Date Me (35 page)

“Sure,” I say.

He walks up to the stage and sits on it.

“We called you on stage at 9:45 last night to do a scene and you weren’t here.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I left a little early because I didn’t think you’d get to any more of my scenes.”

“You have a lot of raw talent. Acting seems to be effortless for you. But you need to understand that acting is a business. It’s long hours, hard work, and commitment.”

I’m tempted to tell him that I know exactly what is required of an actor. I’ve seen it. Lived it.

I’m also tempted to tell him that I quit. It pisses me off that he has the nerve to suggest I’m not committed.

I’m the only one who has all her freaking lines memorized!

And it sucks not seeing Dawson every night from seven until ten. That’s really our only free time all day. And I’m not sure a stupid school play is worth it.

“I’m thinking about quitting,” I blurt out.

“That would be upsetting. You have star potential and I’d hate to see you waste it because of a boy.”

“It’s not just because of a boy,” I lie.

“Tell you what,” he says. “Take this weekend to think about it. I’ll expect an answer from you on Tuesday.”

Second-guess myself.

5:30pm

I'm sitting on Dawson's bed trying not to second-guess myself.

But my drama teacher pissed me off and that stupid dream left me rattled.

So, now I’m worried about, well, everything.

How will Dawson take the truth?

Will he understand? Will he be mad?

Will he freak out about Vincent? Will it make him treat me differently?

Will Tommy and Mom get pissed at me for showing up?

And the fact that Dawson still isn’t packed is making me even more stressed.

Our car will be here in ten minutes.

He’s standing in his mess of a closet, not really doing anything, just staring at it.

I’m about to start pulling clothes out of it and packing for him when his phone buzzes.

I glance at it.

Whitney: Baby, please.

I instantly can't breathe.

I want to look at the rest of their texts. I want to know what else she said. I could be sneaky and read them. He wouldn't notice. But I decide on a direct approach instead.

“Dawson.”

“Yeah?”

“You just got a text from Whitney.”

He walks out of the closet looking pale. “Uh, I, um . . . we’re just talking.”

“Just talking does not say,
Baby please
. I get it. We did it. Our image makeover was successful and now she wants you back, right?”

He stands stick still. "Yeah, I guess.”

Tears start to prickle my eyes. "When were you going to tell me?"

He still doesn't move. "She just started texting me. I wasn't sure what to tell you.” He finally moves, grabs his phone off the desk, and hands it to me. "Just read it."

Whitney: When we danced for old time's sake at Homecoming, you can't deny that we both felt something. You and I together is how it was always supposed to be. That's why you stopped dancing with me so suddenly, because you felt it, right?

Dawson: I stopped dancing with you because I didn't want to hurt Keatyn.

Whitney: I'm sorry I broke up with you.

Dawson: Thanks for saying it, but it's too late.

Whitney: It's never too late. I'm really sorry, baby. If I could take it all back, I would. Don't go out of town with her this weekend. Stay here with me. We can hang out and see what happens. I promise I'll make it all up to you.

Whitney: Baby, please.

I want to tell Dawson that she is a lying bitch who slept with his brother. But I don't want that to be the reason he chooses me.

I want him to choose me because he loves me.

“Is that really true? Is that why you stopped dancing with her?”

“She said,
Peyton never would’ve won if we were still together
. And I said,
Yeah, you're right, but then you dumped me for some college asshole
. That’s when I got pissed and walked away.”

“And now she's begging?”

“Yeah.”

“And that was what you wanted all along.”

“Yeah.”

“Is that all we were? You took my idea of making her want you? Was it all about making her jealous?”

“No, it wasn’t. Keatie, I do love you. I meant everything I’ve ever said to you.”

I hold up my hand. “Don’t, okay. Don't lie.”

“I’ve never lied to you about anything.”

“This week when I was at rehearsal. Were you talking to her then, too?”

“No. This completely caught me off guard. And I want to meet your parents but . . .”

“But why bother?”

“No. Just give me a minute. I just need a minute to think.”

“You don't need a minute to think, Dawson. You’ve already decided. You're not packed. That says it all.”

“I just . . . try to understand.” He puts his hand to his forehead and rubs it across his temple. “It's what I wanted for so long."

I nod, holding back the tears, and calmly walk past him to the bathroom.

When I open the door, Jake is standing naked in front of the sink. He shoves a towel in front of himself and yells, “Keatyn, what the hell?”

“You and Whitney are still going out, right?”

He looks at me like I'm an idiot. "Yeah, I’m getting ready to go pick her up.”

“You should maybe look at this first.” I hand him Dawson’s phone.

He reads the texts and his eyes get big. “That bitch.”

"Yes, she is," I say as I walk back into Dawson’s room.

“So, congratulations, you’re finally getting what you dreamed of." I take the key from around my neck, drop it into his hand, and say, “I understand perfectly.”

Then I walk out his door and hope the drama of giving him back the key to his heart will make him think. Will make him realize her doesn’t want her.

I stand outside his door for a minute, expecting him to come running out to say, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I don't want her. I love you.

But he doesn't.

I wait for a few more minutes.

I picture him tossing the key on his dresser and happily calling Whitney to tell her yes.

And it starts to sink in.

We're over.

I start to tear up as I walk down the hall in a daze because I can’t believe it.

Can’t believe he would do that.

Aiden walks by me. “Boots, are you okay?”

I look at his green eyes and shake my head. Because I’m not okay. But I say, “I’m fine,” and walk quickly past him.

Then I start running. I don’t even think about where to go. I run straight to Dallas and Riley’s room and pound on their door.

The minute Riley opens it, I lose it. I dive my head into his chest and start bawling.

“Aw, shit,” he says, “Am I gonna have to kick my brother’s ass?”

I nod my head and keep crying. Then I start babbling about Whitney, and her text, and how he never loved me. How no one ever really loves me.

He wraps me in a tight hug and pats my back to comfort me.

Dallas walks in saying, “I just ran into Jake. Keatyn and Dawson just broke . . .” He sees me and stops talking.

"Up," I say, finishing his sentence. "We were supposed to leave for the airport in a few minutes."

My phone buzzes with a text.

I hold it tight to my chest and pray it's Dawson.

That he's sorry. That he's stupid. That he realizes he made a mistake. That he doesn't want her.

That he loves me.

Only me.

For the first time in my life, I'm a little disappointed to see a text from Damian.

D: I don't care what plans you have for this weekend. Change them. One of the Moran Films' jets is sitting at an airport near you waiting for your arrival. (Don't tell Dad. I worked it all out with Margie, his assistant.) The crew is "waiting to pick up guests who won a contest." I didn't want anyone you knew from the past on the plane, so there is just a pilot and co-pilot. Bring the guy who treats you too well, bring some friends. Whatever you want. Just get your ass here. We'll tell your friends we know each other from grade school. Which is true.

Me: You have NO idea how perfect your timing is. Just broke up with the guy who was treating me too well. His ex texted him and said baby please and now he wants her back. I was supposed to take him on a trip this weekend. To meet my parents.

D: I can't believe your parents were okay with that.

Me: I was going to surprise them all. I figured if no one but me knew I was coming, V couldn't know. He said he loved me, Damian. I believed him. I was going to tell him everything. I'm an idiot.

D: Guess my ass-kicking list just got longer.

Me: Are you talking about my ass? Because I'm stupid to believe boys when they say they love me?

D: We'll see :) Bring something hot for the club. Don't worry about a place to stay.

Me: I love you. Seriously.

D: Are you gonna cry on me?

Me: Shut up. Me and my tears will see you soon.

I look up at Riley as he says, "Good news?"

"Do you two have any plans this weekend?”

“Not really," Dallas says. “Unless you consider trying to avoid Ariela and Katie plans.”

I smile. All three of us are single. “Sounds like the perfect time for us to get the hell out of here and have some fun." I hold up my phone. "That was my friend."

Riley shakes his head. "I was hoping it was my brother, coming to his senses."

I shake my head as tears flood my eyes again. "No, my friend is going to be performing at a club in Miami. He invited us to come."

"We just gonna go to the airport and catch a flight?" Dallas asks.

"I have that taken care of."

Dallas grins at me. "Sound like me and Riles here need to pack quick."

"I need to repack. I was taking Dawson . . ." I stop myself and try not to start crying again. "I packed for colder weather. Now all I need is a couple bikinis, a hot outfit for the club, and maybe something to wear to dinner." I smile at them. I'm so glad they are coming with me. "Meet me at my dorm in five. A car is coming to pick us up."

I run back to my dorm with my head down. I don't want anyone to see me. I'm sure I'm a mess.

I make it back into my room without having to talk to anyone, kick my suitcase, grab a different bag, and toss some clothes into it.

Jake texts me.

Jake: I’m so fucking pissed.

Me: I told you this would happen.

Jake: Funny thing is, I thought I was using her.

Me: Yeah :(

Jake: I cheated on her. I felt bad about it.

Me: I know you did. Please don't tell her even though you are mad. It would be bad for the girl.

Jake: Are you okay? Dawson’s an idiot if you ask me. He’s gonna realize what a big mistake he made.

Me: Doubtful.

Jake: Wanna hook up? Piss them both off?

Me: I'm pretty sure your moral code points just north of sleazy.

Jake: <3 That may be the best compliment anyone ever gave me, Monroe. I'm touched.

Me: I'm going out of town but when I get back, let’s party.

Jake: You sure you're okay?

Me: Not really, but I'll live.

My phone rings. I want to ignore it, but I see it's school security. I answer, ask them to send up the car, and meet Dallas and Riley out front.

Looking good is the best revenge.

6:15pm.

We pile into the town car and head to the airport.

On the way there, Dawson calls three times. I don't bother answering, so he texts me.

Dawson: I keep trying to call you. You need to let me explain.

Me: You weren’t packed. You don’t need to explain. Have fun with Whitney. And don't text me again.

When we get to the executive airport, the town car pulls out onto the tarmac, and we hop out, grab our bags, and board the plane.

“Miss Monroe? I'm Captain Cummings. Were you informed of our situation for the flight down?"

I shake his hand. "Situation?"

"We're running without a staff for this flight. I was told you could handle seating and serving yourself?"

I smile. "I think we can handle that."

"Excellent," he says. "My co-pilot and I will do our pre-flight check and then we'll announce when you should take your seats. Please help yourself to the galley. It’s fully stocked."

He shuts the cockpit door as Riley whistles and runs his hand across the leather couch. "This is nice."

Dallas is already at the bar. "Miss Monroe," he says to me. "You look like you could use a drink."

"I think we all need a drink," Riley says.

Dallas pours us three shots of top shelf tequila. I start to down mine but Dallas says, "Not so fast there, Kiki." He holds his glass up and sings. "Here’s to the three best friends anyone could have.”

“Shouldn’t we be the two best friends?”