You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(55)

I consider the options. I can’t abandon Mom on her birthday. Because of her work schedule, I signed us up for the evening class, but it doesn’t start for another hour. Maybe I could stay at the party until then? Hopefully she won’t be too upset if I’m a little late. But how often do you get the chance to fix the past?

I send Mom a quick text.

I’ll meet you at the ceramics place!



Have something I need to do first



I hesitate on the sidewalk, unsure of this. Then I turn around and head to the party.

Nolan and his friends always host their parties in the basement of someone’s dorm building. They can get out of hand sometimes. But Sundays are usually more chill, so I’m not surprised to see it half filled at the moment. It’s strange walking in here after all these months. A few of his friends are setting up a game of beer pong. They’re playing some Kendrick song I don’t recognize. Then someone comes up behind me, covering my eyes with their hands. But I recognize the scent of Acqua di Giò.

I turn around to face him. Nolan is wearing his usual white muscle shirt that always looks great on him. His blond waves are particularly lustrous tonight.

“Hey there, cutie,” he says. “Thought you couldn’t come tonight.”

I’m not sure how to respond. “Just thought I’d stop by for a minute.”

He smiles and kisses me on the cheek. “So what you’re saying is, you can’t stop thinking about me. Want something to drink? We have your favorite strawberry seltzer.”

I hate how sweet he treated me. I shake the thought out of my head and say, “I’m not thirsty.”

“Come on. Just one drink.”

Nolan puts a hand on my shoulder, walking me over to the bar. His friends appear to greet us. It’s weird being surrounded by them again. I’m not really listening to what they say. I keep scanning the room to see if Connor is here yet.

“Who are you looking for?” Nolan asks.

“Nobody,” I say, somewhat tensely. “Just seeing who else is here.”

“Want some pretzels? Zach stole some from the dining hall.”

“Not really.”

“You probably haven’t eaten yet. I’ll grab some for you anyway.”

I let out a breath and he walks off. Then I glance around the room again. More people come down the stairs, but I don’t see Connor anywhere. The minutes are ticking away. Maybe that traitor of a roommate plans to arrive when he knows I’ll be at the ceramics class. I’ll have to leave soon for that. As I’m keeping an eye out, an idea comes to me. I send Julie a message, asking here to come here.

What for?



Just do it for me



Nolan returns with some pretzels before his attention is pulled to the door as more people arrive. I set the plastic plate on the speaker and wait for Julie, but I really can’t stay much longer. I check the time again—the class started a few minutes ago. I need to get going already.

Someone taps on my shoulder.

“Julie. There you are!”

“Why isn’t your location working—”

“I don’t know. My phone’s being weird. But that’s not important right now.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be with your mom?”

“Yes,” I say, pulling her to the side. “Which is why I asked you to come here. I really need you to do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

“I need you to keep an eye on Nolan.”

She gives me a look. “Why?”

“It’s hard to explain, but I have reasons not to trust him tonight.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I let out a breath. “Please just do it. I really have to go.”

“Alright. I’ll stay but—”

“Thank you.”

I give her a hug before heading out the door. I can always count on Julie, even when I’m keeping things from her. I really should have left sooner. Especially since I don’t have a car. I’m sprinting through campus, sending Mom more texts. There’s no time to wait for the next bus to come—I have to run the entire way there.



* * *





It takes much longer to get to the pottery place than I expected. The class is just ending when I walk in. People are putting on jackets and packing up their things, but I don’t see my mom. Did she leave already? I look out the window. Her car isn’t parked outside. I can’t believe I actually missed it. I ruined her special birthday. I linger outside, in case she still around. Eventually, someone turns the lights off and locks the door. So I head to the bus stop.

It’s late when I get back to her apartment. I’m hoping Mom is sitting at the table, expecting an apology. But she’s not waiting for me, and the door to her room is closed. I didn’t even get a chance to wish her a happy birthday. She’d been looking forward to this for weeks. She must be so disappointed in me. I consider knocking on her door, but I don’t want to wake her. Especially if she’s upset with me right now. The memory we once made is gone now. I should have never gone to that dumb party.





Chapter

Twenty-one



I’m hoping yesterday was a dream. I open my eyes to the sunlight. I’m not back in my dorm room. I’m still on Mom’s sofa, where I slept last night. How much longer will I be here?