On the Outside Looking In (Wrong Reasons) by JL Paul Read Free Book Online Page A

call soon, okay?  I need to get inside.”
    “Have a good night, dear.  We’ll speak again, soon.”
    Ending the call, I grabbed my purse and left the car.  Once I got inside and shed my coat, I sank into the comfy chair by the window, closing my eyes.

Chapter Five
     
    As Halloween approached, falling on a Friday this year, the mood around campus soared.  Most people were anticipating great parties and a fun weekend.  In every one of my classes, I had to endure girls discussing the sexy costumes they’d be wearing or guys describing the alcohol that would be at various frat parties.
    I had no plans.  I had to work Saturday morning so I had no intention of going to any of the few parties in which I’d been invited.  I was sure that I wouldn’t be missed as the invitations had come more from politeness than eagerness for me to attend.
    Thursday night, I took a shift at Beans for one of the girls who needed the evening off to help decorate her sorority house for their bash.  I didn’t mind as I was caught up on coursework and wanted the extra spending money for the upcoming holidays.
    As my shift was ending, I walked around the sitting area, wiping down tables, glancing out the tall windows at the darkness enveloping the city.
    I hadn’t heard much from Irelyn and Bailey since the night at Bailey’s house.  Irelyn called me twice with updates and I’d spotted Bailey across campus several times, but we were both headed in different directions and hadn’t had time to chat.
    Loneliness crept into my heart, especially as the days grew shorter and the temperature dropped.  I spent more and more time in my apartment, watching reruns of old sitcoms and studying on my laptop.  Even Evan hadn’t come in or called.
    With a sigh, I swiped the rag across the last table before turning toward the counter to clean the prep area.  It was nearly closing time and I just wanted to go home and soak in the tub with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine.
    The bell above the door jingled, raising my ire.  It was time to go home, not serve more coffee.
    “Not closed yet, huh?”
    I fought a smile as I turned.  “Almost.”
    “Can a guy still get a cup?” Evan asked, grinning.
    “Just good old plain coffee,” I said as I walked around the counter.  “Everything else is shut down.”
    “No problem.  I’m a good old plain coffee kind of guy.”
    “Sure you are,” I said as I poured him the last of the coffee.  “That’s the bottom of the pot so I’m not sure how great it will be.”
    “Coffee’s coffee when it’s this chilly,” he said, dumping a packet of sugar in the cup.  “I’m not too picky.”
    Nodding, I set the empty pot into the sink of sudsy water.  “What are you doing here so late?”
    “I wanted a cup of coffee and this is the best in town.”
    “No, it’s not,” I snorted.
    “Whatever you say,” he said with a shrug.  “So, what are you doing this weekend?”
    “Nothing,” I said, too quickly.  Avoiding his eyes, I began scrubbing the pot, taking my time.
    “Aren’t you going to Rusty’s Halloween party tomorrow night?” he asked.  “I’m sure your friends will be there.”
    “Oh, I don’t think so,” I said, confident.  “I’ve spoken to Irelyn a few times and she didn’t mention it.”
    “ Hm,” he said.
    Lifting my eyes, I frowned.  “What?”
    “Nothing,” he said, leaning against the counter.  “It’s just that, I’m bartending tomorrow and Out Back is supposed to play.”
    “But,” I said, rinsing the pot and setting it on a towel to dry.  “I spoke to Irelyn last week and she said that the guys were signing a contract with that indie label.”
    “Yeah, that’s what I heard, too,” Evan said.  “But they’d already signed a contract to play this weekend and a few others so they have to honor it.”
    My heart sank.  How could my friends forget to tell me that? Or, did they not forget but just didn’t want to tell me?  Maybe they