January Dreams Carrigan Richards (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

He nods. “Cherry told me you stayed the night and I got crazy. I didn’t know anything else happened.”

I can understand that. If someone told me that Vincent stayed at a girl’s house without knowing the full story, I probably would have freaked out. “I forgive you, Vincent. I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

He pulls me into an embrace, and I wince a little, but he’s gentle. He kisses my forehead, and I’m content by the warm way he holds me. I can feel his heartbeat racing.

I draw back a little to face him. “Look, I know you and Casper hate each other for some reason, but had it not been for him the other night, who knows what would have happened. The guy had a gun.”

He tenses and I see the muscle in his jaw twitch. He looks pained and remorseful, like he blames himself.

“You don’t have to deal with Casper at all, but he’s my friend. I love you, Vincent. Not Casper, so please don’t be jealous.”

He searches my eyes for a moment. “Why are you his friend? He’s been awful to you. I thought you couldn’t stand him.”

“I’ve gotten to know him.”

“Okay,” he says, but I can still see doubt in his eyes. I hate it. What happened to him that made him so untrusting? “Let me walk you to class.”

When I meander into chemistry, the teacher gives me a tardy slip, and I take my seat. I feel Cherry staring at me, but we don’t talk. It’s so stupid. Why is she being difficult?

I don’t go to lunch because I’m not hungry and I don’t want to sit by myself since Cherry isn’t talking to me. Instead, I hang out in the library with my head on the desk. I hate that the only thing I can think about is Adam and the attack.

By English, I’m worn out and ready to go home. I’m so grateful that I’m off tonight. I can’t work.

“Hey.” I hear a smooth voice beside me and my pulse edges higher.

I turn and meet Casper’s brown eyes. “Hey.”

“How are you holding up?”

I shrug. “I’m okay. I don’t wanna be here.”

“I’m sorry, Megan. Is there anything I can do?”

I shake my head. “Vincent and Cherry think we slept together.”

“What? Didn’t you tell them what happened?”

“No details. Vincent apologized, but Cherry still refuses to talk to me. She’s the one who told him I stayed at your house.”

“Damn. I can understand why he’d be pissed.”

“Both of them hate you and think it’s a bad idea for us to be friends. Why can’t they see you the way I do?”

“How do you see me?”

I don’t expect that. “You’re completely different than I ever imagined. You’re thoughtful and you always seem to be there when I need you.”

“You didn’t always feel that way. We’ve only started being friends.”

“Why is that? If you’ve liked me for as long as you say you have, why did you wait so long to say something to me?”

“I may not be shy, but that doesn’t mean I have the guts to walk up to the prettiest girl in school.”

“That doesn’t make sense. I mean, if you felt that way, you would’ve stopped the rumors about me.”

“I never said I was a smart guy. I’m not perfect. Why do you even care about the rumors anyway? It’s just insecure people being bored with themselves.”

“So easy for you to say when you’re you and I’m me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You can get away with anything and no one cares. They’ll still think you’re awesome. Or cool or whatever.”

“Why do you even care what they think?” He leans over, closer to me, lowering his voice. “You’re better than them. You’re amazing, strong, beautiful, sexy and thoughtful. If no one else sees that then they’re missing out. But I bet Vincent sees it.”

I feel my cheeks redden, loving the warmth I feel throughout me. “Why would you say that? Don’t you hate him?”

“I don’t hate him. Just don’t particularly like him.”

“Didn’t you once tell me to stay away from him?”

“Yeah, but as much as you may not believe this, I want you to be happy. If he makes you happy, then that’s all that matters. I meant what I said that if all we can be is friends, that’s good enough for me. Besides, it’s your life. You make your own decisions.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Casper sighs. “I’m really trying here, okay? Yeah, I like you a lot. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is because of the dreams that I feel this strongly toward you.” He shakes his head. “Do you enjoy hearing my misery?”

“No. I’m curious.”

I want to hear his words, what he feels for me, but I feel like I’m being unfair to Vincent. I love Vincent and I feel a connection. But why is he so jealous? Because he’s afraid I’ll leave him? Okay, staying at Casper’s wasn’t the greatest idea on my part.

On the other hand, I’m drawn by Casper. I enjoy being around him. Our shared dreams could be the one thing pulling me to him, but I feel like it’s something else.

What am I supposed to do? I’ve never been in this position. No matter my decision, someone gets hurt. How is it possible to feel this way for two different men?

Chapter Twenty-Six

When Casper and I walk out into the hallway, people stop and stare at us. I clutch my books to my chest as my throat tightens.

“Casper, way to go!” Some guy shouts.

“What?” Casper asks, confused.

“Way to hit that,” someone else yells.

Heat fills my cheeks. What are they talking about? Girls look at me like I’m some rodent.

I can’t believe