Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“I never told you because I knew you wouldn’t get it,” I snap.
He shuts his eyes. “Look, I’ve known since we met that we didn’t go together, and I was drawn to that, but I can’t help wondering what else is going to pop up. Your family, your past, you not getting into Harvard, your friends, the pot—it’s too much. And I want to go to Harvard. It’s all I’ve ever wanted—until you. I can’t let you distract me.” He sways on his feet and braces himself against the wall. “We need a break from each other.”
And there it is. Finally. Confirmation.
“You don’t deserve me,” I say, my voice low and thick.
A hesitant expression ripples over his face as he stares at the floor.
“What else, Donovan?” My hands fist. Waiting. I know there’s more.
He slowly raises his head, and when they come, his words are slurred. “Ana… I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, but I’ve seen Harper a few times for coffee. I haven’t cheated on you, I wouldn’t do that, but I was confused and didn’t know which way to turn and she’s always been my friend and understood how my family is…” His voice trails off as he takes a deep breath. “I-I kissed her.”
I blink. “When? Tonight?”
“Monday. After I left your place.” The words are dragged from him.
Hurt lances straight through my heart. I sensed the breakup was coming, but to be with her on my birthday.
It slices deep.
“Kissing is cheating!” I exclaim. “You did tell her I didn’t get into Harvard. Screw your—what, parting gift? Please. I don’t want a thing from you—”
“What the hell?” River whisper-yells as he appears backstage like a storm and rushes to Donovan. “Your mic is on.” He reaches for the wireless box, fiddles with the buttons, removes it, then plucks the mic off his toga.
Benji shoves inside the space and gives me a long look. “Ana? You okay?”
I stare at him blankly, then it dawns on me…the eerie silence out in the basement. My head shakes, realization hitting me. “Wait, wait—did people hear us?”
Benji grimaces. “It was blasted over the speakers in the kitchen, mostly his voice. I could barely hear you. Pool area, too, I’d guess. I ran all the way down here.”
My eyes close.
All these people.
Students I have classes with.
The fraternity brothers.
Humiliation rises as the blood leaves my face. Stomach jumping, I slide the curtain aside the tiniest bit. Harper and her sorority sisters are gathered a few feet away. Mellany has her phone out as she takes pictures or records. Harper smiles like it’s the best day of her life, her face animated as she murmurs to Audrey.
Donovan rubs his forehead. “What’s going on? Was…was my mic on?”
“Yeah, catch up. All the party rooms have speakers,” Benji’s mutters.
River grunts his agreement as he puts the mic on Benji then presses a piece of paper into his hands and slaps him on the back. “Here’s the list. Read the winners, be cool, and act like nothing happened.”
“Wait a minute! I was going to do that,” Donovan mutters, jostling around to stand in front of Benji.
River pulls him away from the stage entrance. “No. You walk out of here and clear your head. Maybe stick to your room until this blows over.”
Donovan frowns. “Come on. It’s not that big of a deal. I’ll make a joke—”
“You’re not taking the stage,” River says firmly through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, then why don’t you do it, President! Oh, wait. You never want to read—”
“Shut up, Donovan,” Benji mutters, scowling. “You’ve already dug a hole.”
“Go on out there,” River tells Benji, ignoring Donovan’s protests.
Benji leaves, the spotlight hitting him as he spreads his hands and grins broadly at the crowd. The lizard is still on his shoulder. “PARTY PEOPLE! Who’s ready to hear who won the toga contest? We’ve got one boy and one girl to crown King and Queen of the Greeks!” A spattering of applause and hoots come from the partiers.
“What happened back there?” a male voice from the audience yells out. “Y’all filming Days of Our Lives at the Kappa House?”
Benji laughs. “Hey, every day is a party with the Kappas. And the winners are…” He rattles off the names then—
“Who stole a car?” a voice cries out.
“Who had an affair with a married man?” another person asks. “Was it Ana?”
“Did Donovan break up with Ana?” comes from a girl near the front of the stage. “Tell us what happened, Benji!”
This is what happens when you date a guy from the most popular frat on campus. Everyone knows your business; they’re always watching.
They heard Donovan.
It sinks in, hard and sure, and Benji’s reply is lost as a roaring noise fills up the space in my ears. I press back against the wall. My stomach pitches, the dinner I had earlier rumbling.
Donovan scowls at River. “You had no right to send him out there! This is my house, my party, my last year here—”