Me: It’s pretty good. I was just about to dig into some reading for my lit class. How’s it going there?

Immediately, an ellipsis pops up like he’s replying. I can almost see him sitting with his feet up on his desk or windowsill, or maybe he’s out with new friends. Perhaps he misses having somebody to torment.

Colt: Pretty good. It’s going to take a little bit of getting used to, new people and all that. But the coursework seems like it should be a breeze.

I roll my eyes.

Me: At MIT? Those are some pretty big words.

Colt: Yeah, but how do you think I got in? I know what I’m doing.

Whatever he says. I’m sure his father’s money had a little something to do with the two of them getting in, as well, but I don’t want to think about James, much less mention him.

Colt: Any hot girls there?

He would ask that question. I can’t help but bristle at the way he managed to change the subject so quickly.

Me: I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to girls, in case you forgot.

Colt: Come on. Even a straight girl knows when another girl is hot.

Me: I’ve sort of been a little too busy getting settled in. And having nightmares, but he doesn’t need to know about those. Nor does he deserve to.

Colt: I didn’t think there’d be so many here. I figured they’d all be nerds. But there are a couple of smoke shows in my classes. I fucked one of them the first night we got here.

Something about that sets my teeth on edge. I really wish it didn’t. I also really wish I understood why. What do I care who he fucks? If anything, I feel bad for the girl. Somebody should warn her about him and his brother. Somebody should definitely warn her against letting him take her home for a visit over the holidays, for sure. Then again, what am I saying? He’s not the relationship type, is he? I’m sure he wouldn’t even recognize the girl if he walked past her this very minute.

Whoever she is. Why do I even care?

I don’t know what to say, and I know he’s waiting for an answer. What, do I congratulate him? Extend my sympathies toward the poor girl, whoever she is? All he’s going to do is keep taking me farther down this road, and I have no desire to go in that direction with him. Not ever again.

So instead of playing along, I do the only other thing I can if I want to save face and get rid of the burning lump of betrayal his message lodged in my throat. I turn the phone off and toss it onto my desk before returning to my reading.