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“Maybe I was in the shower,” I grumble. “Or peeing. Or doing yoga. Or streaking naked through the quad.”
“Were you doing any of those things?” he challenges.
“No, but I could have been. It’s not like I spend my days sitting around and waiting for you to call, jackass.”
He ignores the barb. “What’s with all the voices? Where are you?”
“Coffee Hut. I’m catching up with some friends.” I leave out the part where Justin asked me out on a date. For some reason, I don’t think Garrett will approve, and I’m not in the mood to argue with him. “So what’s so important you had to call me five trillion times?”
“Dean’s birthday is tomorrow and the team is going to Malone’s. We’ll probably end up going back to our place afterward. You in?”
I laugh. “You’re asking me if I want to go to a bar and watch a bunch of hockey players get loaded? Why would you ever think that’s something I’d enjoy?”
“You have to come,” he says firmly. “My midterm grade comes back tomorrow, remember? Which means I’ll either be celebrating or commiserating. Either way, I want you there.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please?”
Wow. Garrett knows the word please? Shocking.
“All right,” I relent, because for some stupid reason, I can’t say no to this guy. “I’ll come.”
“Hells yeah. Pick you up at eight?”
“Sure.”
I hang up, wondering how in the span of five minutes, I’ve made not one, but two dates. One with the guy I like, and the other with the guy I kissed.
I wisely keep both those details to myself as I rejoin my friends.
19
HANNAH
It’s becoming glaringly obvious that Garrett was right. He is an image booster. As I walk down the cobblestone path toward the Philosophy building, at least fifteen people call out to me. Hi, how are ya, looking good. I’m greeted by so many smiles, waves, and hellos that I feel like I’ve just stepped foot on a whole other planet. A planet called Hannah, because everyone seems to know me. But I have no clue who they are, though I must have met them at Beau’s party.
Discomfort twists my stomach, along with a wave of self-consciousness that has me picking up my pace. Unsettled by all the attention, I practically sprint to class and slide into my seat next to Nell. Garrett and Justin haven’t arrived yet, which is a bit of a relief. I’m not sure I feel like talking to either of them right now.
“I heard you went out with Garrett Graham this weekend,” is the first thing Nell says to me.
Sweet baby Jesus. Can I not go a single second without being reminded of the guy?
“Uh, yeah,” I say vaguely.
“That’s it? Yeah? Come on, I want all the dirty details.”
“There aren’t any.” I shrug. “We just hang out sometimes.” Apparently, this is now my go-to response.
“What about your other crush?” Nell nods meaningfully toward the opposite aisle.
I follow her gaze and realize that Justin has just shown up. He settles in his seat and pulls a laptop out of its case, and as if he senses my gaze on him, he lifts his head and smiles.
I smile back, and then Tolbert saunters in, and I break eye contact as I focus on the podium.
Garrett’s late, which is unlike him. I know he was out with his teammates last night and didn’t have practice this morning, but there’s no way he would’ve slept in until four o’clock. I discreetly pull out my phone to text him, but his message reaches me first.
Him: Dealing with an emergency. I’ll show up for the second half. Take notes for me until I get there?
