Page 34 of Casper
Ripley stared at me expectedly. The four of them put me on the spot, waiting for me to spill. Finally, I broke.
“First of all, it was fucking incredible.” My words drew a cheer from Athena. “I didn’t expect it to happen. We were actually arguing, then I might have slapped him. One thing led to another I guess.”
Storm giggled, nodding knowingly. “A solid slap has started many enjoyable nights for Rebel and me.”
Codie stared thoughtfully into her pink smoothie. “Stray and I are a bit more likely to pull a knife on each other, but I get it. Whatever gets the ball rolling.”
“You two are so unhinged,” Ripley laughed. “I like my men to be up for anything, although that might be more than I can handle.”
“Don’t knock it till you try it.” The smile Codie wore said everything. Turning back to me, she asked, “So what does that mean? Are you and Casper a thing now?”
The mischievous sparkle in her eyes made me shake my head. “You asked him that too, didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t know what it means. I guess we have to figure that out.” Against my better judgment, I added, “What did Casper say when you asked him?”
“Pretty much the same thing as you. For the record, I think the two of you make a great match. He’s so dark and mysterious while you’re so light and magical.” She sipped from her smoothie, leaving me to ponder her words.
“You don’t think we’re too different?” I frowned as my inner worries resurfaced. “I was afraid that his lifestyle would make it impossible for us to have a real future. How do you live with that? Don’t you ever worry that everything will blow up on the Kings and they’ll all end up dead or behind bars?”
I shrugged, wincing apologetically. I didn’t mean to be so bleak.
“Absolutely.” Storm was the first to admit it. She picked at the wrapper of a granola bar, twisting it between her fingers. “I think part of me will always worry about that. If I let it get the best of me, then it ruins everything Rebel and I have. I won’t let that happen. No matter how much time we have together, I want to enjoy every second.”
I appreciated her honesty. Her opinion made perfect sense. If I wanted to give Casper and me a chance, I had to embrace every moment as it happened. Worrying about what may be would only rob us of right now.
“It’s still pretty surreal at times,” Codie said. “When I’m with Stray it’s easy to forget about everything else. Then he’ll come home with a black eye or something, and I remember how dangerous his life really is. I trust him to know what he’s doing. I have to.”
Even though Codie herself had admitted that danger excited her, she seemed to share Storm’s grave concern as well as her determination to make the most of every day. If I continued forward on this path with Casper, I would have to do the same.
“I give all of you mad props,” Ripley said. She opened a box of chocolate covered peanuts, popping a few in her mouth. “I’m not sure I would have it in me to be with a man living such a dangerous life. I don’t think I could do it.”
Athena nodded, holding out her hand for some peanuts. “Same here. Although let’s be real. It’s unlikely that I’ll ever get serious with anyone.”
I studied her thoughtfully for a moment, wondering if she was truly happy living the player life. “Do you not want that?”
She considered my question while forming her response, tapping a perfectly manicured fingernail against her bottom lip. “Maybe one day. Right now I’m just having fun.”
Fair enough. I certainly had my share of fun as well. For the first time in a long time, I thought maybe there might be more out there for me.
“Let’s go on a triple date.” Codie pointed at me and Storm. “This weekend. It will be fun. Maybe we can meet up with Athena and Ripley at a party after. All of us.”
She was so intent on this triple date idea. Since I didn’t really have any reason to oppose, I shrugged and said, “All right. Let’s do it. What did you have in mind?”
While the conversation took a turn to the upcoming parties and plans for the weekend, I felt my phone buzz in my purse. Hoping it might be Casper, I pulled it out to find an unknown number on the screen. A text message from Jace. He must be using a different number this time.
Not ready to read it, I stuffed it back into my purse, doing my best to stay engaged in the conversation. Codie wanted to check out a dance club that had been growing in popularity. Storm and I were content to let her make the plans. Athena and Ripley were going to a frat party being held to celebrate the campus football team on a recent win. Any excuse to party.
When the girls all dispersed for their next class, I remained behind in the cafeteria. My next class was Tony’s, and I knew that he wouldn’t be there. Since I figured it was too soon for the university to know he was a missing person, I hung back. Maybe I’d get a few sign language lessons in while I waited for my last class of the day.
As much as I wanted to pretend it didn’t exist, Jace’s text message nagged at me. Finally, I had to look at it. Unable to resist any longer.
Great news, babe. I’ll be out of here next week. Can’t wait to see you.
I swallowed hard. This couldn’t be happening.
CHAPTER TWENTY
