Page 55 of Love Me

My phone vibrates with a message from my best friend. I hate that we don’t live together but as an heir, I can’t live anywhere else. Mia tells me she’s on her way, so I go downstairs to wait for her.

In the kitchen, I grab a water bottle from the fridge. Uncapping it, I sit down at the island.

Blake enters the kitchen, taking me in, gauging my expression. His silence disturbs me the most. He used to be the loudest among us. Now, whenever I look at him, I feel like he is trapped in the pits of Hell. I am mad on his behalf. Who hurt him so I can hurt them back so much worse?

“Easy there, killer. We’re not friends anymore,” he reminds me. Stating facts. No emotion.

“Fuck friendship. This is about revenge.”

“Well, you’re directing that at the person who doesn’t deserve it.”

“This has nothing to do with him.”

“Next time, pick me for a fight. Kaden would never give his best, and I itch to test you.”

I shoot up from my chair. It scrapes against the floor and falls back with a thud.

“Time and date.”

“Your rage blinds you. Be smart.”

He puts his finger on my temple. “Or you might end up dead in the best-case scenario.”

His eyes pin me, and I blink, shocked at how he delivered that message as if he knows what he’s talking about. Before I can ask him more, Mia walks into the kitchen. Her eyes widen when they land on him. For a nanosecond, his eyes lighten. She tilts her head to the side, and he scratches his neck. What’s happening here? If that’s her strategy, then she’s brilliant, but it could backfire.

“Let’s go to my room,” I say.

They wave at each other. It would be sweet if her mission was to fall in love instead of gathering information.

“What was that?” I ask in a hushed tone.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

On my bed, she plops on her back and sighs. “I don’t have anyone here.”

“You have us.”

“Yes, but both you and Hunter are only thinking about the mission. No one asked me if I wanted this, any of this… and yet…”

“Just don’t fall in love with him.”

“We’re just friendly. Blake’s lonely. I’m lonely…”

We spend the rest of the day together, catching up while doing mani and pedis. By the end, we’re both more at ease.

Next to her Mini Cooper, she hugs me. “I know this is the hardest for you, and I will always be there for you, but if you find something good, enjoy it. Treasure it.”

I open my mouth, and she shakes her head, whispering, “Yes, right. Mission comes first.”

I watch her step into the car, and we wave at each other. Feet shuffling down the stairs have me looking up and all four walk by me.

I grab Kaden’s wrist. “Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

They all get into their respective cars. If they think I am going to sit on my ass, they’re mistaken. I am dressed in shorts and a tank top, but not wanting to miss this, I hurry out, yanking the door open to Kaden’s car.

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