Stress usually exacerbated my condition, even though I did my best to stay on top of everyday routines. Only I hadn’t been lately, and that was on me. I would have to focus on what I could change. And that was to work on my studies, drink water as I should, and pretend like I didn’t have a care in the world. Because that was what I was known for, being laid-back. And that’s what I would keep doing.
Even if it potentially killed me.
I winced at that thought and pulled into the garage behind the home where I lived with three of my friends. At one point, there had been a fifth, but Sanders was no more. And though he would still roam the campus halls and lurk around unsuspecting girls, I didn’t have to have him in my house anymore, at least.
After Tanner had beaten him in that fight, Sanders had told everybody that he didn’t want to be in the same room with a bruiser and then left. We all knew it was because Sanders wanted nothing to do with us anymore once we took Mackenzie’s side. We wanted nothing to do with him, either. Dillon, Tanner, Miles, and I weren’t sorry he was gone. Our landlord and benefactor had been nice about not increasing our rent after Sanders left, and maybe one day, we would add another roommate. But for now, the current dynamic worked. Sanders had always been slightly different from the other guys anyway, probably because the kid always seemed to land on his feet no matter where he went or what happened. He was currently living with his brother, and his parents were working on getting him a flat.
I didn’t care what he did. I didn’t put much thought into what most kids did, as long as they didn’t do it near me.
I walked into the house, grabbed my water from the fridge, and headed to my room. Dillon and Elise were in the living room, talking about their course load for the next day. I figured they’d go up to Dillon’s room later and enjoy their evening. I could hear Miles behind his door, talking on the phone to someone. Probably his parents, wondering exactly what he had done for the day and if he’d eaten his vegetables.
I didn’t see Tanner anywhere, but he could be brooding in a corner for all I knew. My friends might joke that I saw all and knew all. I just happened to be more observant than most. At least, I liked to think so.
I closed the door behind me, popped an ibuprofen, and lay down on my bed after I took a big gulp of water.
My head hurt, but that would go away soon. At least, I hoped. My heart, though? I didn’t know what to do with that.
My parents had loved each other. They were the epitome of what I thought romance should be. They were together through the good times, the hard times, and the unbearable times.
And now, all of a sudden, they weren’t together anymore.
My father might be a little stuck-up and overbearing at times, but he also smiled and laughed and taught me to play chess with a grin on his face and his heart on his sleeve.
And yet, my parents didn’t love each other anymore. What the hell was I supposed to do with that?
Falling out of love unexpectedly seemed to be a recent occurrence, which reminded me of Mackenzie. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked down at the screen. I settled onto my pillows a bit so I was sitting up, took another sip of my water, and figured I might as well keep stirring the pot. Mackenzie needed a friend, and I had a feeling that while her new roommates might be trying to make sure she was part of their crew, she still felt off. Distant. I couldn’t blame her for that. It was an odd situation—Corinne being gone, and Mackenzie moving in. It might be a new house for them all, but there were distinct layers there that I wasn’t sure everybody realized they had waded into.
Mackenzie needed a friend. And hell, maybe I did, too.
Me: Did you think about my offer?
I grinned, imagining her scowling at her phone as she looked down at it. Either that or she’d toss it against the wall and pretend I hadn’t texted at all.
Mackenzie: Not at all. I have some things to worry about. Like meetings with my advisor and school. And all the syllabuses or syllabi that I have to read.
I grinned.
Me: I think you’re lying.
Mackenzie: I think you are too cocky for your own good.
I laughed.
Me: Maybe. I can’t help it. It’s just me.
I tried not to think about the fact that she had used the word cock in a sentence. I did my best to ignore it. I wasn’t flirting with her to flirt with her. I was trying to make her smile. I couldn’t want her that way. I didn’t do serious, and Mackenzie was all about the serious. I only wanted to make her smile. Because I knew that she missed that.
Mackenzie: You’re incorrigible then. And no, I haven’t thought about your offer.
Me: And that’s another lie.
She was silent for so long I was afraid she really had thrown her phone.
Mackenzie: Fine, it was a lie. Why would you say something like that? Why would you offer?
Me: Because, my darling Mackenzie, a rebound doesn’t need to be defined by what society says it is. It can be whatever you need it to be.
Mackenzie: I don’t understand you.
Me: Nobody ever does. Go on a date with me, Mackenzie. Show the world that you bounced back, are happy, and are ready to worry about your journey and not what they think.
Mackenzie: So, you’re saying you want to be my rebound for other people?
Me: No, I want to be your rebound because I don’t want you to worry about other people.
Mackenzie: I don’t understand you, Pacey.
I smiled, knowing she was repeating herself.
Me: You don’t need to. Just think about it.
Mackenzie: I have class tomorrow. So do you. And you know damn well I’ll be thinking about it.
I smiled and drank more of my water.
Me: Good, my plan is complete. Sleep well, Mackenzie. And think and dream about me.
Mackenzie: Not even in the slightest, Pace.
I smiled at the nickname.
Me: But I’ve planted the seed in your head. You won’t be able to resist me.
Mackenzie: You annoy me. I’ll see you in class. I hate you.
Me: You don’t. That’s why you’re thinking about me. Your favorite rebound.
I set down the phone, knowing she wouldn’t text again. I would see her in class tomorrow, and then I’d determine what to do. Because I knew that even through her scowl, a smile would appear.
And maybe, just maybe, the semester wouldn’t be so terrible, after all.
Chapter 3
Mackenzie
“How do we already have so much work? It’s only been a week.”
I looked up at Nessa and smiled. “Because it’s college, and they’re all trying to outdo one another,” I replied snarkily, and Nessa just rolled her eyes.
“At least you like your classes. I’m still trying to figure out if I even like my major.”
I shook my head. “You do. This semester is just different.”
“I think I tell myself that every semester. Say I’ll get used to it. But then I find myself wanting to watch Netflix and drink tea and pretend that I don’t have to do anything, and money just comes to me.”
“That’s the dream,” Natalie added as she frowned over her textbook. Elise sat on the other end of the couch, a frown on her face as she looked at her syllabus. I sighed, knowing that while the rest of them could probably do some of their coursework online, I had a paper that I could try to focus on, but I had proofs that needed to be done first and on paper. That’s what happened when you were a math major.