Let Me Be the One Read Online Free Page B

“You’re an ass.”
    More sternly I asked, “Jenna, d id she leave with anyone else?”
    “No.”
    Sweet relief. “Is she mad at me?”
    “Don’t flatter yourself.”
    That stung.
    I left and headed towards the parties in the Village.   I was still in my rugby gear—dirty, and a little drunk.  I had to scope out a few parties before I finally ran into her other roommates, Rene, Caitlyn, and Beth.  Rene told me she hadn’t seen Darcy in a while but thought she had probably bailed.  I saw Nick as soon as I came in so I figured she’d left because of him.  Then Beth said, “She’s got to get a thicker skin.  She’s too concerned with hurting guys’ feelings.”
    “Did anything happen?” I was immediately thinking of Nick.  “Was Nick harassing her?”
    “Not Nick, some other jackass just being overly aggressive.” 
    “What happened?”
    Beth shrugged like it was no big deal. “Some guy just getting too touchy-feely.”
    The thought of a guy hitting on her, touching her when she didn’t want to be t ouched, made me fucking crazy.  I wasn’t somebody who got angry easily; I didn’t explode and I didn’t fight unless it was unavoidable.  Darcy brought out a different side of me.  I wanted to protect her at all costs—I needed to protect her.  I should have been here. 
     
     
    D arcy
    Sunday morning.
    I was actually glad for this weekend to be almost over.  As I ran along the river I just kept replaying yesterday in my mind.  Maybe Tom wasn’t the guy I thought he was.  It was pretty evident from what I saw yesterday that he wasn’t really that into me and wasn’t interested in being with one girl.  Alright, it is what it is.  I’m here to get through this year and prepare to head off to med school.  I’m not wasting my time drooling over someone like Tom, I told myself.  Instead of ending my run at my usual point, I kept going and going.  I could have run a marathon.   It just made me feel better.
    Later, Jenna and I walked to town. I was on a mission for lasagna and I’m actually a pretty excellent cook, if I do say so myself.  Plus, cooking always gave me a peac eful, contented feeling.   How could all not be right in the world when your house was filled with the aroma of cake baking or chicken roasting?
    After Jenna laid into me for leaving without telling her and Dan where I was going last night, she told me that she gave it to Tom.   Jenna said Tom looked devastated when she told him I left with someone else.  I burst out laughing.  I loved her.  Jenna always had my back.  I did doubt he was truly heartbroken, though.  Tom Farrell, from what I’d witnessed, was supremely confident around women and had plenty of willing ones to choose from.  And I think that’s what was really bothering me.  The night we spent together in the city Tom seemed so genuine, someone that I could really see myself with.  But yesterday, the way he was at the party and even that first day back at the field?  Those flirty, breathy things he whispered in my ear that had made me ache?  Now I couldn’t help but feel that there really was another side to Tom—the phony Casanova who just wanted in any girl’s bed.  I wasn’t going to be that girl for him.  Not happening.
    I spent the better part of the afternoon sautéing o nions and garlic, making a homemade Bolognese sauce, and layering two large trays of lasagna.  It smelled awesome in our place and Jenna, my sous chef, was enjoying some Chianti with me.  This was just what I needed.  As we were taking the garlic bread out of the oven and everyone was coming to the table to feast, the door opened and Dan, Ben, and Tom walked in.  “Damn, it smells like heaven in here.  I’m not above begging for a home-cooked meal, Darcy.  Please tell me you can feed me,” pleaded Ben.
    Dan shrugged, cocky.  “I’m eating.  You’re all cutting out the carbs, right girls, so I’m just looking out for you by taking some of this off