Page 26 of Don’t Leave (Stay #2)

After we say our goodbyes, he disappears, getting swallowed up by the thick crowd.

The Union is a hub of activity for the students of Western University.

There are six different restaurants, a bookstore, bank, along with a couple of different places to hang out with pool tables, foosball, and air hockey.

There’s always music playing in the background and sometimes, on the weekends, there are live bands.

I turn in a tight circle, scanning the sea of students gathered for lunch before spotting him on a couch. Air rushes from my lungs as our gazes collide. For a painful heartbeat, my feet feel frozen in place.

The closed off expression on his face makes me realize that he saw us walk in together.

An icy cold fist wraps around my beating heart before squeezing painfully.

We haven’t spoken one word to each other and already it feels like this lunch is off to a rocky start.

I give him a hesitant wave before forcing my feet to close the distance between us.

A heavy weight descends, and I hate it. I hate that this is what our relationship has become. From the beginning, our friendship was always so easy. Even when I was fighting my attraction to him, the comradery was effortless.

This, unfortunately, feels anything but.

“Hi.” I keep my voice neutral, hoping we can move past the uncomfortableness that hangs over us.

Part of me is so afraid he’ll get up and walk away.

Instead, a slight smile spreads across his face. Even though his dimples remain elusive, I’ll still take it. Just like this morning, it feels good to be this close to him.

He rises to his feet before extending his hand out for me to take.

My heart leaps as I place my fingers in his. Energy crackles in the air between us as we make physical contact. Something flickers in his eyes.

Instead of commenting on it, he clears his throat. “What kind of food are you in the mood for?”

Honestly, I don’t give a crap what we eat. All that matters in this moment is that we’re together.

I shrug. “You decide.”

As his gaze roams over the restaurants, I’m able to drink him in while he’s unaware of my perusal. “Burgers?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

As we stand in line, the fledgling conversation between us stalls.

As I rack my brain for something to say, a flirty female voice says, “Cole! Over here!”

Another voice chimes in. “We haven’t seen you in forever! Where’ve you been hiding?”

I blink as two giggling girls bounce their way over to us.

Neither give me a second glance.

I should amend that statement because I don’t think I ever got a first glance. I silently watch as he flashes both an easy smile as if genuinely happy to see them.

“What are you two up to?” he asks, attention focused on the girls.

In return, they give him mega-watt smiles before one supplies an answer, “We just stopped by to grab a quick lunch. We’ve got a class at two.”

Not to be outdone by her friend, the other cuts in, “Hey, we heard you guys are having a huge bash this weekend. You need to give us all the details!”

“We’re having a party on Saturday night. You should both stop by, I’m sure it’ll be a good time.”

“Definitely!” one says enthusiastically, practically bouncing on the tips of her toes.

As if realizing there’s another person standing with them, one finally slants a look at me. “Is this your girlfriend?”

Cole keeps his attention focused on the girls as he clears his throat. “This is my friend, Cassidy.”

His answer is like a slap in my face. All I want to do is melt into the floor.

Was I really so delusional as to think we might be getting back together?

Yeah, I was.

Obviously, that’s not going to happen.

Even though it feels impossible, I force my lips into a thin smile before giving a halfhearted wave. “Hi.”

The brunette with gorgeous, long wavy hair taps her chest. “Hey, I’m Vanessa.” She cocks her head toward her blonde counterpart. “And this is Andrea. We’re Taus.”

My expression must say it all because she quickly elaborates. “Alpha Sigma Tau, that is.”

Oh.

Of course, they’re sorority girls. I should have known. They seem exactly like the bubbly ex-cheerleader types with their huge boobs, tiny waists, glossy hair, and lips that look like they could suck the chrome off a bumper.

It only makes me wonder if Cole has experienced either one of their chrome sucking abilities.

I suck in a steady breath before expelling it.

This is crazy. I seriously need to settle.

Even though it’s tempting to reach over and pull out all their lustrous hair, I remind myself that I don’t, technically , have anything against these girls. Up until five minutes ago, I didn’t know they existed.

Since I have zero claim on Cole—as he was quick to point out—he’s fair game.

As soon as those thoughts circle through my head, Vanessa reaches over and strokes her sparkly blue talons over his forearm all the while eye-fucking him in front of me.

Unable to stomach the sight, my gaze shifts to Andrea only to see her batting mascara-laden lashes at him. For goodness’ sake, it’s one o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon, people. Get a freaking grip on your hormones.

What I don’t understand is if their mentality is may the best woman win or if they plan on sharing him. The mental image of these two getting it on with him makes me sick to my stomach.

You know what?

I can’t do this.

I can’t stick around and watch these two females rub up against Cole like a couple of cats in heat. Since he’s not doing anything to deter them from flirting with him in front of my face, I take it as my cue to leave.

With a quick step in retreat, I force the words from my lips. “I thought lunch would work out, but I’ve actually got to run.” Before Cole can respond, I turn to his friends.

I have to remind myself for the second time that I have no bone to pick with them.

Oh, who am I kidding?

I’d like nothing more than to haul off and bitch slap the pair of them into next week where I can then go and kick their asses all over again.

Tamping down those thoughts, I smile. It might be gritted, but I congratulate myself on holding it together.

“It was nice meeting you two, I’m sure I’ll see you both around.”

They flash identical white smiles before gushing, “You, too!”

And then I swing around and haul ass out of there. Cole calls out my name, but I don’t bother to turn around.

To make matters worse, the hot sting of tears pricks the backs of my eyes.

But I’ll be damned if I allow them to fall.

I’ve spent the last week and a half moping around and mourning our relationship.

What’s become obvious is that I’m the only one who was hoping we could work things out.

If Cole had any interest in getting back together, he wouldn’t have let those girls hang all over him in front of me.

I’m done.

Done being depressed.

Done blaming myself for how our relationship fell apart.

Cole Mathews can go to hell and take those sorority chicks with him.

Big breath in.

Slow breath out.

Alright, now I’m done.