Page 56 of Running Winter

Rayna:

You're really something, you know that asshole?

Rafe:

I'm being straight, Rayna. Sooner or later, you're gonna want that fairy tale, and you'll be watching Chase live his from the sidelines.

Rayna:

So will you.

Rafe:

Did I look like I was seeking a fairy tale last night?

Rayna:

Looked good to me.

What the fuck? I stared at the phone, shaking my head in disbelief.

Rafe:

That's what you want?! Being fucked by some guy in a club restroom? Jesus Christ.

Rayna:

Do you want anything else, Rafe? I'm over this conversation.

Rafe:

Nah. You're good.

If you asked me, Chase had a lucky escape.

Or did he?

Maybe I could tell him about this little conversation, and he could show her he wasn't all serious and lovely.

Chase needed to relax, and Rayna wanted fun; so why didn't they do that together?

I popped some pills from my bedside before closing my eyes again.

Today could already fuck off with its dramatics.

I MISS YOU

C H A S E

Three months later…

The doorbell rang, and I zipped up my duffel bag, waiting for my mom to answer the door. Instead, the doorbell rang again, and I frowned.

Has Mom gone out?

I had a flight to catch early tomorrow morning, and I was determined to get a decent sleep. I never slept on planes, and I didn't want to miss a second of UCLA. Rafe was coming, and he couldn't give a fuck about the study program. All he wanted to check out was the girls.

I skipped down the stairs, the dark outline of the person at the door vaguely visible through the frosted glass, but my stomach lurched when I realized who it was.

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