Torrid Affair(46)

The fear of being discovered by Delaney or Julian had me panicking, and I began to overcompensate my friendship with them both. Not to mention the fear that Nate could easily change his mind and move on to another girl. I could simply have been a chase, and now that he had me I constantly worried it was only a matter of time before he got bored.

Every Saturday morning, we snuck off to be together. Now that I knew his biology excuse was bullshit, we spent those days together. Along with sneaking off, Nate and I had rules on how we communicated. No emails, phone calls or drop-bys. We texted in code. I changed his name on my phone to Nicole, and I kept my phone glued to me since I didn't want Julian or Delaney to see any of our messages.

I lied to Julian about working more so I spent less time with him. Our Friday night tradition of Chinese takeout was replaced with Nate taking me to dinner far from campus so no one would spot us together.

It wasn't just sex between us. We spent countless hours talking about life and what we both wanted in the future. He knew my passion for art and let me go on and on about it before he shared his dreams. Without realizing it, I fell deeply in love with him.

The first week of March, Delaney and I were in our dorm room and I was getting ready to head off to work at the dentist’s office. My hands were massaging the leave-in conditioner through my hair when Delaney closed her laptop and looked over at me.

“What are you doing tonight?” she asked. I met her gaze through the mirror. Her hair was tossed up in a messy bun, and she was wearing her pajamas so I knew she had no plans.

I hesitated for a moment. “Nothing,” I replied. In truth, I was meeting Nate after work. We were going to stop for ice cream then drive to Freedom Park and eat it on the hood of his car.

“Are you sure?” Delaney pinched her eyebrows.

“Yeah, why?” Nerves made the butterflies in my stomach flap their massive wings.

“Well, you’ve worked at Dr. Carmack’s office for almost three years now and I’ve never seen you get this dolled up.”

My heart sank. “I'm not all dolled up.”

“Okay, Brie.” Her lips puckered, and I knew she didn't believe me. “You never do your hair like that unless we’re going out. You don't have to tell me who he is now, but eventually I’ll find out.”

I grabbed my purse and keys and looked over at Delaney, who was still sitting in the same spot. “I'll be back later.”

“Sure thing, babe. I’ll try to wait up.”

I dashed out of the room and closed the door behind me. Yanking my phone out of my purse, I sent Nate a quick text message.

Me: I can't make it tonight.

Nicole: Why not??

I smiled at the pen name I’d given Nate.

Me: Delaney thinks I'm meeting someone after work. I think she suspects something.

Nicole: Did she say anything about me or that you would be with someone else?

Me: Someone else.

Nicole: Okay, so she doesn't suspect anything except that you’re with someone. And who cares if she thinks that.

Me: I don't know. Maybe we should reschedule.

Nicole: No. I haven't seen you since Saturday. Don't make me beg. Please? I need to kiss you.

His last text message made me grin. I desperately wanted to kiss him too.

Me: I’ll see you at 8.

I sent him one last text message before I hopped in my car. As long as Delaney didn't know it was Nate, there shouldn't be a problem.

Or at least that's what I hoped for.



I had done the one thing a girl should never do—I’d given him my whole heart. I had given him the power to destroy me. And now he owned every single part of me. He had all the power. And there was nothing I could do about it. As much as I’d tried not to fall for him, I had fallen. I could only hope he was there to catch me.

It was funny what loves made you feel or think. And the jealousy that came with it was the monster of all one-eyed green monsters. I wasn't prepared for any of that. Like the first big drop on a roller coaster, you hold on for dear life and scream. That's what I had to do.

After my last class on Friday, I sent Nate a message and asked if he wanted to join me for lunch, but he never responded. I met up with Julian and Delaney in the cafeteria instead. I secretly hoped she would fall for him. It would make my life so much easier.

“Where’ve you been?” Julian asked when I slid into the chair next to him. I reached across to his tray and stole a fry.

“I've been here. School is kicking my ass.”

Delaney, who sat across me, pulled a fry off his plate as well. “She literally lives in the library now.”

“I do not.” I crumbled my napkin and tossed it at her. “I just want to graduate a semester early.”

“Mmm hmm.” Delaney winked at me.