“Nah. Evans isn’t done with that sorority chick. Did you know she’s her best and only friend? They’ve been sneaking around behind her back for weeks.”
My grip tightens around the coffee cup, but I refuse to move because I know it’s a lie. Jenni and Zach? That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. Zach hates her.
But they’re saying it loud enough because they want me to hear it. They want me to question Zach’s loyalty as if I haven’t had to question that with every other man in my life.
“Oh my god. Did you see how messed up she was last week after she got back from giving him head?”
My breath catches and I hate the way it makes me wonder if I’m missing something. Are there videos online that prove Zach’s words are just that—words? Or is everyone really hell-bent on me never being happy?
I keep my head down and focus back on the blank screen. The very blank screen, which only makes my stomach buzz and burn with all those thoughts I was trying to push away.
“Sorry I’m late,” Chris says, sliding onto the couch beside me. “My last class ran over because my professor thinks he’s a stand-up comedian.”
I manage a smile, grateful to see a friendly face… one who’s not judging my every move. “No worries. I just got here too.”
Lie, but I don’t want to make him feel bad for leaving me on my own for twenty minutes. I should be allowed to be outside the confines of Zach’s house without being bothered by everyone.
He sets a drink on the table and nudges it toward me. “Got you a caramel latte. You mentioned it was your favorite last time, and I figured you needed a top-up.”
I keep my focus on the chocolate heart sprinkled on the top of the foam, centering myself. This is what I deserve. True friendship.
“Thank you,” I say, finally lifting my gaze to his—but I only hold it for a second, worried that he’ll see something I don’t want him to.
“Is everything okay?”
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The sharp buzz of my phone saves me from having to explain myself.
“Sorry,” I say as I reach for it. “I’m just going to turn the notifications off.”
“No problem.”
Zach:Just heading into practice then I’m going out for dinner with Jacob tonight. Are you around in between? I miss you so much, Honeycomb, I need to hear your voice.
I smile at the message, ready to agree, but another notification comes through.
Unknown:Zach’s cheating…. But that doesn’t stop you from having a little fun too, right? Everyone can see what you’re doing, jersey chaser.
“Who’s that from?” Chris asks from over my shoulder.
“Uh.” Before I can come up with an answer, loud laughter cuts through the café. At the table across from us, a brunette I vaguely recognize from my dorm, is making no effort to keep her voice down.
“…thinks she’s so special because she’s dating the quarterback. Now she’s fucking the hockey dude the second he’s out of town?”
Heat crawls up my neck, and the urge to defend myself is strong, but the fear over what that would look like overtakes me. What would I even say?
“Classic social climber,” another one adds. “I heard she did the same thing at her high school. Used some guy to get close to Evans, dumped him the minute Zach said ‘suck.’ Now she’s playing the same game.”
A third snorts. “What do you even call that? A jersey chaser with a side of puck bunny?”
“An opportunist.”
They all laugh, and the silence around the other tables doesn’t go unnoticed. Everyone would’ve heard it.
I stare down at my coffee like maybe I’ll find my dignity at the bottom of the cup, but all I see is the tremble of my hand as I lift it.
Chris’s gaze snaps up, his brow furrowing when he catches the stiff way I’m sitting. I’m hoping he’s only asking about the message on my phone and that he didn’t hear them.