The thought sours my stomach. Of course, not telling them is still lying, but this is the tip of the iceberg of things I haven’t told them. Things I’d rather die over than to say out loud.
Turning the corner, I pass the campus bookstore. I really do need to call Lucy and check in. She usually travels with her family during the summer, but I need to make sure she’s still wanting to get an apartment. Of course, if she doesn’t, maybe I can stay at the club with Bash and Razor. That actually makes me smile.
I dial Lucy. When it goes to voicemail, I leave a message.
“Hey girl. Sorry I haven’t been around. The new job’s keeping me busy. Plus, I’ve been seeing someone. We need to meet up soon and catch up. Bye!”
I end the call just as my phone buzzes.
Lucy: Sorry I couldn’t answer. I’m with the fam. You’re seeing someone? OMG! Yes, let’s plan on dinner Friday night, at 6. Bring the boytoy and I’ll bring mine!
Me: Andrew!?!?
Lucy: I don’t kiss and tell!
Me: Get it, girl! See you Friday!
I send a group message to Razor and Bash.
Me: My old roommate wants to do dinner on Friday. Do y’all want to come?
Bash: What time on Friday?
Me: 6
Bash: I’m down.
Razor doesn’t reply, which means he’s still sleeping. I grin to myself. Lucy is going to shit a brick if I show up with both of them, but I really want her to meet them, which says a lot. I’m about to turn the corner when someone calls out my name. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Chase jogging toward me. He wheezes as he catches up to me, and he bends at the waist, putting his hands on his knees as he tries to catch his breath.
“Sorry. Asthma.”
I wait until he’s breathing normally.
“You’re a very hard person to get ahold of, Olivia.”
“Sorry. I’ve been busy.”
It’s not a lie. I just don’t tell him what I’ve been busy doing. My cheeks feel warm just thinking of the things I’ve done with Bash. And Razor.
I pull my phone out and look at it. “I don’t see any texts from you.”
“I don’t have your number, since you never texted me back. I’ve been asking Lucy to let you know I wanted to talk.”
“Oh gosh. I totally dropped the ball. I’m so sorry. Give me your number again and I’ll text it right now.”
He spouts off his number.
“There. Now you have mine.”
“Thanks.” He grins. “These summer classes are already kicking my butt. That’s what I get for taking the speed courses instead of the regular ones. Guess my dads were right when they said I’d regret partying so much sooner or later.”
“How many speed courses are you taking?”
“Three. Plus, the math class I have to retake.”
He physically looks like he’s in pain, so I reach out and pat his arm.
“You’ve got this, Chase.”
“I’m glad someone has faith in me. Which is why I chased you down. I was hoping we could get together tonight. I have a big test on Friday and I don’t think I’m going to pass it.”
“I have to go into work at eight, but I think we can study for a bit if you’re free now.”
He grins. “Thank god. Otherwise, I was going to have to explain to my dads why I failed. Again.”
“Is your place nearby?”
“Yeah. It’s a few blocks over.”
We walk, talking about how hot it’s supposed to get today and if it’s going to rain. I can honestly say I’ve never made idle chitchat with someone about the weather. It’s kind of cute how nervous he is around me. When we reach his building, I feel a flicker of dismay.
I’ve met a client here before.
“How long have you lived here?”
“Since sophomore year. Andrew and I live with another buddy. It’s not fancy, but it pays the bills.”
“Cool.”
“Andrew said you and Lucy are getting an apartment next semester. It’d be cool if you ended up here.”
Hope is written all across his face and I don’t have the heart to tell him I’m dating two amazing men.
“Yeah. Totally.”
We take the stairs to the third floor.
He wheezes out, “The elevator’s been out for months now. I’m not out of shape, but this humidity is really messing with my lungs today.”
Back to talks of the weather. I bite back a laugh.
He turns down a hallway and dread fills my chest again. It’s just a coincidence, I reason with myself. It doesn’t mean it’s the same apartment. But, of fucking course, it’s the same apartment I’ve met a client at.
Chase unlocks the door. Yup. I vividly remember the ugly painting on the wall because it fell down, nearly hitting me in the head as my client pounded into me.
Machine gun sounds fill the living room and a male voice yells out at a game.
Chase grins and says, “Hey, Mitch, I’m here with a friend. We’re going to study in my room.”
“If I see a sock on the doorknob, I’ll make sure to bring my phone in and record,” Mitch calls back.
“Sorry about him,” Chase mutters under his breath. “My room is this way.”
Again, I know exactly where the bedrooms are here. I’m literally feeling sick.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom?”
“Sure. Last door on the-”
Left.
I barely hear him as I go to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me. My heart is racing and I feel like I’m going to pass out. Saint’s words come back to me and I face the wall, pushing against it as hard as I can until my panic subsides.
What are the chances that Chase’s roommate would end up being one of my old clients? One in a million, if I were to guess. Mitch was a dick when he hired me and I sure as hell don’t want to run into him today. But, I promised I’d help Chase study. Groaning, I splash some water on my face and then open the door.
Chase is waiting in one of the doorways with a smile on his face.
“I got us some snacks.”
He’s so painfully innocent. I don’t think I’ve ever been that way. Smiling, I follow him into the room, closing the door behind us. If he thinks this is strange, it doesn’t show on his face. His room is small, but it’s clean, which I appreciate.
He looks around and asks, “Do you want to sit on the bed or the floor?”
“The floor is fine. We can stretch our legs out that way.”
Also, because I can’t be trusted on a bed.
We make ourselves comfortable and he gets his books. Right away I can see where he needs help.
Lifting my pen, I get to work, letting myself get lost in the safe and calming numbers.
We study religiously for a few hours. My phone’s gone off a few times, but I’ve ignored it.
“There! You’ve got it.”
He holds up his hands in the air. “Thank you, Jesus. And thank you, Olivia.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Chase. You’re not bad at math. You just needed to understand that one bit.”
“Thanks. It feels like once they added letter to math, I was lost. All my teachers agreed, too.”
“Well, you’ve got it now. You’ll have to let me know how you do on the test.”