Rival Dreams (Rival Love #3) by Natalie Decker Read Free Book Online Page B

I mean?”
    “Sure. When I lived in California, that guy I dated? The one that was trouble? Well, before we got into trouble together I kept getting this funny feeling like what he was telling me was different than what he really meant.”
    I nod. That’s kind of how I feel with Caleb. Lately we seem fine, but then he avoids me for days at a time. “Everything with us has been amazing. We had one little fight a few days ago. Before that, though, everything was absolutely fine. We were on the same page. Made these future plans. Then out of nowhere he starts ignoring my calls, missing appointments.” I shake my head. “I chalked it up to nerves. But when he didn’t come to my place the other night … Yeah, something is definitely going on. When I ask him about it, though, he tells me everything is fine. I can tell he’s lying about it.”
    “So …”
    “That’s why I’m putting all this effort into this meal.” I can’t lose Caleb. My life without Caleb is meaningless. I know. I tried it. It wasn’t fun then and it wouldn’t be fun now. And I don’t want to hear that plenty of fish in the sea shit. There isn’t, if you’ve already found the person who makes your soul feel like it’s on fire. There’s only one of those in the whole sea and I have mine.
    After I finish my mini meltdown, we cook the pasta, and combine the ravioli with the sauce, separate them into two glass baking dishes, top them off with cheese, and put them in the oven. As the dishes bake, I busy myself cleaning up the kitchen.
    I hand Kayla a bowl to rinse off and ask, “When you’re with Lance, do you see the whole wedding and future mapped out?”
    Kayla laughs. “In high school, I thought that about anyone I had a crush on. I would think, ‘Oh man, but he’s my everything!’ And I thought the universe was against me when the guy didn’t even know my name. But with Lance it was different. I mean, yeah, I thought he was this whole sexy god-like type and there was no chance in hell he’d ever want me. But we started dating and it was fantastic. Like everything was right and nothing could go wrong. At first I could see this being so final and I loved it. Then we had that major fight over my internship, and I don’t know. Everything kind of changed.”
    “Changed how?”
    Kayla sighs. “I don’t know. I don’t see the whole ‘two-story house, kids, and neighbors that are overly jealous of our happy family’ future anymore. I’m just living in the moment. If stuff with us works out, fine. If not … I’ll be okay. Eventually. Not right away, but I’ll get there.”
    The oven’s timer goes off right as she rinses the last pan. I pull out the baking dishes, shut off the oven, gather up my things, and hug Kayla goodbye.
    On my way back to the dorm, all I can think about is how everything has to be perfect. I need to lay it all out there, too. How I’m feeling. Tell him there is no pressure to move in with me; if this step is too fast, then fine, I can move in with Kayla or something.
    I pull into my dorm’s parking lot and carefully remove the glass from the back floor. I hurry to the steps and frown. The entrance to my dorm slipped my mind for a second. In order to get in I’m going to have to set my dish down and swipe my ID. Then I have to open the door, prop my foot in between the door and the jamb so it doesn’t shut, pick up the pan, and go on through. I just manage it and head up to my room.
    My roommate isn’t home, of course, so I repeat the same steps with the door. When I get my door open, my jaw almost hits the floor.
    Our room looks like a cyclone just tore through. Clothes, shoes, coats, possibly some underwear, are strung over every surface. Makeup is spilled out all over her desk. Mine is covered in sticky notes. There are skirts, bras, and jeans strewn all over my bed. The two chairs and small eating table are covered in papers, books, and envelopes. Ugh! I didn’t plan for this.
    My roommate was going