You're to Blame(10)

“Do you think I was dumb for following Jacob here?” I’ve never asked this question of my best friend. It has sat in the back of my mind, hammering itself in until I had to take notice.

“Knowing what you know now? Maybe, but no dumber than me following you.” She winks. “What brought this up?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Just got to dreaming like you said.” I smile. “I hate you by the way.” I target my best friend. “My head aches, and my stomach’s in knots.”

“No one made you drink that much tequila.” Rachel holds up her hands in defense. “Did you at least have fun, get your mind off how monumentally shitty the world is these days?”

“Speaking of monumentally shitty, I saw him this morning.” A vision of Duke’s grin pops up into my mind. I shake the memory away.

“You mean Jacob?” she smirks, never allowing a moment to deliver a low blow pass. “Yeah, I assumed that’s where you disappeared to this morning.”

“No, I did visit Jacob, but I also saw Duke.”

“He’s a beauty, isn’t he?” Rachel winks. “I’ve seen him on campus, but I never noticed his tattoos until last night.”

“He had them his freshman year,” I state. Rachel gives me a questioning look as to how I know that. “Remember, we met him on our first visit to see Jacob?”

“Who are you looking for?” Duke’s emerald eyes penetrate me. He never once glances at Rachel, something I’m not used to. I tend to be overlooked, while she’s doted on.

“Who says I’m looking for anyone?” I pop my hands on my hips. The confidence is for show.

“Well, for starters, you’re like a fish out of water, walking in here wearing jeans and sneakers.” He leans against the rail, his arms crossed over his chest. The rolled sleeves of his Henley give me a better look at his tattoos. “You did a whole tour of the house without speaking to one single person, so yeah, I’d say you’re looking for someone.”

Well, crap.

“Jacob Matthews.” The tremble in my voice is a nice addition to this conversation. This guy makes me nervous. It could be the way he domineers the space, or maybe, his know-it-all, give-no-shits attitude brings on the unease. His personality engulfs me, making me feel small and insignificant.

“Of course, you are,” he mutters under his breath, turning away and waving over his shoulder. “Follow me.”

He’s stopped by several girls desperate for his attention, but he brushes them off and stomps past. So, he’s popular, this guy. Whoever he is, people in this house want to be near him. Even the guys step out to earn a second of his time. Duke halts to a standstill and spins around, and I almost collide with him. I hold my hands up to stop us from touching.

“Don’t worry, Charlotte. We’ll get you to Jacob before midnight. That’s when princesses like you turn into pumpkins, right?” he sneers.

“Actually, she didn’t turn into a pumpkin. Her carriage did.”

His lips flatten into a thin line. Eyes narrowed, he swings around and shoves past the crowd to the backyard.

“Your Prince Charming is right over there.” Duke nods his head dismissively past the crowd. His breath tickles my ear. “Don’t let your carriage turn into a pumpkin before midnight, Cinderella,” he whispers.

“That wasn’t him, was it?” Rachel questions after I recall our first encounter.

“It was.”

I’m just as surprised as Rachel that this Duke is the same one we met two years ago. The old Duke was abrasive. He’s still cocky, which is perfectly paired with the delicious artwork on his arms. His outer appearance may have changed from then to now, but what remains is his willingness to help.

“Hot then, still hot now.” She fans her face, breaking me from the trip down memory lane.

“Seeing him this morning was awkward.” I rub the back of my neck, agitated it hadn’t gone how I imagined.

“What did you expect? You basically said he’s the reason Jacob’s in a coma, and as far as I know, Jacob’s the closest thing to a friend Duke has on campus.”

“He was there that night. I know he was, because Jacob took a phone call from him before storming out.”

“Char, we won’t know until he wakes up. He’ll be able to tell us then, okay? But don’t take it out on Duke in the meantime,” Rachel argues, elbowing me in the side.

An anxious laugh bubbles out of my mouth. The truth will come out. I’m not sure I really want to hear Jacob say the wreck was my fault.

“Are you only saying this because you think Duke is hot?” I yawn, exhausted from last night. She gives me that look, the one that says ‘give me a break’. “No, you’re right.”

“I better get going.” Rachel kisses me on the cheek. “I’m going to be late for my study group.”

“Even I don’t have study group on Sundays.”

“I’m just more dedicated.” She flutters her eyelashes. “Go sleep off the hangover.”

“I’ll be home late tonight,” I say.

“I know.” She sighs. “You’ll be at the hospital.” She hikes her bag up onto her shoulder before it slips to the ground below.

“I have to be there when he wakes up,” I explain for the hundredth time since his accident.