The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

Flick’s brow pinched. “You do? Did he—”

“I overheard Kellie Ginly telling her friends.”

“Kellie… but how would she know?”

I shrugged, trading out some books. “Apparently Asher called her last night.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense. He doesn’t—”

The reverberation of my locker slamming shut cut her off. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

“But—”

“Felicity, you promised.”

“I know, I know, it’s just, she’s awake. This is a good thing.” She looked so hopeful. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that some things couldn’t be fixed. That just because Mrs. Bennet was awake didn’t mean me and Asher were going to find our way back together.

“You’re right, it is great news. I’m happy for them.” Shoving the books into my backpack, I shouldered it and took off down the hall.

“That’s it?” Flick hurried after me. “That’s all you have to say?”

“What else is there to say?”

“I don’t know. I guess I just thought…”

“Life isn’t a fairytale, Felicity. Not all stories get a happy ending.”

“But…”

I let out an exasperated breath and levelled her with a hard look. “You’re my best friend and I couldn’t have gotten through these last few weeks without you, but you need to let this go. I’ve accepted it’s over between me and Asher. You should too.”

I’d just walked through the door after a long shift at the store, when my cell phone blared to life.

“Hey, Shona,” I said, kicking off my shoes and letting the cool tiles soothe my burning soles.

“Hey, girl. How’s it goin’?”

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“It’s… going. How are you? How are things back home?” After Jermaine had forced her to give up my location, Shona had felt responsible for everything that had gone down. But I didn’t blame her. I’d asked her to keep it a secret; I’d burdened her with that.

Me.

“Diaz is actin’ like it’s all business as usual, but since Jermaine’s arrest, things feel… different.”

“Keep safe, yeah?” I said.

“I will. Jesse and Leroy watch me like a hawk.”

“Leroy, huh? You got your way then?” I smirked.

“He gave in eventually.” She chuckled. “Jesse gave him a black eye for it though.”

“I’m glad you have him to look out for you.”

“Any developments with JT?”

“It’s done.” The words punched my chest. “But I found out his mom finally woke up.”