Page 30 of Told You So
Bethany lifts a perfect eyebrow and pulls her glossy bottom lip between her teeth. It only irritates me more. “Do I even want to know?” she asks.
“Sure—it’s like a game. The powers that be are toying with us. They’re testing me. It’s really funny, if you think about it.”
“You know what, Nick? You can laugh about this all you want, but this isn’t a joke to me. I need a good grade on this project, and if that means we have to suck it up and get over our shit, then I’m willing to do that. Are you?”
I’m a little stunned by her severity. “Ourshit?”
“Yes,” she bites back. “Ourshit. This—you. Your attitude.”
“Thisis because of you, one hundred percent.” I gesture between us.
“Really? And what did I do, exactly?” Bethany huffs and leans back in her seat.
“I have a whole list,” I tell her easily. “How much time do you have?”
She almost looks disgusted with me. “What are you, five?”
Knowing she’s feeling an ounce of the frustration I feel around her gives me a teensy bit of satisfaction, even if I know it’s juvenile. I’m tired of her indifference toward me, and right now she’s a captive audience.
When I don’t say anything, a sneer parts her lips like I’ve never seen. “You’re unbelievable. Did you drop your rose-colored glasses this morning, and on top of that, you have to have meas a partner? I’ve made your mood worse, haven’t I?” She tsks, mocking me.
“You don’t know anything about my morning,” I grind out.
“Yeah, your perfect life must suck.” She leans forward again, a venomous gleam in her eyes. “I’ll figure this out on my own. I don’t have time for this...Find a new partner.”
It all happens so fast, I don’t realize she’s gathered her things and exited the room until the door slams shut behind her. I don’t even have time to process anything before Professor Murray walks toward me.
I silently curse myself.
“Mr. Turner,” he drawls, glancing around the room at the students huddled in pairs. “Is there going to be an issue working with Miss Fairchild?”
I can’t bring myself to say yes, so I shake my head and stare out the door, wanting to go after her, if only to set the record straight. “No, sir,” I say instead. “We just had a misunderstanding.”
“See that it gets straightened out, Mr. Turner. Both of your graduations depend upon it.”
I nod again. It’s all I can do without losing my shit.
Thirteen
Nick
Three Years Ago
Hip-hop and laughter reach my ears before the roaring fire comes into view beyond the dunes. People collect around it, students and post-graduates alike, excited for the first official summer bonfire of the year. Despite Sam’s frown and slow footsteps, I think tonight might actually be fun, which we all desperately need.
I glance back at her and Mac. “Sam, if you keep making that face, no one is going to talk to you tonight,” I warn. “Which defeats the purpose of getting out and living a little.”
“Yeah, come on, Sam,” Mac says, nudging her a little. The wind picks up, catching Mac’s dark hair in a frenzy. She smooths it down and leans in to loop her arm through Sam’s, tugging her closer. “You need to join the land of the young, wild, and free again at some point. Tonight’s as good a night as any, right? Booze, shadows to hide in, enough people-watching to keep you distracted...Besides, you love the beach, and it’s a beautiful night.” I can hear the concern beneath layers of pep and joviality in Mac’s voice, a concern we both share. But, whether it’s a girl thing or just their friendship, Mac has a way with Sam that I never will. So, I walk a little further ahead, trying to give them more space.
“I know it’s hard, Sam,” Mac continues, “but it’s been months. You can’t stay holed-up at the ranch forever. Your dad wouldn’t want you to miss out on your life because of him.” Her voice is low but soft, and she’s got Sam this close to the land of the living again, which is saying something.
“Look, I appreciate your intervention, you guys,” Sam says loud enough for me to hear. “But this isn’t about Papa right now.”
“It’s not?” Mac glances between us.
Sam shakes her head. “No—well, not really.”
Shoving my hands in my sweatshirt, I stop and wait for them to pass me, curious to hear her answer.
