Torrid Affair(38)

Somewhere between Christmas and New Year's Eve, a random text message appeared on my cellphone.

Unknown: Can we talk?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: Nate

Me: How did you get my number?

Unknown: Julian texted me to see if I had seen you around campus. Apparently, you’re ignoring him.

Me: I’m ignoring you, too!

Unknown: What we did felt too right to be a mistake.

Me: I’m not talking to you.

Unknown: You can’t ignore me forever.

Me: Watch me!

On New Year’s Eve, I sat in my room watching the ball drop in Times Square. I had avoided any alcoholic beverages for the past week. Rum had gotten me in enough trouble as it was, but I didn’t see any harm in tequila. It was New Year's, after all.

I had cleaned and repainted the wall back to its original color, and found Delaney’s stash of her favorite boys: Jose, Jameson, Johnny and Jim. I figured tequila was the easiest to drink straight up, and grabbed the bottle of Jose Cuervo.

Thousands of people gathered around Times Square in the blistering cold to watch a giant lit-up ball ring in the new year. People arrived in the heart of Manhattan around ten in the morning to hold their spots. And once the ball dropped, everyone disappeared. I thought it was the stupidest thing.

Jose agreed.

A few minutes before midnight, my phone buzzed next to me.

Nate: Can I see you?

I wanted to say yes. Hell, even Jose was screaming at me to agree. But I couldn’t.

Me: No.

Nate: I’m outside.

Me: I don’t care. I’m not seeing you.

After I sent the text message, I ran to the window to see if I spotted his car. It was nowhere in sight.

I grabbed my phone.

Me: Liar

Nate: I didn’t say I was outside your dorm. I’m working, so I can drive by if you want.

Me: No. I don’t want to see you.

Nate: Now who’s the liar?

“Ugh!” I tossed the phone and poured myself another shot.

The ball dropped and a new year was upon us. I was drunk and alone. I dragged my feet and climbed into bed. This new year I would be a better person. That was my resolution.

My phone vibrated in my hand with a new text message. Instantly, my heart rate sped up. But it wasn’t from Nate.

Julian: Happy New Year. I miss you, Brie.

Guilt echoed in my chest.

I was a liar.

I tossed my phone to the side and let the effects of the tequila guide me into a deep sleep



The new semester was about to start, so the university was busy with students returning from break. Delaney returned a week before classes started. Her skin was beautifully tanned from her vacation in Belize, and though she looked sun kissed, she seemed off. Her eyes were puffy and surrounded by dark circles She tossed her suitcase on the bed and sighed. “We broke up,” she whimpered.

“Oh, Delaney.” I tried to act as though I had no clue. I never asked Nate when he did it. I didn't want him to tell me anything. I knew when she returned she would need me there for her.

“He's such an ass.” She tossed her clothes on the bed. “He broke up with me right as I left. I wasn't even home yet when he called.” Her voice broke and I knew she was holding her tears in.

I, on the other hand, felt like the worst friend. Bowing my head, I avoided her gaze and let her vent. “He's no good for me, anyway. Daddy always said I should be with a man who has a wealthy background. Someone who can provide for me. And the only thing Nathaniel has for him is his looks. I’ll find someone better.”

Delaney sat on the couch and began to tell me how happy she was to be back and how this semester she wouldn't be a lost puppy trailing after a boy, but all I could picture was how Nate had been on top of me in the exact spot where she sat. Instantly, I felt I was drowning. I was suffocating and the walls were closing in on me. I couldn't lie to her. I hated what I did.

Unable to sit there any longer, I shot up from my bed and walked across the room to grab my bag.

“Where are you going?” Delaney asked. Her eyebrows were furrowed and confusion appeared on her face.

“I need to go to the library. I completely forgot I signed up to do some tutoring this semester.”

“Brie,” she complained. “I just got back.”

“I know.” I shook my head, hating the fact I was about to lie to her again. “It's just that I have three people to help this semester and I can't fall behind in my own work.” I inhaled and let guilt filter through my body. “I'll be quick. Rest up and we’ll chat later.”

I started to walk toward the door when her voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Did you paint the wall?”

My heart began to accelerate in my chest. I turned slowly. “Yeah,” I said in a shaky voice. “I tried to do a dry erase board for us with this paint I found at the hardware store, but it didn't work out.”