I’ve invited him here to find out first-hand what’s really been going on between him and Aurora. It’s been damn near a week since we’ve seen each other which is rare for us. I know I have contributed to the distance but I can’t help but feel slighted at Jared’s nonchalance. It’s like he doesn’t even notice the awkwardness between us.
“I don’t know, you tell me. Busy Spring Break thus far?” I ask quizzically. Translation: Has Aurora been keeping you busy?
“Not busy, but eventful,” he replies casually. He takes a sip of his soda.
“Is that right? What’d you do?” I can’t believe Jared is playing coy with me. Why doesn’t he just come out and say it?
“Well Friday, hung out over at UCCS, picked up a game or two. Then there was a dorm party. Saturday I worked most of the day. And Sunday, just hung out, helped Mom around the house, did some yard work. Monday I worked most of the day and today pretty much the same.”
“And that’s all you did?” I ask with an edge of skepticism.
Jared shrugs nonchalantly. “Pretty much.”
Argh! He can be so frustrating! “Jared,” I say flatly. “Really? Are you really playing like I don’t know? Is this some ploy to get back at me?”
Jared has the nerve to shrug again. “I don’t know. Didn’t realize we were back to sharing.”
“Jared, I can’t believe you can say that! Yes, I made a mistake, and I’m sorry. But our friendship hasn’t changed. At least for me, it hasn’t.”
Jared sets his menu down and folds his hands in front of him, resting his chin on them. “You’re right. I’m sorry,” he finally says. “So what do you want to know?”
“Well, for starters, do you actually like Aurora?”
Jared ponders my question for a beat, moving his head from side to side as if trying to sift out the right answer. “You know, at first, I really didn’t. I thought she was a lot older and one of those hoity-toity types. I just figured we’d have nothing in common and she’d be too prissy to even be into the same stuff as me. But she was totally different from what I expected. Super cool, down to earth. And hot! Holy shit! I never thought girls that pretty even existed outside of magazines and TV!”
I can’t help but feel jealous and hurt over Jared’s depiction of Aurora. Can’t believe she exists? But my mediocre, ordinary existence is totally believable, of course. Jared doesn’t know what he’s up against. There’s something very strange about Aurora and I have a feeling that she’s dangerous. I don’t want Jared caught in her web.
“Jared, you can’t really expect to like her after just one date, can you? You hardly know her.” I try to take the snarky undertone out of my voice but it’s hard to hide.
“I know that, Gabriella,” Jared replies stiffly. “That’s why I’ve seen her just about every night since our first date. And we’ve been texting and talking every day. She’s a great girl, Gabs. Funny, easy to talk to, really smart and cultured. And gorgeous, of course. Unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” Ouch.
“Of course, she seems like that now. But something about her just doesn’t sit well with me.”
“And you know this because…? What, you’ve seen her like two times?” Jared says cynically. “What’s the problem, Gabs? I thought you’d be happy for me. Like I said I was for you. Finally a totally amazing girl is into me and she’s got to have something wrong with her? She can’t just genuinely like me too?”
My shoulders slump with resignation, and I shake my head. The last thing I need is for Jared to be at odds with me again. “No, no. Nothing like that. She’s lucky to have you and I’m sure she is great for you. I wish you two the best. Of course I want nothing but good to come of this,” I say with an apologetic grin. Until I find confirmation of who and what Aurora is, I have to play nice.
“Thank you, Gabs. I really think this could go somewhere with Aurora. I even invited her on our trip this weekend. So I’d really like it if you could make her feel welcomed.”
Oh hell no! I agreed to feign friendliness whenever our paths may cross, but I wasn’t planning on vacationing with her. Well, this is as good a time as any to inform Jared of Dorian’s presence in Breckenridge.
“And I hope you’ll do the same when Dorian arrives. I asked him to come too. You don’t mind, do you?”
Jared’s expression becomes rigid. “No. I don’t. But I’m sure you’re aware of Aurora and Dorian’s past, right? That won’t be awkward for you, will it?”