So within seconds I was in front of Patrice’s apartment door, knocking on it like I had a right to, with all of one mimosa in my system. I had no idea what I thought I was doing, but I felt so hurt.

I needed to hear from him why he’d strung me along like that.

When he finally opened the door, I saw a blend of surprise and weariness on his face. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but not exactly unexpected either. Besides I didn’t come expecting a warm welcome, I’d come to give Dr. Denis a piece of my mind. Before he said anything he brought up his arm so he could look at the watch on his wrist. When he saw the time he raised an eyebrow in question. Like that was supposed to embarrass me.

“How can I help you, Easton?”

That aloofness cut deep, and for a moment I hesitated. I’d wanted to believe there was something between us, but when I saw him shut down like this, I faltered. His cool eyes made me wonder made me feel so pathetic. I breathed through the heat I knew would probably creep up on my face if I didn’t calm down.

“Just wanted to say I hoped you had a nice date.” I was practically spitting out the words, but the look of confusion on his face mollified me a bit. Once I was done, I didn’t even give him a chance to respond and before I humiliated myself more, I started turning away.

But like it always had the power to do, Patrice’s deep voice brought me to a dead stop. “That wasn’t a date, Easton. That was Ari. He and Yin stayed over last night.” He sighed wearily and I stood there, with my back to him waiting to hear more. “Ari got stopped by the police yesterday afternoon driving back from Yin’s place.”

I spun around to look at him. Worry for Ari stamping out my pity party. “Is he okay? Did they do anything to him?” My mouth felt wooden when I talked, dreading all the possible terrible answers to that question.

Patrice’s face was thunderous, but he shook his head before he spoke. “They were rude and stopped him for going eight miles over the speed limit, but they let him go.” The “fucking ridiculous” in his tone did not go unnoticed, and I couldn’t disagree.

“He was a little freaked out and I invited him and Yin over to hang out and watch a movie. His home situation is not the best right now and I wanted him to have a place to calm down and talk about it before going back there.”