Chapter Eleven
Maisie
I blow out a slow breath as I climb the stairs toward my dorm, my mind replaying the events of the day on repeat.
More specifically, the conversation I had with Macallan at the restaurant.
I have no idea what the hell came over me or why I said the things I said to Macallan as he sat across from me.
All I know is that by the time we exited the restaurant a few short minutes later, the tension between us was so thick I could feel the weight of it like a blanket, overheating my already too-warm skin.
The car ride to my dorm was even worse as I couldn’t seem to get my tongue to unstick from the roof of my mouth long enough to utter a single word. When he pulled up outside my building, I practically jumped out of the car, muttering something about seeing him tomorrow.
My thoughts turn as I approach my door, my inner chastising quickly replaced by the worry of what I might find when I make my way inside.
Pretend like everything is normal, I remind myself, pulling in a deep breath and then blowing it out slowly as I twist the knob and push the door open. I immediately startle at Lana’s presence, having half expected her not to be here.
She’s sitting at her desk, scribbling something in the notebook in front of her, which she quickly abandons as I step inside the room, closing the door behind me.
“Hey.” I give her the closest thing to a smile I can muster.
“You never came home last night,” she states the obvious, a clip to her tone.
“I stayed with Lyric and Kai. My brother laid one on pretty good, so I figured the least I could do was help them out with him.” I drop my bag onto my desk before kicking off my shoes. “How was the rest of your night? I didn’t see you after you took off.”
“I think someone put something in my drink.”
“Oh yeah?” My voice hitches with fake concern.
“So weird. I remember going to the party. I remember talking to a few people. I remember seeing you. But then things started to get weird, and I felt funny. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in my bed.”
“That’s scary.” I’ll play her game if that’s what it takes to placate her for now.
“I know. I’m afraid of what might have happened after I blacked out. Did I seem off to you when you saw me?”
“I actually found you in a room with Joey Franklin. He was pretty messed up.”
“Oh God. We didn’t...” Her eyes widen and the ridiculousness of what she’s trying to pull is laughable, but still, I play along.
“I don’t think so, but he was almost naked.”
“What happened after that?”
“Macallan came to pick up Joey. I guess he texted him at some point. Word on the street is he had to take him to the hospital. Apparently, he was drugged.”
“That explains a lot.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was interviewed this morning by campus police. Apparently, they were tipped off that Joey and I were together before he was taken to the hospital. They wanted to know if I had anything to do with it.”
“Seriously? How awful. Of course you wouldn’t do that to someone.” The words scrape up my throat like tiny, little shards of glass.
“I know. I told them something similar happened to me.”
“What did they say to that?”
“They offered to have me checked out by a physician, but I assured them I was fine. They said if I remembered anything, to let them know. That was that.” She shrugs. “I wonder if it was the same person who drugged me.”
Either she’s playing it down, or campus police are idiots. Then again, Lana does come across as sweet and innocent. If I hadn’t witnessed her behavior myself, I’d hardly believe it either.
“You were in the same room. It’s entirely possible.”
“But you’re sure nothing happened between us?”
It takes everything I have to keep this charade going.
“I don’t think so. But now that you mention it, you were acting strange.”
“Strange how?”
“You were rambling on about sleeping with Joey to get back at Macallan.”
“Oh God.” She covers her mouth on a gasp.
She’s a horrible actress, not that I’m going to say as much, given that we’re both putting on a pretty lousy show.
“You definitely seemed out of it. You’re probably right that someone put something in your drink.” I keep going, really feeding into her delusion. “You should be mindful about drinking anything that you didn’t pour yourself. Do you remember if someone gave you a drink?”
“I... I think so.”
“Well, lucky for you, you walked away unscathed. It could have been a lot worse.”
“Yeah...” She looks down at the open notebook in front of her and then back to me as I lower myself into the chair behind me. “Did Macallan... Was he there when I was there?”
I nod.
“Did he... Was he upset with me?”
“Not at all. I think he was worried about you.”
“Really?” She perks up at this, something unsettling flashing in her eyes.
“He could see something was going on with you and he was definitely concerned.” Not a total lie.
“Surprised he still cares.”
“Yeah, me too. Didn’t know he had it in him,” I quickly agree.
“Well, I’m sorry if I did or said anything to upset you.”
“I don’t hold anything against you that you did while you were inebriated.”
“Well, thank you for that.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Me too.” She smiles.
“You working on something?” I point to her open notebook.
“Just going through some notes for an upcoming quiz.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I am in desperate need of a shower.” I push to a stand, gathering my things.
“Hey, Maisie,” Lana calls after me just as I reach the open bathroom door.
“Yeah?” I look over my shoulder to meet her gaze.
“I’m really glad we’re friends.”
My stomach coils.
“Yeah, me too.” I force a too-bright smile to my lips before turning to face the bathroom.
“She’s completely insane,” I tell Lyric and Char, throwing my hands up in frustration as I pace Charlotte’s living room, the two of them tracking my movements from the couch. “She acted like nothing happened. Like she was a victim.”
“Are you really all that surprised, though?” Char asks. “You didn’t actually expect her to own up to what she did?”
“I mean, considering I witnessed it firsthand, yeah, kind of.” I huff. “There is something seriously wrong with her.”
“Have you talked to Macallan about it?” Lyric chimes in softly.
“No,” I bite too harshly. “Why would I?”
“Because he’s the reason for her coo-coo pants,” Charlotte says like it should be so obvious.
“So...”
“So... Wasn’t it him I saw you with yesterday? You two seemed pretty chummy.”
“We did not.” I balk at her insinuation.
“Oh, you definitely did.” She smiles, seeming to see right through me.
“What are you trying to imply?”
“I’m not implying anything. Just saying, you were having breakfast with the man. It would seem you’re at least on good enough terms to fill him in that his crazy stalker has officially gone off the rails.”
“I think that happened long before yesterday.” I blow out a hard breath, plopping down in the chair sitting catty-corner from my two best friends.
“Wait, you went out with Macallan?” Lyric seems to have just caught on to what Char was saying.
“We grabbed a bite to eat after we left the police station. It was no big deal.”
“It was most certainly a big deal,” Char tells her like I’m not even here.
“You should have seen the way those two stared at each other from across the table. Looked like they had half a mind to strip bare and fuck right there on top of the table for everyone to see. Talk about tension. Whew.” She openly fans herself.
“You’re delusional.”
“I think out of the two of us, you’re the delusional one. We all know how you feel about him, Mais.”
“What are you talking about?” I play dumb, refusing to admit anything, despite the fact that these two women know me better than I know myself most days.
“That you pretend to hate him because it’s easier than admitting that you have fallen for him and he hurt you.”
“Fallen for him?” I bark out a laugh like it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I only wish that were actually true. “Do you hear this?” I ask Lyric directly.
“I think maybe she’s right, Mais,” Lyric says apologetically.
“Not you too.” I groan, scrubbing my hands over my face.
“It’s okay to have feelings for him,” she offers.
“I do not have feelings for him! I can’t stand him!”
“Then why are you getting so upset?” Char smirks like she’s got me right where she wants me. “Just admit it and we can move on.”
“I will do no such thing.” I hiss.
“Mais, we’re your best friends. You can tell us anything. No judgment,” Lyric reassures, soft eyes almost pleading with me.
They don’t get it. I can’t. I can’t entertain the idea that I feel anything for this man other than hatred because if I do, that would mean admitting it to myself, and I’m not ready to do that. Not yet. Not after everything.
“He told you that he pushed you away to protect you from Lana. If you ask me, that’s extremely romantic... In a twisted sort of way.” Char grins.
“I’m never telling you anything again.” I give her a sour look.
“Oh, shut up. You just have your panties in a twist because you still like the guy and now you know why he did what he did. And by the way, it’s pretty clear to everyone who has eyeballs that he’s still wildly enamored with you.”
“He is not.” I weakly deny what was right in front of me in that restaurant. The way he looked at me. The things he said.
No. I quickly end that train of thought.
“Oh, he definitely is,” Lyric disagrees.
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” I tell her.
“I am. But being on your side requires me to be honest.”
“Fine. Let’s say that I do still have some sort of affection for him. What would you have me do about it? He’s made it pretty clear he doesn’t want me that way.”
“Has he?” Char arches a challenging brow.
“I think I hate you,” I grumble.
“No, you love me. Now tell me, what’s your hiccup?”
“My hiccup? He humiliated me!”
“To protect you!” she fires back.