Page 102 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
The conversation around us has quieted, and I realize people are watching us, whispering behind their hands. To them, this probably looks like exactly what the rumours suggest: me running back to Cher after breaking Ethan's heart. The thought makes me sick.
"I should go," turning in my chair I start to stand.
"Wait." Cher reaches out, grabbing my wrist. "I really am sorry, Tyler. For everything. I miss how things used to be between us, before all this drama."
Something about her touch feels calculated, making me ease her hand away. "There's no going back, Cher. Even if Ethan never speaks to me again, you and I are done."
A flash of something, anger? Frustration? Crosses her face before she masks it with a sad smile. "I understand. But I'm here for you, as a friend. I care about you, Tyler."
As she says this, she gets up and comes around the table, hugging me in what looks like she's trying to comfort me.But her body pushes against mine in a way that feels on purpose, too close, and wrong for the talk we're having.
Stepping back, I firmly set her away from me. "Don't."
She blinks up at me with wide, innocent eyes. "It was just a hug."
"No, it wasn't," The words come out quiet but certain. "And I think you know that."
I can feel people watching us, probably adding this to all the campus gossip. Leaving a few bucks on the table for my coffee, which I hardly drank, I walk to the door, not listening when Cher calls after me.
The fresh air feels so good after how stuffy it was in the coffee shop. I walk fast back to the frat house with my thoughts all jumbled up. What Cher just did seemed planned, as if she wanted people to see it. Her acting, all apologetic and comforting, would look perfect to anyone watching. Just helps everyone believe that stupid story about me cheating on Ethan with her.
But why? What does she gain from this elaborate charade?
The answer seems pretty clear: she wants to get back together, but something about that just doesn't feel right. The Cher I used to date was clingy and sometimes played mind games, but this kind of planning feels different. More sinister.
By the time I reach the fraternity house, my headache has returned full force. All I want is to collapse back into bed and pull the covers over my head until this nightmare somehow resolves itself. But as I open the front door, I'm greeted by chaos.
Gavin is standing in the center of the living room; a man is dangling over his shoulder. For one wild, hopeful moment, I think it might be Ethan that Gavin haskidnapped him again to make him listen to me. But this man is larger than Ethan, with neat blonde hair instead of Ethan's reddish-blonde.
Gavin puts him down and holds him by the scruff of his neck like a disobedient puppy. The stranger, who's tall and slim, looks terrified, his eyes darting around the room, where several of my fraternity brothers have formed a loose circle.
"What's going on?" The door clicks shut behind me.
Gavin's face lights up when he sees me. "Tyler! Perfect timing. I found our proof." He gives the stranger a little shake. "Tell him what you told me."
The man looks like he might faint. "I… I didn't know what they were going to use them for. I swear. It was just a job."
"What was just a job?" I ask, stepping closer. "Who is this?"
"This," Gavin says triumphantly, "is our smoking gun. James and I spent all night analyzing those photos. The manipulation was good, but not perfect. We found evidence they were doctored, but we needed to know who did it."
"So naturally, you kidnapped someone," I say dryly.
"Let's call this aggressive recruitment," Gavin corrects. "James tracked the digital signature to a computer in the digital arts building. We staked it out this morning, and sure enough, this guy shows up looking nervous as hell."
"I do graphics design on the side," the stranger says, his voice small. "Like photo editing for extra cash. Design projects, touching up graduation photos, that kind of thing."
"And photoshopping people into compromising positions?" James asks sharply.
The man's face flushes with guilt. "They said it was for a prank. A harmlessjoke between friends."
A cold feeling spreads through my chest. "They? Who's they?"
The man looks down, refusing to meet my eyes. Gavin gives him another gentle shake. "Tell him."
"A girl and a guy," he mumbles. "I didn't know their names. The girl was pretty, with blonde hair. The guy was taller, kind of preppy looking."
"Cher and who?" I demand, stepping closer. "What did the guy look like?"
