That'd do. Julian handed me a plastic cup filled with vodka. I chugged back the liquid that tasted like rubbing alcohol. Julian took a few swigs. It was nearing midnight and if I knew Nathaniel as well as I thought I did, he would be doing a drive-by to see if I was still at Julian's place. Or at least, that's what I hoped for.
I wasn’t proud of how I used Julian. It was wrong, considering I knew what he felt for me, but when the credits began to scroll on the TV screen I sat on I'm Julian's lap and began to kiss him. It wasn't a loving kiss; it was a hungry get-the-picture-I-need-you-to-sleep-with-me-so-I-can-make-your-brother-hurt-like-I-do kind of kiss.
Chapter 17
Nathaniel
Something was off with Brie. I had spent most of the week trying to get in contact with her. I’d been sick as a dog and missed all her texts and messages and it didn’t help that I dropped my phone in the sink and was unable to make contact with her for a few days until I was back on my feet. The only message I got was a voicemail asking me to call her back.
She was ignoring my calls, emails and text messages. I was desperate to talk to her, but she blew me off completely. I knew she wouldn’t like me knocking on her door, but I didn't care.
We needed to talk.
I drove past her dorm but didn't spot her car. She wasn't at the library or the dentist’s office, but I did spot her car outside Julian's dorm. A quick call to my brother assured me that she was indeed there with him.
I planned to wait until she left, but when it was close to midnight and she was still in there, I began to panic.
Julian and I were close, but it was rare that I showed up at his place. He preferred to crash at my house since I had more livable space, so knocking on his door without making him suspicious would be nearly impossible. But when Edwin parked his car next to mine, I figured if we were having a conversation it only seemed to fit that I would follow him back to his room.
“Hey, E.” I walked around the car and greeted him with a handshake. “Long time, no see.” Edwin and Julian had been roommates since Julian was a freshman, so Edwin had spent Thanksgiving with us a few times and we frequented the same college parties.
“Moose!” He dragged out the nickname that I had learned to hate because of Brielle. “Bro, I haven't seen you in forever. What's up, man?”
“Nothing, just busy with work. Have you been training? You look good.” I tried to make a quick conversation that would pique his interest.
“I've been off my game recently. Coach wants me to focus, but it's hard laying off the beer.” He ran his hand over his stomach.
I followed him as we ascended the three flights of stairs to their room. He continued to talk about his new regime but my mind was on Brielle. She wouldn't be able to hide from me any longer.
Edwin spoke about the state championship that was coming up as he slid the key into the door, twisted it and pushed it open. His voice faded as my gaze landed on Brielle. Her body was draped over Julian's, his hands running through her wild hair while she kissed him vigorously.
“Oh, my bad,” Edwin stated.
Brielle pulled away from Julian and her gaze landed on mine. She didn't seem shocked to see me. Instead, she looked at me with hate. Her lips pursed and one eyebrow cocked up as if she was daring me to question her.
I forced myself to look anywhere but at her as I took in the room. Empty beer bottles lay scattered around the table. Brielle stayed on his lap. Though I refused to look at her, I knew her gaze was on me. My skin crawled with anger.
“We'll be back later,” Edwin said, closing the door. “Let you two finish up.” He chuckled, but before the door even closed, I was halfway down the hall.
Rage echoed in my ears. How could she do this? How could she be with me and a week later have her legs wrapped around Julian?
I wasn’t sure how I got on the highway, but I pressed on the accelerator and gripped the steering wheel firmly. I had to forget her. I had to forget what I saw.
I made a sharp right turn and headed for Hollow, a local bar right off campus.
Liquor would help me forget what I saw.
That was a lie.
It would alleviate it . . . temporarily. The second the alcohol wore off, I’d go right back to hating her.
Hollow was crowded with tiny tables scattered throughout the dark and dingy hole in the wall. In one corner was a pair of pool tables, the area congested as people waited for the next round, and on the other side of the room an old jukebox cranked out oldies.
I recognized some familiar faces and nodded in their direction as I strode directly toward the bar. I slipped onto a stool and dropped my keys on the counter.
The bartender greeted with me a wide smile. Michelle had been in my history class last semester; we were paired on a group project. She wore black shorts and tight tank top. Her hair was blonde and she had cat-like green eyes. “Hey, stranger.” She placed a napkin on the bar in front of me. “Why the long face?”