“Are you going to scare the shit out of me, or are you a good driver?” he asked as we climbed into my car.

“I’m an excellent driver,” I assured him. Because I was. Especially after the wreck. I’d become an even more cautious driver.

He sank down into my leather passenger seat and leaned back. “All right. I’m going to trust you.”

Smiling, I turned on the car and pulled out of the parking space. This was nice. Having someone to talk to again who wasn’t a family member hovering and worrying over me.

“What happens when he wakes up?” Slate asked me.

That was an odd question. And I wasn’t sure. Did I come home? Would he want me to? I frowned and focused on the road, but I didn’t respond.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MY PARENTS’ CAR was packed full of all my dorm decorations and needs. My Honda Civic was full of clothing and shoes. Parking for my building wasn’t too far of a walk from the main entrance to the dorm. Dad had pulled up to unload and Knox was helping him. Knox had packed his truck with the few things he would need when he moved into his frat house this year. Only juniors and seniors got to live in the frat houses.

I thought about Slate then. Wondered if he’d be living in the frat house, too. If I’d see him any. After coffee that day, he’d gotten my phone number and said we’d text and have coffee. But he still hadn’t texted or called.

“Your room’s on the third floor. Turn left when you get off the elevator—it’s the last room on the right. Door’s open and your roommate is already in there.” Knox paused and grinned. “I might have to stop by and visit my little sister often.”

Great—my brother liked my roommate. That should be fun.

Dad laughed and took another box out of the car and headed for the entrance. Mom came up beside me as I stood there and looked up at the tall seven-story building that would be my home this year. It was intimidating, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for this.

“I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but you’re about to have some of the best days of your life.”

I knew my mother meant it. She even believed it. But how was that possible without Crawford? I couldn’t respond to that. I knew she wanted me to agree or even say I hoped so.

“He should be here” was what I said instead. “Unloading his own stuff and then coming to my room to help me unpack before going out together to explore.” That was how this should have been.

“But he’s not,” she said. “Life tosses you things you’re not expecting. This won’t be the only big hurdle in your life. What you have to learn is that you’re strong enough to live anyway. Despite missing him, you can find happiness again.”

I reached down and picked up the suitcase I’d brought from my car. “I’m going to do my best,” I told her.

“I know you will.”

Being only an hour away from home helped. Knowing I could run home when I needed my room and a place to hide gave me a sense of peace about all this. Until Crawford opened his eyes and this became the life we had planned. Not the one I was trying to build alone.

The inside of the building was exactly as I imagined it. Sofas with coffee tables and candles lit in the middle of them made small gatherings all over the main lobby. There was an unlit fireplace as the centerpiece against the far wall. We headed for the elevators that already had a line forming and I felt more comfortable seeing other girls who were also new with their parents. Suitcases and boxes were everywhere. Girls who were returning were easy to spot, because as they were reunited with friends they hugged.

It took three elevator loads before it was our turn to get on.

“Like this every year. I said I wouldn’t come until Sunday this time, but I cracked and came today like everyone else. So ready to get away from my hometown. You know?” a redhead with attractive freckles on her nose and short curly hair said as she smiled at me.

I didn’t know about wanting to leave home. Leaving had been hard, but I didn’t say that. I just returned her smile and nodded. “I wasn’t prepared for how busy it is. Guess I should have thought about it.”

The girl nodded and sighed. “As the day progresses it gets more insane. Be glad you’re early.” She stuck her travel mug under her left arm, then held out her right hand. “Mae,” she said. “I’m a sophomore this year. I’m guessing you’re a freshman.”

I shook her hand. “Yeah. I’m Vale. Nice to meet you.”

Her large expressive eyes seemed to twinkle. “Oh, I love that name. I have a thing for unique names. I even have a journal full of them. I’m adding Vale to it.” She laughed. “I swear I’m not a stalker weirdo. I was just born with a name like Mae Rose, and that’s so boring it’s sad. I refuse to saddle my kids with the same. I’ve been saving names I like since I was seven.”

As odd as that sounded, I liked this girl. She was very real. And chatty. I wouldn’t have to talk much with her. She’d do all the talking.

“Makes complete sense,” I told her, then remembered my mother was standing beside me. “This is my mom,” I told her.

Again she stuck her coffee under her arm since she was holding hang-up clothes and shook my mother’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Vale is going to love it here.”

“I believe so, too,” Mom agreed.

The elevator opened at the third floor and Knox and Dad were there waiting.

“Took y’all long enough,” Knox said.

“Oh, stop grumbling. You’ve been flirting. You’re just fine,” Dad said, rolling his eyes.

“Is that your brother?” Mae asked, her eyes going wide.

“Yeah, and some days I’m glad.”

She smiled and made a nervous giggle. Knox winked at her. Jesus. What kind of year was I in for?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I WAS ROOMING with Barbie. I’m not exaggerating here. Not even a little. Everly Adali Lane was five feet nine inches tall with blond hair that fell down her back, and blue eyes that were as dark as the ocean, unlike my light blue. Her lips looked super full, almost as if she’d had a little augmentation to them, and she had a tiny waist.

She was also a princess. I grew up with brothers. I didn’t always put on makeup and I liked my Converse just fine. From the way this girl was dressed to move in to our dorm today, you would think she was headed out on a hot date. This was going to be interesting.

“Oh, it’s just white,” she said as my mother finished making up my twin-size bed with the comforter I had picked out for it. The comforter set was in fact white and had a simple ruffle on the ends. I liked it.

“What, my comforter?” I asked, looking toward the bed she was staring at.

“Yes…” she said slowly, as if she still couldn’t comprehend the fact that it was white. Why was this so shocking?

“Do you have some colorful pillows, at least?” she asked.

“Uh, no.” I was still watching her. Almost afraid she was going to have a head explosion or something.

She reached into a large basket by her bed and pulled out a furry cotton-candy-pink pillow and tossed it onto my bed. “There. Use that.”

My mother glanced at me with her eyebrows darted up like she, too, had no idea what to think about this girl.

“Okay, thanks,” I said, not sure if I was thankful or not. The furry pillow was kind of silly-looking.