Page 69 of Keeping Kaitlyn

Laughing, I send a reply.

Me: Okay. I’ll be home soon.

Ryan: I’d rather you just wait and walk home with Grace.

Because I don’t want to argue with him, I don’t answer. Shoving my phone into my back pocket on a sigh, I settle in to patiently wait my turn to use the bathroom while the girls behind me chatter and gossip about people I’ve never heard of.

Did you hear about McKayla? Tanner caught her in the bathroom at the Kappa house with Justin Babbit.

I was there. It wasn’t just Justin—it was JustinandIan.

I hooked up with Ian over spring break—I get it. I’d risk it all for a piece of that too.

Holy shit. Don’t look but that hot as fuck bouncer is standing about ten feet away and looking right at us.

Which one? They’re both hot as fuck.

The tattooed one at the door—the one who was flirting with you earlier.

Oh my god—are you serious?

Curiosity getting the better of me because I know that thehot as fuck bouncerwithout tattoos is undoubtedly Declan, so that would mean that the onewithtattoos must be the ex he and Tess were talking about, I toss what I hope to god looks like a casual glance over my shoulder to sneak a peek?—

And there he is, staring back at me.

Went.

As soon as we locked eyes, I watched his dark, straight brows slam down over his devil back gaze and his mouth open like he was about to say something but before he could make a sound, a fight broke out to his immediate left—some guy threw a beer bottle and hit another guy in the face—Went turning away from me and toward the commotion, only when a woman, caught in the middle, screams.

While everyone who was in the line behind me gathered around to watch, I somehow managed to uproot my feet fromthe floor and run, sliding and weaving my way through the crowd. When I got to the door, I didn’t even look at Tess. I just pushed my way past her with asee you laterand kept moving. Didn’t stop until I was home.

That was nearly three hours ago and I’ve been working at convincing myself that it was just wishful thinking or maybe just full-blown craziness. After years of looking and searching for a glimpse of Went, I finally lost my shit and started hallucinating him. I nearly convinced myself that I was crazy but then Grace texted me and ruined everything.

Grace: hey—did you leave? Is everything okay?

Me: Yeah, everything’s fine. I started feeling a little claustrophobic and wanted to get out of there before the real craziness started. I’m already home.

Grace: LOL – don’t tell Ryan. He already texted me to tell me that I’m supposed to make Went walk you home too.

Went is the co-worker that walks Grace home from work.

He’s also Tess’s ex-boyfriend.

Heart flopping around in my chest, I tap out a reply with shaky fingers.

Me: I won’t tell him if you won’t.

Grace: LOL – deal.

Grace: It’s not too late to come back. Patrick called last call about an hour ago. Tess is hungry so some of us are heading to Benny’s for breakfast. I can ask Went to come get you.

Me: I appreciate the offer but I’m already in bed. See you tomorrow.

Hands still shaking, I just stand here, in the middle of my apartment, unsure of what to do next.

Shower and go to bed.

Go get Mookie even though Ryan said he’d keep him until morning and bring him home.

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