“Text me what you want. I’ll order it in a few minutes.” On that last note, he walks past me into his bedroom and closes the door.
I’m left standing in the kitchen not having a clue who just walked into my apartment but I know for damn sure it wasn’t the Arden Davis that I know.
It’s a wonder I was able to make it through any of my classes today. The way Arden acted last night, the way he blew me off and wouldn’t let me see his phone…It was all a little more than strange.
We’ve never kept secrets from each other. We tell each other everything, almost to a fault. Even if he is seeing someone else, he should be man enough to tell me. I can handle it. I’m a big girl.
It’s late by the time I walk back into the apartment, having spent extra time studying with the anatomy group after lab today. I had texted Arden asking if he wanted some pizza on the way home but he didn’t answer. Still, I brought a whole pie just in case. Even if he isn’t hungry, he’ll still have some.
When I walk in the door, I can tell that Arden is in his room with the door slightly ajar. I drop the pizza box on the counter and go to say hi. He mumbles something and I can tell that he’s on the phone with someone.
Then he laughs and I breathe a sigh of relief. If he’s chuckling then he must be talking to Margot. Who else would he be giggling with on the phone? Arden laughs again into the phone so I walk up behind him and take it out of his hand.
“Hey, Mars bars.’’
The voice on the other side of the phone sends a shiver down my spine.
“I take it this is Danika.”
I’m frozen, my eyes shoot to Arden’s and he looks like he’s about to puke.
“And you are?”
“Why don't you ask Arden,” the very definitely female voice says calmly and I hand the phone back to him without a word. He says something along the lines of “talk later” and hangs up.
“Who was that Arden? Are you seeing someone else? Is it that blonde girl from the party?”
“Who?”
“Don’t act stupid. It’s beneath you. I saw you talking to her at the cafe, too. Is she the reason you’ve been pushing me away?”
“I’m not pushing you away, Danika.”
“Who was that? Why does she know my name?” I’m not so slowly losing my cool here. Who the hell is he talking to on the phone and why won’t he just tell me? I start narrowing down suspects in my head.
He's quiet for a moment as if wrestling with the truth. He finally opens his mouth. “It’s not the blonde girl. I am seeing someone but it's not what you think. I'm trying to deal with my messes here.”
“Well, what other woman would you be talking to? I know it’s not your mom.” He rears back as if I’d slapped him across the face. And I might as well have.
“Why the fuck would you say that?”
“I don’t know, I—” I pull my ring on and off my finger mindlessly.
“You know, I’ve spent a lot of time worrying that I’ll hurt you but maybe it’s the other way around.”
“What are you talking about?” His words are hurting me and mine are hurting him just as badly. “Arden?”
Arden takes in two deep breaths and lets them out slowly. He’s gripping his phone tightly in his fist. “I’m trying to sort myself out.” He speaks slowly, enunciating each word. “I’m seeing someone who helps me with that.”
Immediately I see red. Heisseeing someone else. Why the hell would he go back and forth with me when he clearly has interest in someone else? Someone who can help him “sort himself out”, whatever that means.
What needs to be sorted? And what does this girl have that I don’t? Why can’t he just let me all the way in?
Have I given him the chance?
He opens his mouth to say something but his ringtone sounds, calling both of our attention to the name on the screen.Katrina.
Arden throws his head back in exasperation. “Fucking perfect.” He ignores the call but the damage is done. I am fuming. He wants to have his friends-with-benefits cake and talk to other girls too? He wants to play me this way? Hell fucking no.