The Longest Ride

this, she decided. Depending on Luke’s tone, she’d know almost immediately whether she was overreacting.

She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, but just as she was about to dial, she happened to look across the quad, noticing the familiar ebb and flow of life on campus. People carrying backpacks, a student riding his bike to who knew where, a college tour that had stopped near the administration building, and in the distance, beneath a tree, a couple facing each other.

There was nothing unusual about any of it, but for whatever reason, something in the scene caught her attention and she lowered the phone. She found herself zeroing in on the couple. They were laughing, heads close together, the girl’s hand caressing the boy’s arm. Even from a distance, their chemistry crackled. She could almost feel it, but then again, she knew them both. What she was seeing was definitely more than a close friendship, a realization confirmed as soon as they kissed.

Sophia couldn’t look away, every muscle tensing at once.

As far as she knew, he hadn’t been to the house, nor had she heard their names mentioned together. Which was almost impossible on a campus devoid of secrets. Which meant that both of them had been trying to keep it secret until now – not only from her, but from everyone.

But Marcia and Brian?

Her roommate wouldn’t do that to her, would she? Especially knowing what Brian had done to her?

Yet in hindsight it struck her that Marcia had mentioned him several times in recent weeks… and hadn’t she admitted that she still talked to him? What had Marcia said about Brian? Even while he was still stalking her? He’s funny and good-looking and rich. What’s not to like? Not to mention that he’d had a “thing” for her, as Marcia liked to point out, before Sophia came along.

Sophia knew it shouldn’t matter. She wanted nothing to do with Brian, and it had been over for a long time. Marcia could have him if she wanted. But when Marcia lifted her gaze in Sophia’s direction, Sophia inexplicably felt tears spring to her eyes.
     

     
    “I was going to tell you,” Marcia said, uncharacteristically shamefaced.

They were back in their room and Sophia stood near the window with her arms crossed. It was everything she could do to keep her voice steady.

“How long have you been seeing him?”

“Not long,” Marcia said. “He visited me at home over Christmas break and —”

“Why him? You remember how much he hurt me, right?” Sophia’s voice started to crack. “You’re supposed to be my best friend.”

“I didn’t plan for it to happen…,” Marcia pleaded.

“But it did.”

“You were gone every weekend and I’d see him at parties. We’d end up talking. Usually about you…”

“So you’re saying this is my fault?”

“No,” Marcia said. “It’s no one’s fault. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But the more we talked and really got to know each other…”

Sophia tuned out the rest of Marcia’s explanation, the knots in her stomach tight enough to make her wince. When the room fell silent, she tried to keep her voice steady.

“You should have told me.”

“I did. I mentioned that we were talking. And I hinted that we were friends. That’s all there was until a few weeks ago. I swear.”

Sophia turned, facing her best friend and hating her at the same moment. “This is just… wrong on so many levels.”

“I thought you were over him…,” Marcia mumbled.

Sophia’s expression was livid. “I am over him! I don’t want anything to do with him. This is about us! You and me! You’re sleeping with my ex-boyfriend!” She ran a hand through her hair. “Marcia, friends don’t do this to each other. How can you even begin to justify this?”

“I’m still your friend,” Marcia offered, her tone soft. “It’s not like I’m going to be bringing him up to the room when you’re here…”

Sophia could barely register what she was hearing. “He’s going to cheat on you, you know. Just like he cheated on me.”

Marcia shook her head vehemently. “He’s changed. I know you won’t believe that, but he has.”

At this, Sophia knew she had to leave. She strode toward the door, grabbing her purse from the desk on the way out. At the door, she turned around.

“Brian hasn’t changed,” she said with utter certainty. “I can promise you that.”
     

     
    Habit and desperation led her back to the ranch. As always, Luke stepped onto the