CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
February
Crosby
I crossed campus with the straps of my backpack clutched in my cold hands. I had no idea February in Alabama could be so unforgiving. Across the quad I spotted Sabrina walking beside Caden’s roommate, the one they call Forester. It had been two weeks since she walked out of my life, and it took everything in me not to quicken my pace and approach her. Instead, I watched from a safe distance. A cold knot formed in the deep recesses of my gut at the way her smile beamed when she spoke to him. At one time that smile had been reserved for me.
I stopped walking and watched as Forester placed his hand on her head and messed up her hair, like a big brother would to his sister. Maybe she wasn’t moving on with him, but she would move on. I’d given her no reason not to. And if that video ever went viral, she’d do more than move on.
Xavier had been keeping an eye out for it, and it still wasn’t out there. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t torture waiting for it to be released. I was constantly wondering what Jeremy was waiting for. What I’d do to push him to do it. Maybe he already had the time planned out. Who the hell knew…
Sabrina hurried away from Forester and climbed the steps to the psych building.
Images of our time there over Christmas break plagued my mind. All the nights I’d snuck her in. All the times she’d kept me company…and busy. Now the building was nothing but a reminder of how much my life sucked.
Sabrina
I rushed inside the building and ducked around the corner, leaning against the wall and dragging in deep breaths. It hadn’t been easy to avoid Crosby the way I had been. I didn’t realize how many times our paths would’ve crossed over the course of a day if I hadn’t taken up new routes to classes and found different places to eat.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I slipped it out and lifted it to my ear. “Hey, Mom. How was the cruise?”
“Oh, my goodness. It was so nice and relaxing. But we missed you.”
“I know. School always gets in the way. I should just quit and travel the world with you guys.”
“Bite your tongue,” she admonished.
I laughed.
“So, how’s the new semester going?”
I glanced around at the students rushing in and out of the building before I turned to face the wall to obstruct the noise. “It’s fine.”
“Fine’s not amazing,” my mother said. “How’s Crosby?”
Why was Crosby the only thing anyone wanted to talk about? “I’m not sure. We’re not seeing each other anymore.”
“What happened?”
“I really don’t feel like talking about it.”
“Oh, honey.” There was a long pause on her end. I knew what came next. And I really didn’t want to be lectured. “If love was easy, there wouldn’t be so many divorces.”
“Mom, I just met the guy. I wasn’t thinking about marriage.”
“I know that. It was an analogy. You need to graduate and find a job before you consider settling down with someone.”
“Actually…finding a job might take longer than I initially thought.”
“Why?” I could hear the fear in her voice. “Are you failing a class?”
“No. But I think I might wanna go to law school.”
A deafening silence filled her end.
“Okay, you can pick your jaw up off the floor now. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I can do it.”
“Of course, you can do it,” she said, sounding surer than even I was. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. You never mentioned you were interested in law.”
“I know. But I think I’ve got what it takes.”
“There’s not a doubt in my mind you’ll make an amazing lawyer.” I could hear the pride in her voice. “You’re determined and strong and you care about other people. Hold on, I want you to tell your dad the big news.”
“Tell your dad what?” my dad said, getting on the phone.
“Hey, Dad.”
“What’s your big news?”
“I’m thinking of declaring a major in pre-law. Then going to law school.”
“No way?”
I laughed. “Yup. Your daughter’s gonna be a lawyer.”
“Thank God. I was wondering how you were gonna take care of us when we got old.”
“Easy buddy. I could still put you in a home.”
His laughter rumbled through the phone. “So, no engagement to that hockey player then?” I knew his little girl’s happiness was his top priority, so I almost felt bad admitting my relationship with Crosby had failed.
“No. We’re not seeing each other anymore.”
His laughter quickly disappeared and his protective side took over. “He hurt you?”
I pulled in a frustrated breath. “No. He let some people hurt him and did nothing to fight back. You always taught me not to be a punching bag. And for some reason Crosby is.”
“That’s his choice,” my dad reminded me.
“Yeah, and it’s my choice not to stick around to see it happen.”
“Did you ask him why he’s doing it?”
“I thought I knew. But now I have no idea.”
“You think his family issues have something to do with it?”
“I have no idea. I never wanted to pry.” I guess I didn’t know Crosby as well as I thought I did. I only knew what he wanted me to know. And a relationship couldn’t work like that. He made sure of it.
“Well, go easy on him,” my dad said. “He’s had it tough.”
“Yeah.” Crosby had had it tough. There was no denying that.
“Ever wonder why people want to hurt him?” my dad asked.
My dad’s words stilled me.
He was right.
I’d been so focused on why Crosby didn’t fight back. Maybe a better question would have been why wouldn’t Jeremy leave him alone?