this for weeks. Losing your phone shouldn’t even matter.”
“I know. I don’t want to give you any excuses. I fucked up, and I want to make up for it.”
