I tap my pencil on my desk. “So I have to stop it.”
She shakes her head. “They will kick you out of the group if you mess with a dare.”
I snort, and the girl who sits in front of me turns to glare at me. I give her a big smile, and she rolls her eyes before turning back to face the front of the classroom. “I don’t wanna be in their boy group. They would be doing me a favor.”
She smiles. “So do you have a plan?”
I nod. “Yes, I do.”
“Need my help?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Absolutely.”
_________________________________
The next three weeks flew by faster than I wanted them to. Cole and Deke were busy with practice, so I got to spend a lot of time with Becky. I even convinced Cole to let Blanche have her afternoons free, and I continued to pick Lilly up from school. Becky and I would take her to get ice cream or go to my house and swim. She loved having “girl time” as she called it. I don’t think she gets much of it other than the time she spends with Celeste. And she has been up my father’s ass. He’s avoided me, and I’ve stayed out of his way, praying he leaves town soon.
But I couldn’t help notice the way Cole’s mood got worse as he neared the end of his deadline. He was agitated. His attitude dark. His hands were always fisted, and he didn’t speak much. But that hasn’t slowed down his affection toward me. He’s been over the top ever since I told him we were gonna put on a show. And that’s exactly what we have done.
It’s officially Friday. And tomorrow is the big day. He hasn’t said much to me today, but I haven’t taken it personal.
“You guys don’t have a meet this weekend?” Becky asks Deke.
He shakes his head and pops a chip in his mouth. He too is on edge. I caught him and Cole arguing earlier this morning, but they both shut up the moment they saw me walking toward them. I never did catch what they were saying, and I know Cole wouldn’t tell me even if I asked.
I open my mouth to speak but close it when Kellan walks up to the table. “Afternoon, guys,” he says with a sinister smile.
I glare up at him.
Cole ignores him as he looks down at his phone.
“Party at my house tomorrow night,” he says, looking straight at Cole. “And of course, you’re invited, Austin. Wouldn’t want you to miss it.”
Cole looks up at him through his lashes, showing indifference. But I can feel the heat rolling off him.
“Oh, she’ll be there,” Becky answers for me, and I refrain from laughing.
“See you then,” he says cheerfully and then places his hands in his pockets and walks away, whistling like he did when he told me to walk away from Cole.
I smile at Becky, and she smiles back.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
COLE
I walk out of the cafeteria and stop at my locker. I yank the door open, grab what I need, and then slam it shut.
“You can’t go,” Deke growls, coming up to me.
“I’m getting really fucking tired of arguing with you about this,” I snap.
“Then do the right thing.”
“Why do you fucking care?” I shout, making a kid jump who was walking by. “Huh, Deke? Why do you fucking care what I do?”
He lowers his eyes to the floor and runs his hand through his hair. “Becky was right.”
“Fuck! Not this again …”
“I’ve seen a difference in you too, Cole.” His eyes meet mine. “Haven’t you felt the difference?” I snort, rolling my eyes. “Ever since Eli died …”
“Don’t,” I snap, stopping whatever he was about to say.
“No, you’re gonna hear this.” He steps to me, and I fist my hands, ready to punch his ass. “Austin was just someone you wanted to destroy. You wanted someone as fucked up as you, Cole. So bad that you couldn’t stand it. Even I could see that.”
“Deke,” I warn.
“But no matter what you throw at her, she dishes it back. You like the fight better than if she was to lie down and cry. Beg you to stop.” I hate how right he is. “If you fuck Kaitlin tomorrow night, are you prepared for what she’s gonna do to retaliate?”
“What does that mean?” I demand, not liking where he’s going. This thought had never crossed my mind.
He lowers his voice. “It means she’s gonna run right to Bryan and fuck him. That’s what she does. She fucks you back twice as hard. And he’s gonna jump all over that. Finally getting his chance with her and be able to fuck you over at the same time.”
I see red and punch him at the thought of Austin and Bryan together. He stumbles back into another kid, knocking him to his ass. Deke stays standing and chuckles like I softly slapped him. “When was the last time you hit someone, Cole?” I lower my hands. “When was the last time you needed to release that anger since she came into your life that night?”