As I power-walk the short distance to my dorm, I check my phone. Three texts from Liv. My ringer was off but I should’ve felt the vibration. Was I that distracted? Unwilling to waste even the seconds it would take to read her messages, I pick up speed, hoping as I hurry that she’s still in our room and that she doesn’t hate me.
Three minutes later, I throw open our dorm room door.
Liv springs off her bed. “What the fuck? Where were you?”
“I’m so sorry. The meeting went?—”
She cuts me off. “You said an hour!”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve texted you. But for some reason, it took longer than I expected and time just…got away from me.”
“ButItextedyou.”
“I know. And I don’t know why I didn’t feel it.”
“What the hell, Betts? You promised we’d work together.” She jerks an arm at her desk. “I did everything you said. I even made an outline.”
“I’m so sorry. I really am.” The zipper on my jacket catches. Sweat breaks out along my hairline as I yank and pull.
“So who were you meeting? That guy Lara saw you with at the library?”
My hands go still and my stomach drops. “What?”
“Seriously?” Liv crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at me. “I’m your best friend. Don’t play dumb.”
I will myself to get it together. Other than being late tonight, I’ve done nothing wrong. “Where did you hear about that?”
“Braden told me.”
Legs going numb, I sink onto my bed. Who told Braden and did Braden tell Zander? And when was Liv talking to Braden? Because the answer to that question should be never.
I say, “Last week, Iwaswith a guy at the library, but we were just studying.”
“That’s not what Lara said.”
“Yeah, well, Lara’s a big fat gossip.”
Liv flinches. How dare I insult a KPT.
“Honestly, Liv. Do you think I wouldn’t tell you if there was something going on?”
She looks like she’s about to cry. “I used to think you’d tell me, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, you’ve been hanging out with some guy I’ve never even met!”
“It’s not like that. He’s a casual acquaintance. That’s all.”
“Whatever.” Blinking furiously, she turns away. “How could you just blow off our plans?”
My throat burns. “Liv—I’m so sorry.”
“I mean, do you even want to be in a sorority? Because for a year it’s all you could talk about, and now it’s like you don’t even care anymore.”
“I do care, I promise.” I blot my eyes with my sleeve. “I’m so sorry. It’s just…. I’m having a hard time juggling everything right now, you know? With Rush, and classes, and Zander and all that.” And a bargain-basement Nick Fury trying to recruit me for his team of psychics.
“Yeah.” She slumps onto the bed beside me and heaves a sigh. “This year’s a lot harder than last year.”
“Tell me about it.”
She sniffs and looks at me with confused, dark eyes. I can’t stand it. I fold her into my arms, and when she squeezes me back, I melt in relief.
