30. Preston #2
East’s nostrils flared, and just when I thought he’d throw out something to cut Zac off at his knees, he started off down the hall—shoulders straight, head held high, the distinct scent of revenge lingering his wake—as Zac kept watch behind him.
“Fuck me.” Travis blew out a breath. “I don’t know about you guys, but I need a goddamn drink.”
No kidding. We’d barely set foot in the place and it felt as though it had just imploded on us.
I turned to what was left of our friends to see West hugging JT into his side and Travis shaking his head.
“You think we should call Van, tell him about Gavin?”
Travis shrugged. “I don’t know, man. Gavin looked pretty pissed that Daire had stuck his nose—or fist—in his business. I’d leave it if I were you. He’ll tell him if he wants to.”
Serena nodded. “I have to agree. It definitely looked like he wanted some space.”
“Yeah.” West snorted. “From the person he just moved in with.”
“You’re right,” I said. “I just thought that if he was going through a breakup he might want to talk about it?—”
Travis hiked his bag up his shoulder. “Personally, I’d just want to get shit-faced drunk and forget all about that person.”
“Oh yeah.” I eyed him as he started to scroll through his phone. “How’s that working for you? Caleb do anything interesting last night?”
The scowl Travis threw my way should’ve had the floor opening up under me.
“I don’t know, did Zaddy Carrington?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen him.”
Serena scrunched her nose up. “You guys promised no details. That includes nicknames.”
“Sorry,” I said “Ignore Travis. He’s just touchy?—”
“Because he’s not being touched,” West interjected, and Travis glared at all of us.
“Yeah, well, that’s going to change this weekend.”
“You have a date?” JT’s smile was bright and full of enthusiasm, like he thought Travis might finally find the love of his life if he went on a date.
I had a feeling that Travis was just trying to find dick.
“Well, I’m not showing up to a Winter Ball on my own lookin’ like some loser.”
“You wouldn’t be on your own.” Serena rubbed his arm. “You’d be with us.”
“You and your ‘boyfriend’ over there?” Travis eyed the two of us. “Are you even going together, or did your dad steal your date?”
“Hilarious.” Serena’s voice was droll but unaffected as she cuddled into my side and looked up at me. “We are still going together, aren’t we? I didn’t even think to ask. But Dad’s going with Rodney, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Wait a second. Did she just say ? —
“Arch—your dad’s taking someone to the ball?”
I could feel the blood draining from my face as my stomach began to twist. The happy little flips I’d been feeling whenever I thought about Archer were now churning into a ball of knots.
“Uh oh…” Travis chuckled. “Looks like Preston’s the one who won’t be getting touched.”
I shot a glare in his direction, Serena’s words still playing on a loop in my head as I tried to recall Archer mentioning anything about a date for the Winter Ball. But no, there was nothing. If anything, he’d spent time telling me all the reasons why he didn’t date.
How convenient that he’d left this part out.
“Oh God.” Serena bit down on her lip, worry swirling in her eyes. “You didn’t know.”
My heart was racing a mile a minute as I tried to squash down the irrational feelings of hurt and jealousy bubbling up inside of me.
What had I expected? Archer to show up solo? For him to sit across from me and pine for me, the way I would him? How na?ve could I get? But the idea of watching Archer wine and dine another man while I was across the room, unable to touch him, made me want to both throw up and punch something.
“No. I didn’t.”
“Yeah,” West said as he cautiously backed him and JT away from us. “We’re going to head to class now.”
Travis pointed at them and nodded. “And I’m gonna go with.”
I couldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to be around me right then either.
I felt like an idiot. Like some stupid, lovesick, overeager kid who’d built up this fantasy in my head where someone as charismatic and sophisticated as Archer Carrington could possibly want more with me than a couple nights in his bed.
How stupid was I?
“Preston?” Serena’s voice was soft, like she was trying to soothe me. But it was too late. My insecurities had already taken over.
“Can you give me a minute?” I fished my phone out of my pocket and held up my cell. “I just want to?—”
She nodded, squeezing my arm. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you over here.”
I took in a breath, trying to calm the riot of emotions wreaking havoc on my mind, and walked to one of the windows looking out over Astor’s main courtyard.
Was I kidding myself to think that Archer and I could have any kind of real relationship? I was still in college, for God’s sake. He was out running a multimillion-dollar company.
But…he’d been amazing this weekend. So sexy and attentive, funny and smart, the best date I ever had—and now all I could think was: would Rodney feel the same way?
I tightened my hand around my phone, the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head—and how odd it was over something as simple as date after what we’d done this weekend with Raul and Johan.
Somehow, though, this felt more personal. Not only the thought of his spending time with someone else, but the fact he didn’t tell me? It hurt.
I stared down at the screen and pulled up a message thread with FILTH, his nickname now mocking me.
You have a date for the Winter Ball. Guess you made time in your schedule for that.
Then, before I could talk myself out of it, I hit send.