41. OMIT THE BITCH

41

OMIT THE BITCH

Summer

Harvey and I don't separate the following days. Aside from our separate classes, we are together 24/7. We didn't talk about it, but we are just taking our time reacquainting ourselves with each other. Much needs to be made right with us. Sex hasn't happened but it's not for the lack of sexual tension, we are both just letting it simmer as we enjoy each other.

Getting to know one another once more.

We study together, we sleep together. Luckily, there is no practice, so I don't have to deal with drama. Even at the house, the guys give us space as we follow each other everywhere.

But today is the day and I am packing a bag to go spend the night at their house. Even though me and Harv are going to San Franco for the engagement, we won't be spending the night. We are flying right back.

"I don't see why you need any clothes," Harvey says eyeing my bag with a few shorts, skirts, and mostly crop tops.

"I don't think I want to be naked all weekend, babe."

"You just had to take it to the gutter, I meant you could wear our clothes."

I roll my eyes. Of course he's lying.

"Don't act like you wouldn't prefer me in panties and thigh-high socks, Ford."

His want dances on his features even as he says, "I have two tests next week. I'm not trying to fail them."

"Weak is your flesh."

He chuckles. Familiar voices laugh outside, and I know exactly who it is. Hazel, Lin, and Gabby. Harvey stays on his phone. Then a knock comes and I want to shoot a whole dozen bullets at the door. What the fuck do they want now? I thought we were finished.

Harvey gets up from the bed as I walk to the door. He opens the door and I peep next to him, finding Hazel standing alone.

"What do you want?" Harvey asks in a clipped tone.

"Can I please talk to you?" She looks at me.

I look at Harvey who is still glaring at her.

"No," I answer.

"Su, I just want to apologize. I won't waste your time," she says and I wonder where her friends are. Did they leave her or are they around the corner? It is puzzling why she is still here trying to make nice with me.

As I stare at her face, I find myself saying, "I'll be in your room in a few minutes."

Harvey's head turns to me, his glare now directed to me. But I close the door on Hazel's face to tend to my man. "I am not going to be friends with her again, but I can let her say her peace and say mine. I thought we were friends and maybe we deserve real closure."

Harvey's face doesn't soften. "I still don't like it, but I'll wait. I'll finish up here and we can go. Caleb is almost finished cooking."

I give his cheek a kiss, grateful for his understanding then walk out and knock once before Hazel calls me inside. I walk in and stand in the middle of the room. It doesn't even feel right to sit anymore, we have become that foreign to one another. I can't believe this is the girl I once thought was my best friend.

"Like I said, I wanted to apologize, Su. It should have never happened the way it did," she starts, fingers knitting together, looking remorseful. That would fool me if I don't see through her now. Hazel is a manipulative bitch. How she steadily pushed me towards Logan even as she was fucking him right behind my back. Who does that?

"When did you start sleeping with him?" It is sheer curiosity at this point. I have my suspicions, but I want to be sure.

"Huh?" Her mouth hangs open, her glossy eyes wide. And all I can think is: what a fake ass bitch .

"When did this thing between you and Logan start?"

"I don't think—"

"I do."

She looks away almost dramatically and my itch to face-palm myself almost consumes me.

When she sees I'm not letting it up, she finally sighs. "Remember when you and Logan were supposed to go on a date and you dropped him to go to the hospital?"

The day Archer got sick. I don't know why I am surprised.

"Logan came looking for you around 10pm, he had been drinking and…"

When I see she doesn't plan on finishing, I push. "And?"

"One thing led to another, Su. I don't think you want the details."

"Oh, but I do. You slept with him. Where was Trevor?" I am purely curious. She and Trevor have always had a touch-and-go relationship. They were mostly together but there seemed to be nothing more than superficiality between them.

"H-he was there."

I'm sorry what? I have so many questions. It makes me want to smile to myself when I realize none of this is particularly hurtful, it's just gossip. Hazel got fucked by her friend's boyfriend in the presence of her maybe-boyfriend. So many questions.

"How did that happen?" I hate that I sound so nosy but fuck it maybe I am. And it pleases me that I am not taking this as personally as I maybe ought to.

She shrugs. "Trevor…he asked me to make him feel better."

Mouth. On. The. Floor.

Okay, I think I've heard enough. Maybe I should fold my curiosity. Harvey. I need to go to my boyfriend. We have a steak dinner by Caleb tonight and then a party at Martin's so I am really booked and busy.

Besides, I no longer have energy for this situation. Coming here has helped me a great deal, though. I got a lot of closure. What they all did was fucked up, but I can't be mad, I was playing my own game too.

"Well, I hope you are happy for the record," I say finally.

That seems to surprise her. "You aren't upset?"

"You were my friend and you betrayed me, but other than that, I never loved nor wanted Logan, so he was never mine to get butt hurt over. I am back where I belong and…I'm good." I find myself spilling truth and I may be wrong, but I see a flash of disappointment in her face before she flashes a smile. So fake.

"You are…okay with it?"

I shrug. "I am back with my boyfriends and best friends, Hazel. Life's good." I make sure to show her my genuine smile.

She rewards me with a smile that wants to be genuine but ends up almost plastic. I hope she doesn't hurt herself.

"Any—" the knock disturbs me. She opens the door and Harvey stands at the door, hands in his pocket, looking impatient.

"Foods ready," he says. I pass Hazel and place my hand on her shoulder.

"All the best in your future endeavors." I omit the ‘bitch,' but she got it.

Smiling, I leave with my boyfriend.

They can all go fuck themselves, respectfully and away from me and mine.

We head back to the house, and the lunch is amazing.

"Oh my god, Cal. This is so good." I moan at the mashed potatoes.

"Ugh, you know how I do," he replies with a cocky shrug.

"Pipe down, you ain't Gordon," Harvey says.

"Don't compare me with basic bitches, please." Caleb raises his fork to Harv.

Arch rolls his eyes from across the table as Jaden shovels on his plate.

"So, you excited about the party?" Caleb asks.

"I'm looking forward to getting some drinks in me. It's been so long since I danced on a pool table," I say.

"You plan on dancing on a table tonight?" Jaden asks, amused.

"Yup. It feels like a pool table-dancing night, don't you think?"

"I definitely want to see that," Caleb says.

Arch sighs. "Just great, I have to keep my eye on Harvey all night lest he loses his mind when someone thirsts over you."

We all laugh.

"You are the one we all will be watching for," Caleb says between laughs.

After dinner, we head to the party. It is the biggest party this weekend. I don't even remember what it's for exactly but then again, when do college students need a reason to get fucked up and make bad decisions?

I get more than a few second looks as I walk with Harvey's arm possessively over my shoulder. It feels like déjà vu.

It feels like the old days.

So much has happened the past few months and we have changed a lot as people, but we made it on the other side with the same love. I am as in love as ever and they are happy too.

"Fucking finally!" Martin practically screams when he sees us from across the room. He's so loud we hear him over the deafening music.

We do formal reintroductions and all in all, are received well by their new friends. I take a few drinks from them, and as promised, when my song comes on, I climb on the table.

Honestly, it is Jaden hyping me up more than anything. I swear Jaden can make me do anything. He is there to welcome me with a dizzying kiss when I get down. I giggle, completely happy.