I Promise You: Stand-Alone College Sports Romance(78)

“Let me take their table. Zena has me on the floor with food now.”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Why are you torturing yourself?” She puts her hands on her hips.

Maybe I need to see them together. I pause. I didn’t have to accept this job tonight. I could have skipped it and picked one up in a week or so.

I wanted to see them together.

Because…

Do I want him to screw up? Am I self-sabotaging? Maybe. My throat tightens.

By the time I return, Ashley’s tapping her fingers on the table.

“No raspberry vinaigrette, sorry. I brought what we had: French and oil and vinegar.” I plunk them down.

“How disappointing.”

“Get over it, Ashley,” Chantal grouses.

Ashley’s fork falls to the carpet, and her stiletto knocks it under the table. “Oops. I can’t reach it. Can you get that for me, Serena?” She looks up and smiles at me.

“I’ve got it,” Dillon says as he bends down and snatches it. He stands from his chair and gives the fork to me. He clenches my hand. “Look at me, Serena—”

I push away from him, my voice cool. “Excuse me, let me get a new one.”

“And extra lemons for my tea,” Ashley calls to my back.

I hear Dillon arguing with her as I march off.

Romy waits at the door in the kitchen. She’s been working the other side of the room, delivering the entrees. She pulls the tray out of my hands. “Your face is red, sis. I’m taking over before you jump on the table and pull her hair out. You work my tables and I’ll get yours.”

“No.”

She stomps her foot. “What are you trying to prove? She’s trying to get a rise out of you! Alexa, play ‘You Need To Calm Down’.”

But I have to do this.

When I bring out the chicken and roasted vegetables, Ashley complains hers is cold and asks for a new plate, her water glass needs more ice, her rolls require more butter, and when I bring out the chocolate soufflé, she whines that hers has fallen and can I see if the chef has one that is adequate.

Dillon sits stiff and tense, his jaw popping as I turn around to get a new soufflé. I hear a chair scraping the floor and footsteps behind me. He’s followed me and grabs my elbow. “Jesus, Serena. I’m sorry—”

“Please go back to your table. I’m busy.”

He gets a panicked look on his face. “Serena. No. Stop. Don’t push me away—”

I pull away from him and walk into the kitchen.

My heart thumps so loud I’m sure it’s going to pop out of my chest. Somewhere between the salad and the soufflé, I’ve become a teetering domino, just waiting to fall.

“Most of the hard work is done,” Romy says, her eyes narrowed as she sees me. “Why don’t you take a break?”

I nod jerkily. “Good idea.” I pull off my apron, hand it over to her, and leave the hall. Without a destination in mind, I take the stairs and walk until I’m out of the student center and outside on the sidewalk. The October air is crisp, alive with the feel of autumn. I suck in air, trying to calm down.

Relationships fail when people bring their insecurities to the table and project them as their partner’s flaws. I know this. Overthinking poisons. So, don’t do it! I tell myself. Have a little faith in the guy. Stop twisting scenarios in your head. So what if he doesn’t smell right? Troy probably spritzed him with something. Ashley is provoking you and you’re letting her. He never wanted to be the prize in the stupid contest.

Feeling better, I reapply my lipstick and head back inside.

I reach the hallway that leads to the banquet hall but stop when I hear my name, easing back behind the corner. Peeking around, I see Dillon, Troy, and Sawyer.

“Chantal is barely talking to me,” Troy grumbles. “She only asked me because she needed a date.”

“Where did Serena get off to?” Dillon asks. “She’s upset.”

I back away and hide, my chest rising. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I never was one to pass up an opportunity…

“Romy said she came out here. Do you think she left?” Dillon asks.

Troy says, “What’s up with you and her? You’ve done your challenge with her. You checked it off—”

“Our toughest team is Bama, though. He needs to hang in until then,” Sawyer adds.

I start. Hang in for Bama?

A roaring sound fills my ears as the ramifications of what they’re discussing slams into me. No way. It can’t…

Their voices lower, a flurry of words darting between them. A sick feeling growing in my stomach as I strain to hear, only catching bits and pieces.

“…you rode the unicorn from freshman year…” says Troy.

“…one that got away…” comes from Sawyer.

“Leave it alone…” growls Dillon, the rest of his words tapering off as I hear them open the doors of the banquet hall and head back inside.

Mortification fills me as I put the words together. Is this the bet thing Neil mentioned? A variation of it?

“That was enlightening,” Ashley’s voice says from behind me.

I whip around, my face hot. She must have come from the restrooms.

She adjusts the gold necklace around her throat. “Funny, I wondered what he saw in you. You’re short term, Serena. Once he’s done with this challenge thing, which I confess is news to me, he’ll end it.”