The door opened, and because this room could fit a house inside it, I couldn’t see him step through. I waited, frowning when it sounded like more than one set of footsteps traveling the short hall.
“Barbette?”
The gentle voice calling out definitely did not belong to Jamie. A few seconds later, Four and Lou stepped around the corner.
“Shit, sorry!” Four shouted when she saw me standing there wearing nothing but a sheet.
Her gaze darted to the wall behind me, and my eyebrow rose at her embarrassment. It was as if she hadn’t seen more of me and shared what was most definitely not just a friendly peck on the cheek. Remembering our kiss and how much I enjoyed it, suddenly it was me who had trouble meeting her gaze. I hadn’t intended to kiss Four, and while it had never crossed my mind before, in the heat of the moment, I reacted on instinct, and I couldn’t say that I regretted it. In fact, I wouldn’t have minded doing it again. I’ve always known that I liked Four, but it wasn’t until what happened in that chemistry lab that I realized how much. The adrenaline junkie wasn’t just someone I wanted as a friend. She was someone I wished I could be again—strong, selfless, and, most importantly, certain of who I am.
A nervous laugh bubbled out of me.
If I hadn’t already found my soulmate, I’d wonder if I was in love with her or something.
“Jamie sent us,” Lou explained, dark ponytail swinging as she shamelessly checked out every inch of the suite. The taupe walls, gold décor, and plush furniture sprinkled around the suite all screamed luxury. There was even a crystal chandelier dangling from the high ceiling. “Fancy digs you have here.”
“What are you guys doing here? Where’s Jamie?”
“He sent us to give you this,” Four answered while holding out a large paper shopping bag. Taking it from her, I cautiously peeked inside the bag, half expecting a poisonous snake to jump out at me. Instead, I found a pair of distressed denim shorts and a white T-shirt with bold black lettering that read “I’m with him” and an arrow pointing left.
I didn’t even want to know.
Seeing that there was more, I pulled out a handful of lace thongs, a bra, socks, and a shoebox. I whimpered with joy at the plain white sneakers inside.
I’d been complaining about only having a robe to wear all week, but Jamie hadn’t once been moved to do something about it. Why now, and where was he?
“So we’ll just wait out here for you to get dressed,” Lou announced.
I looked up from the clothes now spread out on the rumpled bed. Huh?
“We thought we could hang out today,” Four explained at my questioning look.
I couldn’t help pursing my lips at the pair. Something was up, and they’d been ordered to keep me in the dark. “In other words, Jamie’s up to no good and sent you to keep me distracted.”
“Yes,” Lou admitted without hesitation. One could almost appreciate her inability to beat around the bush. “But you should know we only agreed because Jamie might be on to something, so we want to get to know you better.”
Gee, thanks?
Plopping down on the edge of the bed, Lou leaned back on her hands and crossed her legs with a smile. “So, what do you say?”
“About graduation,” Four whispered while Lou was preoccupied with a phone call. It had been Lou’s idea to come to this skating rink, and despite not knowing how to skate, I was enjoying myself. “If that was weird for you, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Ever and I don’t do stuff like that. It was a first for us too,” she admitted with a blush.
I didn’t think it was something I’d ever do either but seeing them together and knowing that I hadn’t ruined everything made it all worth it. Jamie and Ever had both staked their claim openly and thoroughly. Hopefully, there’d be no more room for jealousy or doubt.
“I think it was weird for all of us,” I mumbled as I gripped Four’s hands tightly. She wasn’t having much luck at skating either, so we were holding each other up as we slowly made our way around, sticking to the edge where the rails were. “I guess it’s only a big deal if we make it one. We didn’t do anything damaging. It’s not like I couldn’t have seen you naked in the locker room at school, right?”
“Right…” She twisted her lips, trying to hide a smile. “Except you probably wouldn’t have kissed me if we’d been in the locker room.”
“Yeah, probably not.” I suddenly found interest in the scuffed purple skates I wore.
“I’m not mad,” she rushed to say. “It was nice. Besides, you aren’t the first girl I’ve kissed.”
My eyes widened while she wore a goofy grin. “I’m not?” When she shook her head, I couldn’t help prying for more information. “Who was it, and does Ever know?” It was hard keeping in my laughter, but I didn’t want to make any sudden movements and risk falling.
“Tyra laid one on me once after Jamie dared her to, and yes, Ever was there.” My eyebrows rose at that while hers furrowed. Of course, Jamie would be behind them kissing. “That reminds me,” Four announced. “Jamie promised us a dare, but he didn’t hold up his end of the deal.”
“Which was?”
“He was supposed to write a letter from the heart and pick an audience to read it to before graduation.” Panicking, I tried to stop only to stumble instead. Luckily, Four saved me from falling by tightening her grip. “Are you okay?” she inquired. Her brown eyes that were more cinnamon while Jamie’s were chocolate widened as she waited for my answer.
No, I wasn’t okay.
It now made sense why Jamie had been after my journal. Almost every line, lyric, and rhyme had been written for him, and he had planned to read it in front of the entire senior class. Making a deal with Jamie was as dangerous as making one with the devil. There was always a loophole. No one could deny his feelings for me, and knowing him better than the back of my hand, I could just hear him gloating now:
“It was a letter from my heart. She obviously wrote it for me.”
“I’m sure that would have been fun, but a word of advice? Don’t bet against Jamie. You’ll lose every time.”
Four wore an evil grin. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything because graduation is over, which means we get to see him make out with Vaughn. I suppose Ever’s off the hook, though, since they’re related.” As soon as the words left her lips, her smile faded, and she wore a troubled frown.
“Everything okay?”
“Huh?” She seemed to snap out of whatever was plaguing her thoughts. “Oh, yeah. Fine.”
I couldn’t claim to know Four all that well, but apparently, I knew enough to know when she was lying. She began chewing on her lip, and I wondered how many times she’d worried like this while I pretended to date her boyfriend. Shame bubbled up in my throat, forcing me to take a deep breath before I vomited all over my new friend.
“I don’t think I ever actually thanked you,” I whispered. She met my gaze but remained silent. “I also think you were right. I’m not sure I could have done what you did, so… thank you.”
Four simply nodded, but then that worried look was back in her eyes. “Ever says you’re leaving town. Is that true?”