Page 15 of Collateral Damage
“He’s constantly fucking Sybil in there,” I say angrily. At least, that’s how I mean to sound, but it comes out all slurred and sad, like I’m on the verge of tears. I’m not. “And then I have to find somewhere else to crash, and it’s annoying.”
“He does the same for you when you bring a girl over,” Perry points out.
“Not the same.”
“Right, because Sybil is the girl you’ve secretly been in love with for years?” Perry asks.
“Yeah,” I choke out, immediately regretting my confession. “Wait. No. Wait. Don’t say anything.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Perry assures me with a light chuckle. “You can trust me, don’t worry. But it’s not like you’re inconspicuous. I’ve suspected your crush for years, man.”
I grimace, my head starting to pound.
“Next year will be better,” he continues. “We’re getting that off-campus house, remember? Separate bedrooms.”
“Thank Jesus,” I slur out, not sure if I mean it.
Next year’s housing arrangementsweresupposed to be better, but then Ethan and Sybil made plans to share the primary suite like a fucking married couple. So, it might actually be worse. I’ll have to live with them playing house.
We round the corner, only to find the pair of lovebirds in a passionate embrace. My stomach curdles, but I let out a low whistle to fake how I’m really feeling inside. God, I’m pathetic.
“Get a room,” Perry yells, and the couple breaks apart.
I drop my head low, letting the hair fall to shadow my face.
“Are you drunk, Cooper?” Ethan asks, the judgment thick. “I know it’s not abnormal for college freshmen to drink a lot, but you’ve been getting blackout drunk every weekend like it’s your second job.”
“Shut up,” I grumble, but I’m already half asleep, leaning against the wall of a man that is Perry.
Sybil puts her hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
I gaze at her, admiring the way her hair looks vibrant red under the streetlight. She’s so fucking pretty. “Valentine, did you get your studying done?”
I duck from under Perry’s arm and practically fall into Sybil, but Ethan catches me. “Hey brother, why don’t we go find you some water and a bed?”
I keep my gaze on the girl of my dreams. “Well? Are you ready for the final?”
She nods, and I smile, pointing between her and my brother, trying to pretend all is fucking right with the world. “You two?You’re good for each other. Everybody says so. Everybody knows so.” Shit, my words are slurring again.
Her eyebrows furrow together and those pretty lips pout. “Really, are you okay?”
“Never better.”
Ethan and Perry help me to the dorm, and while part of me feels bad that my brother has to babysit a drunk tonight, most of me is pretty damn happy with how this night is ending. Me in my bed. Ethan in his. And Sybil in the next building over.
But my joy doesn’t last long. I fall asleep quickly, my heart aching in my chest. It shouldn’t ache so badly when I’ve never given it to anyone. I shouldn’t care this much. Why do I fucking care this much?
I need to get over her, and it’s killing me that I can’t.
Seven
Cooper
Past - Age 19
I’m half asleep when Sybil’s hand runs down my chest, feather-light fingers drawing goosebumps across my bare skin.
I must be dreaming. I’ve been having a lot of dreams about her lately—a byproduct of forced proximity. Maybe. Or maybe it’s because I always dream of that woman.
