Page 124 of The Forbidden Freshman

Megan: So that’s it. You’re just gonna ignore me? Probably because you can’t justify your stupid behavior.

Megan: Mom was right to cut you off.

That last one stung like a bitch. I turned my phone off for two whole days after that. It was only the thought of Ray not being able to reach me that forced me to turn the thing back on. That, and Ethan getting frustrated with the fact that he couldn’t contact me. He had a really funny joke to tell me the other day, but he’d forgotten it by the time he got home.

“If I could have texted you, I wouldn’t have forgotten.”

“You could have just texted it anyway, and I would have seen it when I eventually turn my phone back on.”

He shot me a droll look. “It’s not the same. Turn your phone back on, lil’ mouse. Please.”

I gave in with a sigh, although I haven’t fully ruled out buying a cheap burner phone that’s just for Ethan and me.

While it was off, I’d missed several calls from Ray and a bunch of texts. She forgave me after I explained what went down but then made me promise not to do that to her again. She was getting ready to drive to Colorado and hunt me down.

So, I’m now contactable once more, and apart from Ethan and Ray, my phone’s been basically silent. I should be stoked about this, but somehow it’s like a bruise that just keeps getting bigger and more tender.

My mother, just like my father, has dumped me. Walked away because I didn’t do what I was told. I wasn’t good enough, and it cuts like a freaking knife through my heart.

Shoving my device a little farther away from me, I lean over my textbook, then glance up when my computer dings. It’s an email from my marketing professor with the link for our next assignment outline. I procrastinate on my current essay to read up about it and am actually looking forward to diving into this thing. My mind is already buzzing with ideas, and I’m trying not to get bogged down by the fact that I’m gonna have to put all this on hold soon.

I’m being stubborn about getting a student loan. I really don’t want to be saddled with a bunch of debt, so I think my best plan is to just see the semester out, then get a job and save every penny I can. Maybe I can take some community college classes—night classes or something—and keep chipping away at my degree until I have enough money to attend and get the qualifications I need.

It’s not preferable at all, but what other choices do I have?

“Oh wow, it’s the deserter.”

I glance up and spot Teah hovering near my table. She’s looking a lot hurt and a little annoyed with me. Still. Bella hovers next to her, trying to throw me the evils as well, although she doesn’t seem as invested.

And then Fiona swans up. Oh joy.

Between the three of them, I’m getting the stare-down of a lifetime. It’s basically impossible to ignore, so I just lean back in my chair and face it.

“I’m surprised you guys aren’t over this yet. Don’t you have better things to do with your time than obsess over the fact that I don’t want to be part of your little club?”

“It’s not a club!” Fiona gasps, her indignation almost comical. “It’s a sorority, you clueless loser.”

I roll my eyes.

“I can’t believe you chose that manwhore over us.” Teah’s trying to be snarking, but again, it’s coming out all wounded and raspy.

She’s taking this really personally, and I wish she wouldn’t. I don’t even get why. It’s not like we were best buddies. Unless she’s harboring some kind of secret crush on Ethan and it’s just jealousy. Since they posted those pictures of Ethan’s stricken face all over social media with headlines likeHockey star burned by freshman bitchandThe mighty man goes down in burning flames, we’ve had to counter the rippling rumors with some open PDA. We’re together. We’re in love. And I think almost everyone on campus knows it.

Which has led to a variety of reactions. Girls still swoon and flirt around Ethan as if I’m not even standing there. Some of them sidle up to me, checking just how serious our relationship is and can I see it lasting. And then there’s the ones who are just plain pissed.

Like the Sig Be sisters, and any other campus girl who thinks I either don’t deserve Ethan or I’m a fool to fall for him.

Aimee thinks I’m the worst, but that’s because she didn’t best me.

I mean, I guess she kind of did. At this stage, I’m gonna be out of here by the end of the semester, but like hell she’s gonna see me cry over it.

“You’re gonna be sorry.” Fiona shakes her head.

I raise my eyebrows. “Is that some kind of threat?”

“No,” Bella scoffs. “It’s consequences. You chose a guy who’s gonna cheat on you over sisters who would have had your back no matter what.”

“He’s not going to cheat on me.”

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