Chapter 26
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
Mascen
“You’re here late.”
“So are you.” I tip my head at Mark as I walk past him for the batting cages.
“Avoiding the Missus,” he grumbles, closing the car magazine he’s reading today. “Apparently I’m driving her up a wall, but the feeling is mutual.”
“Mind if I bat for a while, then?” I pull out some cash and set it on the counter. He eyes it, then gives me the same look he always does when I force him to take the money.
If he’s going to be extra chatty tonight then I’ll leave. I’m not here for conversation. “Go on ahead. The door was unlocked.”
I tip my head at him and continue down the hall.
I dropped Mallory off at her dorm thirty minutes ago. She beat my ass at bowling like promised, getting a strike every time. I don’t care about her defeating me, well all of us, and I actually had fun with her. But the entire time my mind was on Rory, watching her with Cole and how they interact. It was torture. I’m sure it makes me a spoiled brat, but I’m used to getting what I want, and she’s the one thing I can’t have.
Mallory surprised me when I parked outside her dorm when she turned to me and said, “You like Rory.”
I played dumb and muttered, “Of course I do. Cole’s my best friend and she’s his girlfriend.”
She shook her head at me. “I’m not dumb, Mascen. You like that girl.” She paused then, taking a breath like she was waiting for me to do or say something. “I’ve been in that spot before. It’s a sucky place to be. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for. I don’t like her.”
She laughed. “God, you’re stubborn. See you in class.”
She hopped out of my car and ran for the building. I waited until I saw her get inside.
Now, I’m here. Hitting balls like my life depends on it. The clang of the ball against the bat soothes something inside me. Over and over I hit the balls as they shoot out at me. I set the machine a tad faster than normal, Mark will probably berate me once he realizes I messed with the machine, but at least tonight I’ll be long gone before he notices.
I’m not sure how much time passes, maybe an hour, before Mark comes to tell me I need to go.
I pack my stuff up and head home, despite not wanting to be there. I’m sure Cole will want to talk about the date, and go on and on about how wonderful he thinks Rory is. If that happens I’ll probably punch him in the fucking face. I can only take so much.
I pull into the garage and head up, expecting him to be home. The downstairs is dark, but it means nothing. He could be sleeping already. Sleep is one of Cole’s favorite things in the world.
Grabbing a bottle of water I jog upstairs, not being as quiet as I should be. His bedroom door is closed. I pause outside of it, listening for any sounds of life, or God forbid him and Rory going at it like rabbits. It’s silent. My hand wraps around the knob and I ease it open, revealing his empty bed.
Rage simmers in my blood. If he’s not home yet it means he’s with Rory, that he’s been with her ever since we left the bowling alley. He doesn’t have a car so he’s dependent on her to get home.
Slamming his door closed the whole wall shakes with the force. I stalk across to my room, my anger growing by the second. I can feel my blood pressure raising and no amount of deep breaths can lower it.
I yank the covers off my bed in my fury, muttering nonsense under my breath.
I keep reminding myself I have no right to be angry that he’s not home.
It’s late, the smart thing to do would be to shower and go to bed, but I don’t think it’s possible.
Grabbing the keys to my truck I plan to drive out to my safe space, the one where it’s just me, the stars, and silence.
Bounding down the stairs two at a time, I’m shocked to find Cole coming up from the garage. He lifts his head, looking forlorn. Spotting me with my keys in hand, he cocks his head to the side. “Where are you going?”
“Uh … out.”
He presses his lips together. “Hope you had fun tonight.”
“It was … nice.”
Fuck, I’m eloquent.
He walks around me, and I’m not a fucking expert at this kind of thing, but I did grow up with two sisters so I know enough to know when something is wrong with someone and Cole is clearly upset about something.
“Did you get bad news about your car?”
He turns around, his brows drawn. “What?”
“You seem upset. Did you get bad news on your car? I can always loan you the money, or you can borrow my car, I’ll take the truck.”
He shakes his head back and forth. “It’s not about the car, or money, or anything like that.”
I hesitate, swinging the keychain around my finger. “What’s up then?”
He blows out a breath, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Rory broke up with me.”
It takes his words a moment to make their way to my brain. “She … broke up with you?” Even saying the words out loud they’re still not making sense.
He shakes his head in a self-deprecating kind of way. “She said I’m a ‘nice guy’,” he air quotes in a pissed off tone, “and she really likes me as a friend, but she doesn’t have any feelings beyond that for me.”
I stand there, feeling like a dumbass because I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. “I’m sorry.”
His shoulders droop and his lips press flat. “You know the worst part?”
“What?”
He straightens, crossing his arms over his chest. “We both know you’re an asshole. But girls throw themselves at you. And I’m not saying I’m lacking where that comes from, but the difference is, those girls would drop anything to be your girlfriend. You’re the bad boy they all want, but they forget that bad boys break hearts. Me? I’m the nice guy and nice guys don’t win.”
His jaw twitches and I know he’s hurt and angry, but I don’t have any words of advice. I’m not good at this. I’m not the relationship kind of guy.
Quietly, he turns and goes upstairs.
I don’t see the point in heading out to sulk now. It’s fucking wrong how my best friend is hurting and I’m celebrating. Rory isn’t his anymore. It’s not like it’s exactly good news for me. I’m not going to make a move on her, but it is a relief to know I won’t have to see her attached to my best friend anymore.
Fuck, I’m a selfish bastard through and through.
Even with that knowledge, I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I go up to my room.