Page 59 of Bad Crush
“She showed up at my high school graduation asking for money. I guess she knew that I’d have extra cash coming in from relatives.”
Damn, that’s cold. I stroke her arm as she continues, “Janine and I moved to Valley the next week and I haven’t been back. I can’t forgive her.”
“You don’t have to,” I assure her. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to say, but it seems to calm her.
“Thank you for letting me steal you away for a few hours. I needed this.”
“It doesn’t have to end. Come on, let’s go back to my place.”
“What about your lab?”
“I’ll make it up.”
“No, I can’t let you do that.” Reagan straightens. “My shitty childhood isn’t taking any more from me, and it definitely isn’t touching you. I want to be good for you. Your dedication to school is something I’ve always found really attractive.”
“It wasn’t my stellar personality or flowing locks?” I ask and shake my head to make my hair fall in my face.
“I like those things, too,” she says and slips her fingers through my hair. Feels good.
“Are you okay? Really?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Seeing Janine brought it all up again.”
“Is that why you’ve avoided her?”
A small smile graces her lips. First genuine one I’ve seen since this morning. “How do you know I’ve avoided her?”
“You said you haven’t seen her in years. Valley campus isn’t that big, baby.”
* * *
Over the next two weeks,Reagan and I spend more time together than apart. I’m humming to myself in the locker room, looking forward to seeing her again just as soon as I get out of here. She should be finishing with rehearsal, and I’ll have her to myself all night.
Heath corners me before I can leave.
“We need to talk,” he says, looking nervous. Nervous can only mean one thing.
My heart skips several beats, and I see red. “What did you do to my sister?”
He flips me off. “Fuck you. This isn’t about Ginny.”
“Oh.” My shoulders relax. “What’s up?”
Heath laughs at me. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Noted.” I wave my hand for him to continue.
“It’s Rhett. I’m worried about him.”
I glance over to where he’s sitting on the bench, leaning forward and running a towel over his sweaty hair. “Seems fine to me.”
“Yeah, well, no offense, man, but you’re in a love bubble right now, so your judgment is shit.”
“Love bubble?”
“You’re completely engrossed in Reagan and this thing between you two, and you can’t see anything else.”
“I see you right now wasting my time.” Time I could be with Reagan. I leave that part out so I don’t add fuel to this love bubble theory.
