Best Dating Rules, Tamie Dearen [literature books to read txt] 📗

had been on shaky ground from the beginning. She didn’t have time to worry about Becca now—she had to concentrate on proving herself to Spencer.

Emily pulled out her laptop and located a website describing the Devil’s Tombstone hike. The more she read, the more discouraged she felt. It sounded incredibly complicated and difficult. As weak as she felt, she’d be better off starting an hour or two ahead of the group, instead of an hour behind. She’d probably make slow progress on the hike. If she started an hour late, it might be dark before she got to the campground. Starting ahead of them would be much safer. That way, if she were having trouble, the group would eventually catch up with her. A bus would take her to Tannersville, followed by Smiley’s taxi to the trailhead. She needed to leave at the crack of dawn.

She was a great planner, and she’d really thought this through. She started ticking off all the things she needed to pack—food, water, toothbrush, etc.

“Hey!” She jumped at Charlie’s voice behind her. When had she come back down from their parents’ apartment? “Wanna make popcorn and watch a movie?”

“Sure, but I don’t think I’ll be able to stay up too late. I was thinking you might sleep upstairs tonight…”*****

Spencer didn’t sleep well, despite taking two Benadryl. He couldn’t stop thinking about Emily. For the first time he was learning how much rejection hurt. He had no desire for friendship with her. Friendship was fine when he thought there was a chance for something more. But since he knew the truth, it hurt too much. He needed a clean break. In fact, he might try to end his internship with Gherring Inc. early. Steven Gherring would probably understand and help him find an alternate internship through his business connections. That might be the best alternative.

Spencer forced his mind back to the task at hand—packing all his gear for the hike. He looked forward to the physical exertion. It would be a great way to clear Emily from his mind. Forever.

At the bus station, he hauled his gear to join the hiking group. But he noticed something extremely unpleasant—Becca.

“Hi, Spencer.” She tugged his arm as she spoke. “I’m so excited you’re coming. Isn’t it going to be great? The weather is perfect. I wasn’t sure you were coming. You didn’t answer my calls.”

“Becca. After the little stunt you pulled Thursday night, I really don’t want to talk to you any more.” He pivoted and jerked his arm away.

“What stunt? I didn’t do anything. What do you mean?”

He spun to face her, holding his arms out of her reach. “You tricked me into going to the Green Scene by telling me Candace was going to be there. You knew she was in Mexico.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Becca, I talked to her. I know you knew. And that’s not all I found out from Candace. But I won’t even go into that discussion. You told me the hiking group was planning to go the Green Scene, and guess what? I found out that was a lie as well.” He glared at her. “I really don’t like it when people lie to me.”

“Well, what about your precious Emily? I guess you found out she lied to you.”

He ignored her bait. “And I really didn’t appreciate the picture you sent me.”

“I thought you needed to see the truth.” She pushed her lower lip into a pout and crossed her arms. “Emily’s a slut!”

Spencer raised his hand to slap her, stopping himself just in time. Acutely aware of his shaking hands, he clenched them into fists before stomping over to collar Landon in the crowd of interested onlookers.

“Hey Landon, I’m not going. Sorry to back out on you.”

“I totally get it, bro. If I were you, I’d make like a banana and split.” Landon shot wary eyes toward Becca. “See ya later.”

Spencer hailed a taxi and headed to Emily’s apartment.*****

Charlie listened while her mom chatted with excitement, but she was anxious for her sister to wake up and join them.

“So, Steven got all of us tickets to see Let It Be tonight. It’s all about The Beatles and has Beatles music. It should be so much fun. I’m hoping it’ll cheer up Emily.”

“It’s almost ten-thirty. Don’t you think we should wake her up? I’m only here for a few days.” Charlie spoke around bites of chocolate covered donut.

“I don’t know. She probably needs the sleep. We’ll wake her up by noon for sure.”

“But you’re not much fun, tethered to an IV pole.”

A hurt expression came across Anne’s face, so Charlie sprang from her seat to give her a chocolate-smudged kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean it. You’re always fun, but I wanted to do something with Emily.” She chuckled as she licked her fingers. “But we want you to come, too, because you have more money.”

“Do you want to go out for lunch?”

“Do you really think you could stomach a restaurant?”

“Probably not. I think I’ll just send you and Emily. Y’all can take pictures, and I’ll live vicariously through you.”

“Poor Mom. I know how much you love to eat. This must be torture for you.”

“It is.”

They both jumped at a trilling sound from the doorbell.

“It’s Emily! Yay!” Charlie ran to the door to fling it open. “Sister! Oh... Spencer. Come in. I thought you might be... uhmm...”

He stepped through the doorway and stood, shuffling his feet. “Hi, Charlie. Mrs. Gherring.”

“Hi Spencer. Your mom’s already come and gone today. She’s coming back for a while this afternoon.” Anne’s smile was full of sympathy.

“No, I didn’t come to see Mom. I came to see Emily. She didn’t answer her door, so I thought she might be up here with you. Is she here?”

“She’s still sleeping, I guess. Although you’d think she would have heard you knocking.” It was all the excuse she needed. Charlie was out the door, headed to rouse her sister from bed. Spencer followed behind with a worried expression.

“I