107 - The chapter where Rose crosses the line

Rose

We left the room together and headed to the common area to meet the boys. Theo seemed delighted to see Cam ready for his date, and he wasted no time in leaving the place with her.

But what struck me most was Christian's absence. I hadn't expected that from him, and as much as I didn't want to admit it, I didn't want him to walk away from everyone. Deep down I imagined that it would be like always when we fought, we would exchange a few hints and teasing, and at most, we would ignore each other, but no....

" Who's going to attract more attention by coming out publicly? Us or those two? " Liam commented next to Sky.

" I'd rather not think about attracting any attention," Sky sighed.

" Sky, everyone from the college will be in town today and you'll be appearing together. And I hope you'll give her one of your movie kisses, Liam." I teased my friend, trying to get rid of Christian that wouldn't leave my mind.

But if he thinks he's going to manipulate me so easily by playing the outcast, he's very wrong!

I hitched a ride with Sky to an old mill that had been turned into a bar near the center of grayfox mills. This was the opening of the place and it was pretty crowded and I recognized most of the people there from campus. As soon as we got out of the car, Liam slung his arm around our shoulders, standing between Skyller and I, guiding us to the entrance of the establishment.

" You know, you should pay more attention to Sky, they're used to seeing you with both of us, they won't get the message " I teased him.

" I don't care about that at all, Rose," Sky assured.

" Rose, you're still my girl and I'm going to be with you the whole time. Except when you decide to assume you're Davis' girl, then I'll leave the honors to him," my friend teased.

I gave him a cross look, getting annoyed by his teasing. What's his problem for mentioning that name just when I think I'll be able to distract myself a little.

" Then I'll always be your girl, Liam. Why is the other option not going to happen! " I pointed out sulkily.

He brushed that story aside, pretending not to have heard anything as he led us into the place. Unfortunately I couldn't convince anyone that I was old enough to drink, so I ended up getting a stamp indicating that I was underage, leaving me with the only option to settle for the non-alcoholic cocktails on the house.

Liam soon let me go once we got a good spot to watch the band perform More Than a Feeling. If before he and Skyller were attracting attention for being closer than ever, now everyone who was there and was from the college was whispering thanks to the kisses that Liam didn't hesitate to steal from the girl at all times, leaving me a little out of place. I hated being the third person in the group, but there wasn't much I could do. I didn't feel like walking away from the two of them, especially after seeing Audrey and Allie walk in.

All I didn't need was to have Allie bragging about making a fool of me and I had avoided that encounter so far and all I didn't want was to run into her in a public place where my humiliation could be complete. Every moment my gaze wandered around the place and as much as I tried to lie to myself saying I wasn't looking for Christian, I knew the truth.

I tried to concentrate on the live music, but every time I tried, they were playing more depressing music.

What's wrong with these people? Maybe I should go out and try the mechanical bull they have installed outside.

" 'You don't look like you're enjoying yourself, Rose,” Liam caught my eye.

"I'm not. Maybe I should try the mechani…”

Before I could finish my sentence, I bumped into someone behind me as I took a step backwards in an attempt to get away from the two.

" I'm sorry,” I asked as I turned around.

" Rose?”

A small smile appeared on my face as I recognized Joshua, the tattoo artist from the studio that did my tattoos.

" Hey, good to see you," I offered him, smiling openly as I noticed his eyes roaming over my body in a discreet manner.

Joshua was a few years older than me, I guessed he must be around thirty and I couldn't deny that he had some charm, not that he was exactly handsome.

He had short brown hair and an unshaven beard, and the numerous tattoos he displayed on the few patches of skin exposed by the clothes he wore made him look like a rock star, and maybe that was his great charm in the end.

But at that moment, it wasn't what I expected. As much as I was hurt, I had no interest in getting involved with anyone so soon. And that resolution that stopped me from matching the way he looked at me, then saying goodbye as Sky approached, finally pulling away from Liam for a second.

" Rose, are you really going to try the mechanical bull? " She asked, attracting the attention of the man, who raised both eyebrows, seeming to doubt it.

I myself doubted that I could do it, but when Free Bird started playing, I decided to get rid of that torture once and for all.

" I need to get a hat," I quipped, "Bye Josh, good to see you..."

The man let out a small laugh before turning his attention to a group of friends who were watching me curiously as I walked away towards the exit.

" 'Who's that? " Liam asked nonchalantly.

" He's responsible for this." I brought my hand up to the tattoo on my collarbone, partially exposed by the jacket I was wearing that night.

A gust of wind hit my face as soon as we left the inside of the bar, making me take a deep breath, finally thankful that this night wasn't as cold as the others, allowing us to actually enjoy some outdoor activity.

" Funny, I thought Davis was responsible for that,” he shrugged.

I stopped walking, throwing an annoyed glance at my friend for his insistence on the subject.

" Can you stop being an asshole? I already asked you not to touch his name!”

Sky sighed, seeming determined not to get directly involved in that clash, leaving the two of us to sort it out on our own.

" You know you're going to have to talk to him at some point, Rose. We're going to live in the same house,” he returned.

" 'And I bet it'll be a big enough house that I won't have to look at him,” I muttered in reply. “Why are you harping on this?”

" Because I did ask them for the chance to explain myself to you, since you won't even let me near you for the past few days" I heard the voice that haunted my dreams and cut my heart ring out directly behind me.

I turned to him feeling a whirlwind of emotions start inside me. Looking into his blue eyes at that moment caused me a mixture of pain and longing. I missed him so much, and then I was angry at myself for feeling this way.

" I've already made it clear that I don't want to hear any explanation from you. There is no explanation for what I saw! " I pointed out.

" You'd be surprised,” he moved closer, lowering his voice, watching me lovingly, making my resolve to push him away waver a little.

I would give in to him, I knew I would. That's when part of my mind woke up from that spell and, turning away from him, I threw him an annoyed look for almost bending so easily.

That's why I didn't want to hear a single word from him. Because I knew that deep down I wanted to forgive him for everything. But I couldn't. I couldn't afford to be hurt by him again.

" You know what surprised me? Seeing my boyfriend with a hickey on his neck, leaving the room with the girl who hates me the most on earth " I decided to put out everything that had been pent up since that day " what surprised me was seeing how a liar like you managed to manipulate me and make me vulnerable just to cheat on me at the first opportunity!”

" I didn't do that! My God Rose, I was the person who supported you in every situation, I would never do anything, ANYTHING to hurt you " he raised his voice, sounding desperate. And once again he almost fooled me.

" Rose, why don't you two go somewhere else and talk it out? " Sky suggested, noticing that our argument was attracting unnecessary attention.

My eyes began to water, but I refused to shed another tear for him. And at that moment I did the only thing that would stop me from crying, I lashed out. I knew I was acting like a brat, but I couldn't help it. Not when I felt as hellishly exposed as I did at that moment.

"I'm never going anywhere with him again. The biggest regret I have is that damn party where I felt pity enough for the pathetic situation you got yourself into to let him into my life."

" Holy shit,” I heard Liam cursing behind me as Christian stared at me with a hurt expression.

" Pity? " I noticed that he struggled to control his tone.

Christian was no longer trying to convince me of anything, in his gaze there was only hurt and I hated myself for my mean words. Deep down I knew I just wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt me. And that was awful.

" Chris..." I stammered, not sure what to say to ease the situation.  Maybe I should just listen to his explanation.

But he didn't allow me to finish that sentence, he just turned his back and walked to the entrance of the mill, ignoring me completely.

" Damn it, Rose! " Sky muttered, turning away to follow the boy.

"You screwed up big time, Campbell," Liam gave me a weary look before following his girlfriend.

Campbell? No funny nickname?

Why are they on his side? They should be supporting me!

Deciding to stop wasting time, I followed the three of them into the bar, looking for Christian among the people crowded there. That's when my heart stopped for a beat as I saw what his fate was.

He wouldn't do that!