Page 84 of What are the Risks
Gretchen headed straight for the bathroom, bypassing the mess on the floor. My usually tidy-ish room had things strewn everywhere. While Ruby’s suitcase was neatly perched in the corner, Gretchen’s duffle was overspilling with clothes, makeup and other girly things that I had no clue what they were used for.
I’d never had a girl’s overnight bag in my room... besides Ruby’s.
I’d never been driven crazy simply by kissing a girl... other than with Ruby.
I’d never wanted to murder Evan before – or Joey for that matter – until they’d shown an interest in Ruby.
I was starting to sense a theme here...
I liked Ruby.
Ilikedmy best friend.
But given she’d run off after I kissed her and then told me she wanted to pretend it hadn’t happened, it wasn’t exactly promising that she felt the same way.
When Gretchen came out of the bathroom, she headed straight for the mirror to adjust her short dress. That dress would’ve had me drooling a few months ago. But now? Zilch.
“Care to fill me in on the charade?” I asked, meeting Gretchen’s gaze through the mirror.
“Charade?”
“Pretending we’re dating, or whatever it is you’re doing.”
“Oh. I thought it would help with your best friend drama. Jealousy has a way of revealing people’s true feelings.”
“Ruby doesn’t feel a thing. She told me to act like it never happened.”
“Ouch. I’m sorry,” Gretchen winced, sounding sincere.
While the cheerleaders at Phil-U had a reputation for stirring up drama, Gretchen seemed like an exception. Lindsay and Kyah had always come across as nice enough too. Maybe the reputation only stuck because their captain, Summer Spritz, was the very definition of a mean girl.
Gretchen faced me, her glossy lower lip pulled between her teeth. “I apologise if I overstepped. I honestly just stopped by to check your room so that I could get into the gym. But then when Ruby introduced herself... I got a little carried away.” Her shoulders slumped with defeat. “I thought it might help.”
I brushed her apology off. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing is going to happen with Ruby and me. We’re just friends.”
I’d spent my whole life telling people that, but now it was beginning to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I didn’t want to stop being friends, but I wanted to shake thejustpart.
We’re friends who kiss.
We’re friends who touch.
We’re friends who fool around.
“We don’t have to head back down yet if you’re not ready,” Gretchen said, slowly kneeling in front of me and resting her hands on my thighs. “I haven’t given youmybirthday present yet.”
If I was to guess, my gift was likelyherbirthday outfit. Despite having enjoyed that ridiculously perky gift before, the thought of it did nothing to me anymore.
The last time we’d hooked up, I’d been trying to distract myself from the fact that I was seeing Ruby in a way I shouldn’t. Now I knew those feelings were more than just attraction, the idea of another girl made my skin crawl.
Sensing my lack of interest, Gretchen got back to her feetand looked around the room. Her curious eyes landed on Warren. He was perched on a chair beside the mirror, looking as green as ever. I’d watered him this morning.
“I didn’t take you as a green thumb.”
“It was a gift from Ruby in freshman year,” I explained. “I’ve somehow kept it alive the past four years.”
“Props. My indoor plants never last more than a week.” She continued to snoop, moving around until she reached the perfume on the dresser. “Do you mind if I use this?”
I nodded. “It’s Ruby’s. I’m sure she wouldn’t care.”
