“Have you heard from April lately? I haven’t emailed her in a month. She probably thinks I’m mad at her.”
I never told Katie or Hannah about Ezra and April, maybe it was because school was ending soon, or because I wasn’t very close with them, but I think a part of it had to do with embarrassment and a strange sense of loyalty that had me wanting to spare her feelings and our roommates’ reactions. “We kind of grew apart over the summer and haven’t talked much.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
I shake my head, dismissively. “No. It’s fine.”
Her brow furrows as she looks at me for another minute. I think she wants to delve into it further, ask for details or maybe confirmation, but she seems to feel the same uncertainties about our relationship and flashes a supportive smile, instead. “How have things been going with Nolan? Has he done anything stupid or obnoxious I should know about? I feel bad that I’ve spent every night at Carsen’s but having him stay here seems awkward as fuck.”
I chuckle, leaning my chin in my hands. “Are he and Nolan friends?”
“Carsen has a total man crush on Nolan. I swear. It’s so weird. And Nolan shoots Carsen warning glares every time he stands beside me.”
My laughter fills the kitchen, trying to imagine Carsen, who I never see without a polo or button down and slacks, his hair always slicked back, trying to navigate Nolan’s intimidating posturing.
“Does your brother try and pull the same big brother, overprotective crap?”
I shake my head. “I think because of our age difference it deterred it. He was already moved out of the house before I started middle school. He might have tried playing the role with Lanie, but I’m pretty sure she would have kicked him in the ass if he tried.”
Katie grins. “You’re lucky. Normally, I don’t mind staying at Carsen’s, but his roommate has been off this week, and I don’t enjoy living out of my trunk.”
“Maybe Nolan will get over it if he sees him stay a couple of nights. You might have to test the theory unless you want to try convincing Carsen to sneak in your bedroom window.”
“I’m not opposed to the idea.” She seems to consider the possibility. “That oak tree is right outside my window.”
I chuckle, trying to imagine Carsen climbing a tree in his leather loafers. “Carsen will break his arm, or leg, or both so unless you have plans to play naughty nurse games that likely won’t be that fun, you might want to revise that plan.”
She sighs. “I’ll probably just keep staying at Carsen’s until Nolan gets this out of his system and moves back into the dorm. He’s only doing this to prove a point. Besides, Carsen’s roommate doesn’t care.”
“What point is Nolan making?”
“That his coach nor the university can tell him what to do. Nolan has always hated conformity. It’s like he’s allergic to being told what to do. Tell him to duck and he’ll jump, tell him to slow down and he’s going to sprint.”
That itch beneath my skin seems to come alive at her words.
“And he gets away with it because he’s a boy and he can run fast and catch a ball, so people believe that makes him special.”
“But Camden requires a lot from their athletes, doesn’t it?”
Katie tilts her head fractionally. “Genetics or the laws of nature were too kind to him. It’s infuriating because he’s smart, smarter than smart but he wastes it. He doesn’t care about school or his career, sometimes I’m not even sure he cares about football.” She shakes her head as though ridding the negative path our conversation is heading down. “Anyway, if he does do anything stupid or annoying, just let me know. I told him that living here is conditional and if he does anything to piss one of you off, he’s out.”
“You guys aren’t very close, are you?”
“We were.” Pain lances her features for a fraction of a second. “But then he became Mr. Popular jock, and all he cared about was parties, and being the coolest guy in his class.”
It’s my turn to wince, seeing her betrayal and disappointment in her frown and bowed shoulders.
“Enough about Nolan. What are you doing at home?”
I release a weighted sigh. “Debating how important my degree is,” I admit.
Katie raises her brow and pulls her chin back. “Rough day?”
“Rough week. I’m taking a public speaking class, and it’s literally the worst class ever. Our professor is making us give our first speech Monday, and I have no idea what I’m going to talk about. I have the weekend to write it.”
“Ah. So you’re pre-suffering.”
“I’m suffering adjacent,” I correct her.