Chapter 22

 CANDACE

The moment we stepped out of the police station, I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.

Bridgette walked beside me with her arms folded across her chest, looking exhausted rather than frightened now, although I could still see the tension in the way she carried herself.

Neither of us said anything as we made our way down the steps and toward the car, but there was one question that had been sitting in the back of my mind since last night.

“How did you even meet Derek?”

Bridgette glanced at me. “At the frat party.”

“I figured that much. I mean, how did you two actually meet?”

She sighed and unlocked the car. “We were both drunk. Not falling-over drunk, but drunk enough that I wasn’t thinking much about what I was doing. We talked for most of the night, he was funny, and eventually we ended up kissing. That was it.”

I frowned as I got into the passenger seat. “So you two dated?”

“No.” She shook her head as she started the engine. “It was literally one night. I made that very clear too. The next morning, he wanted to see me again, and I told him I wasn’t interested in anything serious. He kept asking for my number, so eventually I gave it to him because I thought it would be easier than having him follow me around the party.”

“And then?”

“He started texting me.”

“How often?”

Bridgette gave me a look. “Too often. Good morning texts, goodnight texts, random messages asking where I was, asking if I wanted to hang out. I told him several times that I wasn’t interested, but he just kept trying.”

My mouth fell open slightly. “And you didn’t think he would do something like this?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I thought he was annoying. That’s all. I didn’t think he was dangerous. I definitely didn’t think he’d show up at my apartment with a gun, rob me and shoot a hole through our wall.”

“That’s actually insane.”

“I know.”

I stared out the window as we drove, “Did he ever threaten you?”

“No.”

“Ever say anything that made you uncomfortable?”

“Not really. He was persistent, but I never thought much of it.” She shrugged. “I guess that’s what scares me. Maybe I should’ve taken him more seriously.”

“Don’t do that.”

She looked at me.

“Don’t blame yourself because some guy couldn’t understand the word no.”

Her expression softened.

“Thanks.”

I nodded and looked ahead, but before I could say anything else, Bridgette suddenly turned her head toward me.

“I didn’t even ask about yours.”

I frowned. “About what?”

“Your night at the party.”

My stomach tightened.

Bridgette smiled knowingly. “Did you meet any guy?”

I opened my mouth, but she immediately held up one finger.

“I know you have a boyfriend, and I’m not advising you to be unfaithful, but the way you were looking that night…” She gave me a slow once-over before letting out a low whistle. “Girl.”

Heat rushed into my face.

“I wasn’t looking at anyone.”

“Sure.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Candace.”

“What?”

“I know you.”

I looked away, suddenly fascinated by the passing buildings outside the window. “Nothing happened.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“Because you’re annoying me.”

She laughed. “You disappeared.”

“I was drunk.”

“You disappeared while you were drunk.”

“I went outside.”

“With who?”

“No one.”

Bridgette glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to the road.

“Okay.”

I knew that tone.

“What? You’re doing that thing.”

“What thing?”

“The thing where you pretend you’re not going to keep asking me questions when I know you’re absolutely going to keep asking me questions.”

She laughed again. “Fine. Tell me.”

“There is nothing to tell.”

“You met someone.”

“No.”

“You did.”

“I didn’t.”

“You absolutely did.”

I covered my face with both hands. “Why are you like this?”

“Because you’re terrible at lying.”

I dropped my hands into my lap and stared at them for several seconds before finally giving up.

“Fine.”

Bridgette’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. You did.”

“I kissed someone.”

Her mouth fell open.

“You kissed someone?”

“It was one time.”

“Candace!”

“I know.”

“With a stranger?”

“Yes.”

“Who was he?”

“I don’t know.”

She stared at me as I’d just told her I’d joined a cult.

“You don’t know his name?”

“No.” I denied

“How do you kiss somebody and not even know their name?”

“I don’t know, Bridgette. It happened.”

She shook her head slowly, still looking stunned. “I can’t believe you.”

“I know.”

“And Jake?”

My chest tightened. “I love Jake.” The words came out too quickly.

Bridgette’s expression changed. “I know you do.”

“I do. I love him,” I repeated, quieter this time.

She didn’t respond immediately.

I looked down at my hands, picking at the edge of my fingernail.

“It was stupid,” I said. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I was drunk, and it was one night, and I’m never going to see him again. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Bridgette watched me carefully.

“Do you regret it?”

I swallowed.

“Yes.”

The answer came out much softer than everything else.

She nodded.

“Then that’s what matters.”

I looked at her.

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I’m your friend.”

“Exactly. I’m your friend. I’m not your judge.” She reached over and squeezed my hand briefly before returning it to the steering wheel. “You made a stupid decision. You know it was stupid. You don’t need me making you feel worse about it.”

A small smile pulled at my lips.

“Thanks.”

“Besides, you don’t even know the guy’s name. He’s basically a temporary glitch.”

I laughed.

“A very stupid glitch.”

“A very stupid, apparently attractive glitch.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing again.

By the time we reached my apartment, the conversation had shifted to everything except men. We ordered food, changed into comfortable clothes and settled on the couch with a movie playing in the background. For the first time since the break-in, Bridgette seemed relaxed enough to laugh without forcing it.

Halfway through the movie, she fell asleep with her head resting against the arm of the couch.

I smiled when I noticed and carefully pulled a blanket over her before reaching for my phone.

Several messages were waiting for me, including one from Jake asking if I was home.

I smiled at the screen and replied, telling him I was fine and that I would talk to him tomorrow.

I was about to put my phone down when it buzzed again.

I glanced at the screen.

Mom: I’ll be coming to LA in two weeks. I hope you’re prepared to see me.