I don’t like how easy it is for him to hold Skylar. His arm is across her shoulders, and they are even holding their hands together, locked fingers and all. Jealousy consumes me just by looking at them.
“What would Alex say?” I ask, pulling her brother card.
“Enough, Holden. You’re not my father, okay? I can do whatever I want.”
“Your parents are relying on us to take care of you.”
“So I left one jail to go to this one?” she asks, flinging her arms up. “You’re driving me crazy.”
“You can have fun. Alex and I—”
“Stop right there! I don’t want you, or anyone else to show me a good time. I can have a good time all on my own, and I don’t need my big brother to make friends for me. Come on, Adrian. We’re out of here.”
I watch as she goes with Adrian, and doesn’t even look back. Fuck. Fuck. I fucked up big time.
Running fingers through my hair, I stand and watch her leave with that bastard.
“Damn. I guess next time you should trust me when it comes to doing crazy ass shit like this,” Claire says.
I turn to look at her, and then back at the dust from Adrian’s bike. Everything that has just happened has left me in some kind of shock. I never thought I’d see the day that Skylar would rather fight me than be with me.
I’ve taken her crush for granted, and so far, little by little, she is withdrawing from me.
“As much as I love to stand looking off into the distance, I’d really like to get back to my dorm and study. Don’t you think you’ve seen enough for one night?”
“She always had a crush on me,” I say before I can even stop myself.
“I know. She did tell me.”
I head back to the car feeling like the world’s biggest loser. “Did she say anything else about me?”
“You want to know now?”
“Yeah, I do.”
She releases a sigh. “Okay, fine. She just wants the chance to live her life, Holden. Between you and her brother, you’re suffocating her. I did warn you of this before we came out on this crazy drive. Did you get what you wanted out of it?”
“No. You know I didn’t.”
I drive back to her dorm in a bit of a haze. I can’t believe how my life has turned out. This shouldn’t be happening.
“Skylar’s a great girl. I enjoy rooming with her,” Claire says.
I force a smile. “Are you feeling sorry for me now?”
“Just a little bit. You look like someone took away your favorite toy. Girls grow up, Holden. We don’t stay loving the same guy, or waiting forever.”
Pulling into her dorm, I see several chicks stare our way. “Thank you for accompanying me.”
“I’ll totally kick your ass if I end up being on the naughty list with Sky. I like her. Take care, Holden. Maybe one day, I’ll actually get to see a fight.”
“No. Not if I can help it.”
“Fighting can be hot, you know.” She climbs out of the car, and I watch her go. I’m not a complete asshole. I wait until I’m sure she’s safely inside her own building before heading back to my own.
Entering my place, I make my way toward my bedroom. I collapse onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling.
Talk about a total fuck up.
Pulling my cell phone in front of my face, I look at Skylar’s number. Is there any way I can gather some lost ground? I don’t want her to hate me, damn it. I want her to fucking like me, and right now, I feel her slipping through my fingers.
Opening up a message, I really don’t know what to type. I’m sorry seems too damn lame.
“Fuck!” Dropping my phone onto the bed, I rub at my temples. Everything will be better in the morning. It has to be. I won’t accept failing or losing Skylar. I can’t.