"Well, I've already told you both everything about it a hundred times," I say while Sophie puts another swab of lip gloss on me for good measure. But truthfully, I could talk about it again and again and never get tired. It's like Ethan came out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. I don't feel alone anymore. Especially not with my roommates and I finally having something to bond over. I'm trying not to get too excited about where this could go, but I'm nervous as heck.
"Alright, then at least show me another photo." Jolene hovers over my shoulder to look at the phone in my hands. She lent her iPhone to me to scroll through his photos on her Facebook account while they get me ready for my date. I just want to see him, even though my memory of kissing him is clear as day, and I'll be with him soon tonight. It's a little bit scary to realize I'm falling for Ethan. Though, to be honest, it's entirely exciting, too.
I let her look with me as I scroll from one gorgeous photo of Ethan to the next until something stops me in my tracks. I gasp.
"What's wrong?" Sophie asks.
I can't even bring myself to say it. Sophie rushes to my side, and she and Jolene stare at the screen in my hands. It's a Facebook status that says, "In a relationship."
My heart sinks.
"Don't freak out, I'm sure there's an explanation," Sophie says.
Jolene nods. "Exactly. He probably forgot to change it when he broke up with…" she squints at the screen, "Rebecca. That's all."
But it doesn't matter what they say, the wind has already ripped through my sails. I can't believe Ethan lied to me. Acid fills my stomach when the realization sinks in. He's a cheater. Ethan Figueroa is a lying cheater just like my father, and I will not do to Rebecca, whoever she is, what my jerk of a father did to my mom.
I throw the phone onto Jolene's bed. Tears sting my eyes, but I will them not to fall. Not after Sophie put so much work into my eyeliner.
"Chloe, talk to us," Sophie says.
I shake my head. "He's a player. I thought I knew him, but I don't." Every moment we shared over the past month flies through my mind, and I feel like such a fool. Ethan really is just a partying player, and I fell for him. I believed he was different, when in fact, he's just like the rest. How could this happen? How could my heart be so wrong?
"I'm sure there's an explanation. You just need to see him in person and find out the truth," Jolene suggests.
"No," I say defiantly. "I will not be a homewrecker. End of discussion." I cross my arms and tell myself it will all be okay, that everything happens for a reason. My heart doesn't believe me, and the tears finally fall.
Sophie gives me a hug from behind. "What can we do for you?" she asks.
"I just want to forget about him," I mumble. "He's been the only one for me for twelve years. It's like a piece of my heart has been robbed, and I feel so alone."
Jolene nods. "Well then, you'd better stop your crying, 'cuz you're still going out tonight." She kicks her sneakers off and grabs a pair of black pumps from her closet.
"What are you talking about?" I ask.
Sophie seems to be in on the secret because she stands with a confident smile and says, "She's right. You're not alone, and I won't let you get all dressed up for nothing." Sophie grabs my hand and pulls me to standing. "You're going out with us."
Chapter Seven
Ethan
I call her for the sixth time, but she doesn't answer. I've been waiting outside the fountain on the grassy quad for forty-five minutes. I know when I've been stood up, but I can't help thinking that can't be the case. Not with Chloe. I'm so confused, and honestly a little worried. She would never do something like this. Maybe something is wrong. I call her repeatedly, but each time the call is ended before the ring can go through. That's a surefire sign that she's ignoring me. Maybe I pushed her too far? But I know that's not true. Our kiss was pure magic. Something's up, and I should probably give her some time to come to me about it. But still, it hurts. Maybe I did push too far, too fast. Damn it. She's the first thing I've cared about in a long time, and I had to go and screw it up. I kick a rock off the sidewalk.
"Yo, Figueroa!" Henley's booming voice calls out to me from across the quad. He approaches me with more of my teammates in tow.
"What's up, guys?" I ask, trying to sound enthusiastic. Judging by Henley's what the fuck is wrong with you face, I don't think it worked.
"I was just about to ask you. Where's Nurse Hotty? I figured you'd be boning her tonight just like all the other nights you've ditched us."
I press my lips together to prevent myself from saying something I'll regret.
"Everyone's been asking about you," Henley adds. I think that's bullshit, considering no one has texted or called me. Apparently, if you're not on social, you're not social. "You should join us. We're going to The Bullpen."
I check my phone one more time to see if Chloe may have called or texted me in the two seconds since I last looked, but alas, nothing. What did I do wrong? It seemed like everything was going great—more than great. Honestly, I was starting to think some seriously committed thoughts toward her. Maybe she just needs some space.
"Alright, I could use a drink," I say. If I know anything about Chloe, it's that she needs her time. She's always been a shy girl. Maybe it really was too much for her too soon. I just hope this weird silent treatment won't last as long as I had to wait for that kiss. I don't know how long I can go without her now that I've been spoiled seeing her every day.
Chapter Eight
Chloe
I follow Sophie and Jolene through the large wooden front doors of a nightclub. It's only seven o'clock, but the music is blaring, and bodies are moving on the dance floor like this party has been in full swing for hours already. I've never heard of this place, The Bullpen, but it's got a somewhat comforting country flair to it. It's basically a large open barn with an upper deck surrounding the large wooden dance floor below. There's a mechanical bullpen in the corner of the room where a crowd of loud college kids cheer on their friends as they try to tame the robot beast. A bar with colorful lights illuminating a hundred different bottles of liquor lines the wall to the left of the entrance. There's a section of tables to the right where people sit and snack on nachos and chicken wings and drink to their heart's content.
"Feeling at home yet, Chloe?" Jolene calls over her shoulder. I can barely hear her, but I nod in response. Though the country style does nothing to remind me of home (it's not like every girl from Texas lives on a farm), it's the unapologetically loud music and heart-pumping base that comforts me. The moment we walk in, it's all so assaulting to my senses that I almost forget about him.
Almost.
Jolene pulls us to a spot at the edge of the bar while Sophie orders. A moment later, the bartender hands us each a colorful pink drink. I ask Sophie what she ordered. She tells me to just drink it. I glance at Jolene for her response, but she's already downed hers and asked for another.
Oh boy.
It's okay, I tell myself. I told my roommates I want to forget all about earlier, and apparently, this is how we're going to do that. I take a sip of the pink drink and am surprised to find it tastes sweet. Almost disgustingly sweet. I take it as a good thing that I can't taste the liquor and down it all in two gulps. When I'm finished, I slam the plastic cup on the table, and Jolene and Sophie cheer for me.
"Atta girl!" Jolene says. "Now, let's dance."
She leads us to the dance floor. At first, I feel a little funny just dancing with them, but it turns out I'm totally a lightweight. The alcohol floods through my veins, making me loosey-goosey and all smiles. I let it take away all my thoughts of him, and before I know it, I'm laughing and spinning Sophie and Jolene in my arms. It turns out they are great friends. I should have gone out with them sooner.
"There's a hottie for you!" Sophie points to a group of guys nearby on the dance floor. One of them is tall, blonde, and ripped like a Greek statue. He's handsome, but he doesn't come close to Ethan.
A pang of reality h
its my gut. It must show on my face because Jolene says, "Bad idea," to Sophie.
"I'll go get more drinks," she says and rushes off toward the bar. Jolene is quick to step in my sight of the boys and start dancing with me again.
"We don't need guys to have a good time," she clarifies, before sneaking a glance their way. "Unless, of course, they ask for it. In which case, I'm not one to deny a man a dance." She winks, and I roll my eyes. Sophie returns with another drink, this one purple, and soon I'm convincing myself that I feel good again.
Chapter Nine
Ethan
The Bull Pen is surprisingly rowdy for a Wednesday night. The moment we walk through the doors, my teammates grab us a table, and Henley secures us a massive pitcher of beer. We order nachos that the guys immediately go to town on, but I'm not hungry.
"Dude, what's wrong?"
I shrug my shoulders. I don't want to tell Henley about Chloe. He won't get it. And besides, this isn't exactly an ideal location for conversing. The thought strikes me as funny. Here I am sitting in a club surrounded by beer, nachos, and my teammates, and I'd rather be sitting on a cold, hard patient bed in the nurse's office talking with Chloe.
"I'm fine," I say, already counting down the minutes until I can sneak out of here and go find Chloe.
"No, you're not. Come on." Henley takes a giant swig of his beer to finish his cup and pulls me onto the dance floor. I have half a mind to shove him away and head out, but I don't. I let him drag me into the center of the chaos, convincing myself that maybe it's a sign that Chloe stood me up. Perhaps we aren't supposed to be together. I keep telling myself this, even though the country music playing on full blast incessantly reminds me of her.
Henley smirks at a gaggle of tall, thin ladies who've been eyeing us all night. He motions for them to join us, and soon they're all over me. I try to dance with them, but nothing about what they're doing could be considered dancing. They're practically stripping and using me as the pole. God, I wish these girls were Chloe. Though, this is not how she'd dance with me. If she were here, I'd be holding her close, getting lost in her eyes, and everything else would fade away.
I let the women dance all over me, counting down the minutes until it's over. The more my mind wanders, the more I realize I don't want to wait for Chloe to figure out whatever she's going through. I want her now. I've wanted her since elementary school, for Christ's sake. I've got to talk with her. Tonight. If something's up with Chloe, then something's up with me, because even if we're not dating, she's still my best friend.
One of the ladies grabs my crotch, and I jump from shock. With an annoyed look, I push her away, and that's when I see Chloe.
She's staring right at me with the most heartbreaking look of hurt and betrayal on her face. Before I can call out to her, she rushes from the dance floor, tears streaming down her face. My stomach lurches, and I chase after her.
Chapter Ten
Chloe
Not one, but two women. Ethan Figueroa was with two women! And they were handsy and sexy and beautiful. I wonder which one was Rebecca and if it bothered her to be sharing him with another lady like that.
An involuntary shiver races down my spine. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but that is not right. And how could he do that right after he asked me on a date? I feel so stupid.
Another wave of tears makes their way to my eyes, and I can't help but let them fall this time. The world goes blurry. I try to blink the tears away, but they just keep coming.
All I want is to go home and cry it out with a hot bath and a giant tub of cookie dough ice cream.
"Chloe, wait!" Ethan calls after me across the parking lot. I stop in my tracks. Not only is he the last person I want to talk to, but I absolutely do not want him to see me crying. I frantically wipe my tears. When I pull my hands away, I notice they have black streaks of mascara all over them, which means my face can't look much better. Great.
I turn around anyway and find Ethan slightly out of breath with wide eyes and a concerned look on his face.
"Hey," he breathes. "Chloe—"
"What do you want?" I spit.
He looks shocked. Almost as surprised as me at the attitude in my own voice. "I just want to talk." He steps toward me, but I take a step back, even though a part of me genuinely does want him to hold me. I wish everything could go back to what it was. "Why didn't you show up tonight?"
My jaw drops in shock. "Are you serious?" He furrows his brows, confused. "You lied to me, Ethan. You made me feel like… like I was special, but you already have a girlfriend! Two, by the looks of what you were doing on the dance floor." I cross my arms.
"Girlfriend? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. I know about Rebecca." A look of realization dawns on him. "So, you really were lying," I say. I fight to keep my voice from wavering, but it does anyway. "How could you do that to me?"
"Chloe, please. I wasn't lying. Rebecca is my ex-girlfriend, and I haven't talked to her in, gosh, months. And those girls on the dance floor were just some girls." He steps toward me, and this time I let him. Despite wanting to be the strong one, I feel weak and stupid and dangerously close to wrapping my arms around him. How can I want so badly for Ethan to squish me against his chest and never let go after what he did? It's like my mind knows one thing, and my heart knows something else entirely. I must be going insane.
It takes all the strength within me, but I manage to turn in Jolene's platform heels and stomp toward the sidewalk. I can't believe I'm wearing these ridiculous things. They're so not like me. I'm a sneakers and sandals kind of girl. At least the dress is comfortable.
"Wait, just…" Ethan looks pained and confused, but I won't let my feelings for him affect my decisions any more tonight. "At least let me drive you home," he says.
I look down at my heels, and I can already see a blister forming on my left ankle. Dang it.
"Fine," I say. Ethan leads me to his truck. The moment he opens the passenger side door, I immediately regret my decision.
It smells like him. Everything about this car is so Ethan. It's a beat-up old blue pickup truck, and it reminds me so much of home it hurts. Ethan offers a hand to help me up, but I don't take it, knowing that I might just break down entirely if I do.
He shuts the door for me, jumps into the driver's seat, and starts the car. We ride off in silence, and every few moments, Ethan looks over at me, wanting to say something but smartly keeping his mouth shut. I keep my eyes on the road, silently crying the whole way home.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan
It's quiet the whole ride back to the dorms. Chloe doesn't look at me once, and every time she sniffles, it kills me to know I'm the one who made her cry. Even though it's just a big misunderstanding. But I can't blame her. When I realized she thought I was cheating on my ex, it dawned on me. Chloe would never be caught dead with a cheater after what her dad did to her mom. My heart sunk when I realized she's likened me to that monster. But I wasn't cheating or dating anyone else. Not even Chloe yet, technically.
I still have no idea where she got the belief in the first place, but before I go and try to clear my name, I know Chloe needs some time to let her thoughts settle. So I don't say anything the whole ride back. Eventually, I pull my truck up to the curb by the dorms and sit idle for a moment before cutting the power. Chloe and I sit in silence, the only sound coming from the metal clinks as my old car cools down.
"Chloe," I say softly, "I'm so sorry." She finally turns to look at me, her eyes puffy and red, but she isn't crying anymore. "I know you think I was cheating on Rebecca, but you have to know we aren't dating anymore. We broke up a long while ago. I would never do that to any girl, and I definitely wouldn't do it to you."
She shifts in her seat, so she's sitting on her hands. Chloe still doesn't say anything. I let out a humorless chuckle. "And I thought you didn't show up for our date because I was moving too fast for you."
At that, Chloe makes a sound. It's like a half-l
augh, half-cry. "Moving too fast," she mumbles. "I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for you, Ethan."
Her words give me hope. "So you're not mad at me?"
"I want to not be mad at you, but you're still lying to me about your girlfriend. There are no excuses for a cheater, Ethan."
I sigh. "Chloe, how many times do I have to tell you I'm not dating Rebecca? Where did you get that ridiculous idea in the first place? Don't you trust me?"
Chloe takes a deep breath then lets it all out nice and slow. She closes her eyes, and when she opens them again, she looks at her feet when she talks. "My roommates somehow convinced me to Facebook stalk you, and I saw that your profile said you're in a relationship."
I stare at her in complete shock. I'm pissed as hell and so damn relieved at the same time. Screw social media. None of it is real. "Rebecca made me put that up. I stopped using Facebook back in high school, but Rebecca wanted it to be 'Facebook official,' so I did it for her. I swear, I'm not in a relationship. I don't want to be in a relationship with anyone unless it's with you." I reach my hand out for her, and Chloe thankfully puts her delicate palm in mine. I grasp her tight, with no intention of ever letting her go, or ever letting something as stupid as this come between us again.
Chloe's shoulders visibly relax from their tight position by her ears. "I don't know what to say," she finally says. "Is that all true?" she asks.
Tempt University: Year One: A College Romance Collection Page 15