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Me: Yes. What about you?
Elijah: I left class early.
Me: I’m sorry. I can’t believe this is happening again.
Elijah: I got some odd looks, but Lucas acting ballistic shook everyone up. Where did he go?
Me: We’re driving back to his frat.
I wait for a reply, and my stomach sinks. Elijah can’t think I’m with Lucas because we’re in a relationship. I only went with Lucas to get him away from there.
Me: We’re not dating. I just wanted him to leave, and he wouldn’t without me.
Elijah: I’m coming to get you.
Me: Please don’t. I’ll call you when I’m back at my apartment.
I wait, but there are no more texts. A sick feeling coats my mouth. If Elijah is coming to get me, this night will only get worse. I don’t know what to do to stop the slide, and I realize I’ve made a big mistake by leaving with Lucas. I scroll through my contacts and tap my dad’s number.
When he answers, I skip hello. “Lucas caused a scene in my class and accused Elijah of assaulting me. What did you tell him?”
My dad sighs as if my life is wearing him out. “Olivia, I just want to know that you’re safe.”
“I was safe. I was in class,” I argue. “You have to talk to him because he won’t listen to me. He’s taking me to his frat, and I’m not staying here. Call him.”
I end the call as the car pulls into the driveway, already crowded with cars. Gamma House is dark inside, and a bad feeling lands in the pit of my stomach. Lucas cuts the engine, but I stay in the car. I try to reason with Lucas again. “Elijah didn’t attack me, and Dad is overreacting. I’m getting an Uber back to my apartment where I will be safe.”
Lucas tugs his hand through his hair as his voice deepens with frustration. “Livi, I talked to your dad, and you were very young. He says you don’t have a clear memory of what happened. Besides, if that nut were innocent, he wouldn’t have been convicted.”
Scoffing, I stare at Lucas. “That’s bullshit. I was a teenager, not a child, and I was there. I know exactly what happened. I know he didn’t do anything. I wanted him to, but he refused to.”
Lucas leans back and watches me. “What do you mean by you wanted him to?”
“I mean I tried to seduce him,” I explain in an exasperated tone, “but he turned me down.”
“So, you lied?” he asks.
Stunned, I shake my head. “I didn’t lie. How could I have lied when no one asked me what happened? And it’s happening all over again. Look, it’s nice that you care, but you have him all wrong.”
Lucas' voice lowers as his hands close into fists. “Why are you defending him? Do you want him now?”
Finally, Lucas understands how I really feel about him, and the timing is the worst. The icy tone in his voice puts me ill at ease as we stare at each other in the dark. I can barely see his features, but his breathing picks up in a ragged tone. I’m trapped with Lucas in this ridiculously tiny car.
I push at the door. “I really should get going.”
Lucas reaches for my thigh, and his hand clamps down tightly. “Stay for a while. You can study here.”
I push the car door open and jump out. He follows, slamming the car door shut. Once I make it to the street, I’ll just walk away. But the cars are parked too tight, and I have to squeeze around them as he follows me. I bump into a huge car covered with a tarp. The bumper clips my calf with a bit of ragged metal. I don’t know what compels me to look, but I lift a corner. It’s Lucas’ Rover, and there's a dent in the front bumper as if he’s hit something.
“I thought your car was in the shop?” I ask.
He yanks the thick material out of my hands and pulls it back down over the car. “It’s going to the shop.”
I back slowly away. “Were you in an accident?”
Lucas grips my arm, squeezing my flesh tight in his fingers, and tugs me, stumbling toward the dark house.
“Were you in an accident?'' My voice rises. “That’s a huge dent in your car.”
