Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Care to share?”
With a sigh, I turn toward her, calculus book in hand. “Rain check? It’s a lot to tell.”
“Fine.” She jabs my book with her index finger. “Lunch. You. Me. Gossip. Lots of it.”
I crack a genuine smile. “Care to share?” I mimic. “What were those mysterious Saturday night plans you wouldn’t elaborate on?”
Jaz shuts her locker and links her arm through mine. “I went out with Gray,” she confesses.
My eyes widen. “No.”
“Yes.” Her lips quirk in a reluctant smile. “He’s a goddamn choir boy, Casey.”
“Not really, considering he’s cheating on his girlfriend.”
“I mean literally. He was a literal choir boy until he was thirteen.” She sighs loudly. “Why didn’t you warn me he was a nice guy? I don’t like the nice ones. They’re too…nice.”
I start to laugh. “One, nice isn’t awful. And two, I repeat my last point—how nice can he be if he’s cheating?”
“Do you blame him considering who he’s dating?” Jaz counters with a snort.
“Kind of, yeah. Doesn’t take much effort to dump someone before moving on to somebody new.”
Just ask Fenn. Not about the “somebody new” part, but how easily he’s able to break up with someone.
I really do love you.
That’s why I have to walk away.
The memory of Fenn’s late-night visit and subsequent confession has been eating at me all morning. I hadn’t slept a wink. Can barely focus on anything else.
Stop, I wanted to shout after him.
Stop.
Don’t go.
I love you too.
He thinks he drove me into Lawson’s arms, and he’s not wrong. He had. But one night with another guy doesn’t erase my feelings for Fenn. It doesn’t erase months of long conversations and the intimate exchange of words, secrets, fears. He knows me better than anyone in this world, even my own family.
I understand now why he lied about prom night. He was trying to protect his friend. I’m not condoning it, but it makes sense. He’s known Gabe since they were little kids. Gabe has been there for Fenn his entire life. Was there for him after Fenn’s mom died. Of course he was torn about betraying that bond.
“In Gray’s defense,” Jaz says, jolting me back to the present, “he wanted to break up with Bree. I told him not to.”
“Why the hell not?” I demand.
“Because it’s been a week, and this fool is ready to declare his undying love for me.” She snorts. “I’m not ready to husband up. Although he does have a great dick.”
I choke out a laugh.
When we enter the classroom, the room quiets, a typical occurrence these days. As we pass their desks, Bree chatters on obliviously, telling Ainsley about some new makeup brand she’s trying out. Ainsley shoots me a tiny frown but says nothing.
Ever since I poached Lawson from her, she’s gone almost completely dormant. Every now and then a snarky word or two will spurt out, but for the most part, she keeps her mouth shut. If there’s one good thing that came out of all the craziness these past couple of months, it’s that I conquered my bullies. I guess that’s something.
Lucas is sitting on the front step when Sloane pulls into our driveway after school. He’d texted to let me know he was coming by, but I didn’t expect him to already be waiting. At our approach, he stands up, and although he offers his dimpled smile, I don’t miss the flicker of concern in his expression.
“Hey,” I say, greeting him with a quick hug.
“Hey.”
“Come in.”
Sloane unlocks the door and walks inside ahead of us, while the dogs dash around our legs. “Will you let them out to pee?” she asks me over her shoulder.
“Yeah, sure.”
Lucas and I go outside through the back door. “I came to check on you,” he says when we have a seat on the back patio.
“What for?”
“Well, uh, you know,” he says hesitantly. “The big fight…”
“I don’t understand. What big fight?”
“Fenn and Lawson went at it last night.”
Fuck. Of course they did. My brain suddenly catches up, and I feel ridiculous for not anticipating the fallout.
“One of the guys broke the rules and filmed it, just because it was so brutal. I saw the video before Duke made him delete it.” Lucas grimaces, apparently recalling whatever did that to Fenn’s face. “It was uncomfortable to watch, not gonna lie.”
I gulp. “So everyone knows.”
“Yes and no. I mean, everyone put two and two together that it was about a chick, but I don’t think anyone knows that chick is you.”
That’s a relief, at least. I can’t imagine how mortifying it would be if all of Sandover knew I hooked up with Lawson. And if it ever got back to my dad… I shudder just thinking about it.
“Can I ask…” Lucas trails off, hesitant.
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Fair enough.” He leans away, hands up in surrender. “New topic then: Snow Ball.”