Page 29 of Catch
“Yep.”
Archie made to walk in Ethan’s direction, but I tap his forearm.
“Leave it. He read the whole situation wrong, but he was only trying to protect his friend. Even though there’s nothing to protect. Gage and I were talking about the queer campus club.”
“Okay, guys, one more round and then we’re heading to Boots!” Jace calls out.
“I’m gonna go home,” I whisper.
“No way, you have to come out with us,” Archie insists.
“I’ve got class early in the morning.”
“You can sleep on the weekend.”
I turn to my friend and shake my head.
“It’s been a long day, Arch, and I’m done.”
I put aside my heartbreak about Renner as much as I could today, but reality is setting in, and I don’t know if it’s the alcohol talking, but I need to be alone.
“I’ll walk you back,” Hudson offers.
“Thanks.”
“You’re not coming to Boots either?” Archie asks.
“I’ll meet you there in a bit,” Hudson replies.
They give each other a look, and I’m not sure what the silent communication is about, but I’m suddenly too tired to question it. Hudson and I start making the rounds to say our goodbyes to everyone, but I notice Ethan is already gone. Where to, I have no idea.
I should be relieved. Strangely, I’m not.
The walk back across campus is quiet. Whenever I have a problem, I tend to retreat into myself until I work out a solution. Hudson knows this about me, and I appreciate that he doesn’t push. I’m tired, and all I want is my bed, and maybe another cry too.
“Rowing practice is coming up,” Hudson finally says as we enter the dorm. “And our first competition too. You excited?”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. The lake is my happy place.”
There’s nothing like an early morning row to start the day. The workout, the scenery, and most of all, being with my friends, is a combination that’s hard to beat.
When we arrive at my room, I notice an orange Post-It note stuck to my door.
CALL ME. WE NEED TO TALK. REN.
Hudson makes a gagging noise, and I yank the note off the door and rip it up into pieces.
“He’s only chasing me because he’s not getting his way. In another week, he’ll forget my name.”
If only things were that simple with Ethan.
CHAPTER 8
JETT
A WEEK LATER
I’m in a great mood and it’s no wonder; I haven’t seen or heard from my liar of an ex since the day I caught him cheating. Maybe my luck is finally shifting for the better.
