Page 67 of Palm South University: Season 3

I pull my Kappa Kappa Beta tank top over my head, and when my eyes find Grayson’s again, his smile is completely gone, his body tense.

“You’re hanging out with Adam tonight?”

“Studyingwith Adam,” I correct him. “Not exactly my version of hanging out or having any fun whatsoever.”

Grayson is quiet a moment as I search for my jeans.

“I don’t like it,” he says finally.

I sigh, finally spotting my jeans draped over his desk chair. I swipe them off and tug them on one leg at a time. “He’s my friend, Grayson. And we’re just studying. I thought you guys were cool now?” I’d watched them shake hands the night of the Halloween party, and though I knew they’d never be best friends, I hoped they could at least be cordial.

“I can study with you,” he tries.

“You’re busy tonight. And literally every night until my final.”

“Well, isn’t studying more of a solo sport anyway? Maybe you should just hang out in your room.”

“Grayson,” I deadpan.

“Well!” He huffs, throwing the sheets off him and yanking on his boxer briefs before running a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Try seeing this from my point of view, Cassie. How would you feel if there was a girl I knew before I met you whom I spent time with?Alone. Without you. A girl who youknewhad more than friendly feelings for me.”

“Adam doesn’t—”

“Cassie.” He stops me, face flat as he challenges me to finish my sentence.

Sighing, I sink down onto the bed next to him, pulling my hair into a braid over my right shoulder. “It’s just… I care about him, too, Grayson. He’s one of my best friends, and I’m sorry if that hurts to hear but it’s true. He’s been there for me through a lot of tough times and…” I shrug, not sure what else to say. “I don’t want to upset you, but I don’t want to lose my friendship with him, either.”

Grayson’s jaw tenses, but he pulls me to face him, taking both my hands in his. “I’m not asking you to not be friends with him, okay? I just… what if, at least for a while, you see him when we’re all together? It would make me feel a lot more comfortable. Please,” he pleads, eyes earnest. “You’re going to see him at Jess’ Friendsgiving thing when we’re all there. Can you study with one of your sisters? I know it seems silly to you, but it matters to me.”

Those last words squeeze my heart. I try to put myself in his shoes, imagine how it would feel if he had an Adam, and I had to know they were alone together in an empty library. I know I’d be uncomfortable, too, even if he assured me they were just friends.

Jealousy is an untamable beast.

“Okay,” I concede. “I’ll cancel with Adam and tell him I decided to study off campus.”

“Thank you,” Grayson says, smile back as he brings my hands to his lips and kisses them. “Now go study, future Dr. McBee.”

He pops me on the ass as I stand and I swat at his hand with a laugh, grabbing my backpack off his desk. But when I’m outside, balancing an umbrella in one hand as I type out a text to Adam with the other, I can’t help the sick feeling that washes over me. It feels a little like abandoning Adam, like making a choice I never intended to make between two important people in my life.

Of course Adam writes back right away, completely understanding, even cracking a joke at my expense. Because that’s who Adam is — kind, forgiving, always there, even when I maybe don’t deserve him to be.

Grayson said he only wants me to see Adam in group settings for now, just until he’s comfortable. But will that day ever really come? And if it doesn’t, do I have a right to be upset?

Can I have a strong relationship with my boyfriend without sacrificing my friendship with Adam?

I don’t have the answer.

And something tells me I wouldn’t like it if I did.