“Oh, come on. I won’t tell anyone you have a soul. Your secret’s safe with me.”
Victor gives me a nod and just a hint of a smile, before leaving me to finish my breakfast. I take two more bites and dab the napkin over my lips, standing to collect my bag before I head out to my waiting car.
The moment I situate myself inside, my phone dings, and I look down to see a text from Bert.
Bert: Meet me on the steps. I’ve got something for you.
Me: A big reveal? I finally get to find out who’s who, huh? I thought you’d at least hold out until Christmas.
Bert: I’m not alone.
This whole time I’ve been confident that “Bert” is Grey. It has to be. Bert is direct, sneaky, and a villain. They’re twins.
Me: Figures.
Bert: Thought you liked the mystery?
Me: I do… but it’s been a month. I want to know.
Bert: Ask me for a clue.
I chew my bottom lip as I type, knowing it’s who I think it is.
Me: What’s my favorite color?
Bert: Grey.
Grey. Not gray.
The car slows to a stop in front of the school. As soon as it does, my door’s opened, and Grey’s face comes into view.
“Hey, Bert.”
“Have you forgotten my name?”
I scooch out and stand, grabbing my bag before I turn and shrug. “Well? Where’s my present?”
He wrinkles his forehead and mugs at Liam, who crosses his arms over his chest.
“Bert as in Bert and Ernie…that’s what I assigned you in my phone until I could figure out who is who.”
“And you think you have it figured out?” Grey smiles.
“You gave it away.”
Liam laughs, and I look between them, wondering what I’m missing. Oh, damn them.
“Guess we did.” Liam winks as he hands me an envelope. “We should be more careful with our spelling.”
Dammit.
I give a tiny growl and snatch the envelope the rest of the way. “Is this my present?”
Grey throws his arm over my shoulder as the three of us start to walk toward the school doors. “Look at you, all spoiled. We said we had something for you. Not that you had a present.”
I poke his ribs, making his body contract away.
“Tease.”
Ripping open the paper, I pull out the card inside, reading it to myself for a moment before I stare at them wide-eyed.
“Seriously?”
I’m speechless two times in one day because Caroline’s birthday invitation is burning a hole in my hand. It’s fitting she was born on Halloween, seeing as she’s such a witch.
Grey and I take the stairs, but Liam stops at the bottom, drawing my attention over my shoulder in question. He’s looking up at me with irritation as he complains, “Hold up. Why am I the dumb puppet? Ernie was a jackass.”
Grey pulls me in tight to a hug, grinning like the damn devil as I laugh at Liam, and gets back to business. “Do you know the kind of sacrifices Ernie had to make to secure one of those invitations?”
“Stop making jokes to play this down. She’s hateful and mean. And I’m pretty sure if she’s inviting me, it’s to throw pig’s blood on me. Have you forgotten the lake?”
Caroline’s been quiet as a mouse since our last encounter, but I still don’t trust her at all.
“We’ve exiled her long enough. It’s time to put this shit to rest, Cherry. I can’t listen to her apologies any longer. Do it for me. If not, do it for poor Liam and his dick.”
A long exhale leaves my body as I lay my head back on Grey’s arm dramatically. “She hasn’t apologized to me. She despises me, regardless of her excellent acting skills.” I pop back up just as quick and turn to stare Liam down, who’s caught back up to us. “Wait a minute. His dick? Exactly what sacrifices did you make?”
Liam extends his arm, holding out his hand for me to take, pulling me in next to him as I do. “Don’t worry, it was my pleasure.”
“Gross. You better be lying.”
He smirks, letting my hand go, but keeps our pinky fingers connected as we walk. “Don’t be jealous. Grey’s only kidding—you’re the only girl for me, Van. Pinky promise. But be good so things can get better between you and Caroline. Think of the position Grey is in. You know he’d hate her forever if you ask. Don’t ask.”
Liam’s right. It can’t be easy for Grey to maneuver between best friend and step-bitch. I’ll never require he does that, but this is going to suck.
“Fine, but if she’s a dick to me, I get to be one back.”
They both laugh, looking over me and at each other.
“Thank you,” Grey answers as Liam adds, “This invitation is an olive branch. It’s baby steps.”
If I thought this was actually a peace offering, I’d be happy to take it. However, tossing us in the same room together means we’ll either fight it out to the death or wear each other out. But I’m there, worn-out and over her. It’s been too long dealing with her eye rolls and snarky-ass remarks, and I give. It’s fucking childish, and I’m over it.
I pull from both of them and stop my stride, pointing to the girls’ bathroom. “I have to go puke now.”
My joke fails. It’s met with matching contemptuous glares, so I smile and lift my arms in surrender. “Joking. I have to pee. I’ll meet you in class. I’m super pumped about my new bestie.”
Pivoting, I walk toward the restroom and smack both hands on the heavy door to push it open, then take the few steps through the entry that leads around to the sinks. A long snorting noise sounds off the tiled room, bouncing through the airy space, just as my eyes meet Caroline’s through the mirror.
She wipes her red-rimmed nose and stares at me with no expression as she dips her nail into the small container she’s holding. Bringing her powder fingernail to her nose, she snorts it up violently, squeezing her eyes shut and tipping her chin up.
I don’t bother to acknowledge her as I walk toward the stall and close the door to do what I came here to do. I flush, standing to shimmy up my panties, fully aware that she hasn’t left, but wishing I’m wrong before I open the door. The moment I do, she turns and stares straight at me again, this time her face steeled and ready for war.
“What?”
My voice is louder than I mean for it to be, but I’m irritated with this game.
“Are you going to run off and tell on me now? Be a snitchy little bitch?”
I square off to the sink, two down from her, and pump the soap into my hand. Waving my hand under the faucet, I pause for the water.
“Because you’re doing coke in the bathroom? No, Caroline. I’m not going to tell. I honestly couldn’t give a shit.”
My voice sounds devoid of any interest at best. I’m not affected by her cokefest—I’ve been there, fucking done that. Ten times over. Caroline’s face breaks into confusion as I glance at her through the mirror, rubbing my hands together to rinse the soap.
I’m not surprised she’s confused. Catching me doing something damning would be her best day ever. It’s a classic mean-girl move, like the towel bullshit, but I’m past this. I may have thrown down with her at the beginning of school, but I genuinely don’t have any interest now. The truth is, we’re the same. We’re both guilty of wanting to be the center of their attention. I just have it. And if the roles were reversed, and my boys were hers, I’d annihilate Caroline.