Page 8 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

8

KAYLEIGH

T he drive back to campus takes longer than expected.

I needed to get the hell out of their house before I made any more awful mistakes. The last thing I wanted was for Ava to find out what went down between Kayden and me. It would be best if we buried it and never thought of it again.

My chest has been tight most of the weekend, but now I’m back on familiar ground, I instantly feel better. That is until I pull up to park and peek at my phone.

Unknown Number:

Hey, it’s Josh. Can we talk?

I narrow my eyes at the screen and shake my head in disbelief. It’s been seven months since we broke up. ‘Talk’ for him probably means wanting to get his dick wet, and I couldn’t think of anything worse.

The audacity to text me from a new number after I’ve already blocked him once.

He doesn’t get to do this to me after what he put me through.

I refuse to cry tears for someone who didn’t give a single shit about me.

I’m tired of him thinking he still has me wrapped around his little finger. That I’ll come running at his beck and call. I know all of his silly mind games. I know all of his tricks. I’m not going to fall for it again. Never.

I bite down on my jaw and resist the urge to type and respond like a keyboard warrior. But that’s what he wants me to do. Then he has me in the palm of his hand. I shake my head once and block his number.

After gathering myself together, I open my car door and head up to my dorm room in my university halls. When I open the door, I instantly groan at the mess I made before I left. Clothes, shoes, and make-up everywhere. Why am I always like this?

I slump my bag on the floor along with everything else. If this doesn’t sum up my mood, I don’t know what does. I get to work and shove shoes into boxes and clothes on hangers before flopping down on my half-made bed.

My phone buzzes again and again until my stomach drops. But it can’t be Josh, not after I’ve blocked him. It feels like a damn relief not to worry about that asshat anymore.

Evie:

Hey, are you back yet?

I’m so stuck on that essay for Harvey’s class

I need help

SOS. I REPEAT. SOS.

My best friend's messages make me laugh. We’ve been stuck by each other's sides since our first year. Now, I can’t get rid of her. She’s pretty much my only real friend here. It sounds sad because they always say university is where you make pals for life. But after Josh and I broke up, I lost all the friends we had made together.

But I would take Evie over any of them any day.

I’d rather have one amazing friend than a bunch of fake friends who don’t care about me.

Kayleigh:

Yeah, I’m back now!

Come over to my room. We can work together. I’ve only just started, but I know I’m going to struggle big time.

Evie:

Oh, thank God.

On my way!

While I wait for Evie to show up, I power up my laptop and grab my books I borrowed from the library before laying them out across my bed. A knock at my bedroom door has my head whipping to the sound. I jump off my bed and open my door to be met with Evie and the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.

“Hey.” She opens her arm to bundle me into a hug.

I open my arms as she steps into me, her small frame tucking under my chin, and her shoulder-length black hair tickling my neck. “Hey,” I murmur before releasing her and shutting the door.

Evie makes herself at home by catapulting herself onto my bed, my books dangerously close to the edge. “Ugh, I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than write this essay,” she pouts.

A small laugh passes my lips. “Don’t I know it?” I sigh before perching on the edge of the bed beside her.

Evie watches me intently as I grab my laptop and focus on the essay I’ve barely started. Her eyes bore into the side of my head, and I glance over at her. “What?”

She leans forward to inspect me, and I pull back with furrowed brows.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Her pink manicured fingernail points directly at my face, and she pins me with an accusing stare. “You’ve done the dirty.”

My eyes stretch at her words. “W-what?” I scoff. “Of course, I haven’t.”

“Don’t lie to me,” she continues to point as if I’m a school kid in trouble.

I purse my lips and flick my gaze between her dark brown eyes. I gulp. I told her I was going to focus on myself. “Fine,” I exhale. It’s impossible keeping things from her when she can read me like a damn book. “I did bits with some guy. It wasn’t much.”

Evie sighs, and I know exactly what that means. “Kayleigh, I’m not sure this is the way to deal with everything after Josh. You told me a few weeks ago that you’re going to focus on yourself and your own happiness. Not getting under someone else.”

I groan. “Please don’t say his name.”

“You know I’m right,” she says softly. “Sleeping around isn’t healthy when you’re in this frame of mind. I know you’ve been to the campus counsellor a few times, but you haven’t been in a while. I’m worried this is your way of coping when there are deeper issues going on with you, and you won’t talk to me.”

My body recoils. “Are you trying to slut-shame me?”

“No!” Evie shouts, resting a hand on my knee. “I am not trying to shame you. I’d never do that. All I’m trying to say is that I’m worried about you. You’re my best friend, and I want to make sure that you’re okay. It’s not doing anything for your self- esteem, Kay. If you were in a better frame of mind, I’d tell you to crack on, but you’re not. We both know it. You said it yourself, you need time to be single.”

I run a hand down my face with a strained exhale.

“I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life. I’m trying to look out for you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

My mouth twitches into a forced smile before my face falls again. “I know. It’s just hard.”

“I am always here for you, you know that?” she says as she reaches over to wrap an arm around my shoulders.

I nod slowly.

Evie pulls away and holds my face in her hands. “You deserve the world and more.”

“Thanks.” I laugh and avert my gaze because if I don’t, I’ll start crying.

She pulls back and sits cross-legged opposite me. “Was the guy nice, at least?”

I’m nodding before she even finishes asking the question.

“Yeah.” I grin. “He was really nice. A little unexpected and different from what I’ve experienced with others.”

Evie leans back on her palms. “Did you get his number?”

“No,” I whisper.

It’s probably for the best.

Kayden might be an attractive guy, but once he sees how damaged I am beneath the surface, he won’t want to stick around for my baggage. One night with him was enough—even if I wanted more.

I’ll have to use my imagination.

“Did he make you come?”

A hand claps over my mouth before I laugh again, but it’s too late. Evie is already gasping. “Shut the front door,” she gasps. “I know I shouldn’t be condoning this, but thank God you got the orgasm you deserve.”

“It was good,” I admit. “It was hot. He’s different. He wasn’t trying to get in my pants. He wanted to please me. Then we both said our goodnights. It was strange.”

Evie’s mouth twists to the side. “That’s because you’re used to immature university boys.”

“Yeah.” I nod once. “But like you said, I should focus on myself. I’m going to get my head down for the rest of the year and spend some time giving myself self-love instead. No more boys.”

“Vibrator orgasms only.” Evie points at me, and I chuckle softly.

“It’s better than nothing.”

She grins back at me. “Exactly.”