Page 98 of Love Me

“They’ve set a date.”

“When?” he asks through a set jaw.

“Spring.”

His entire posture stiffens, and I elbow him. “Wanna crash it?”

“They’re not getting fucking married. I am so fed up with her bullshit.”

Kaden and Abigail appear as if we summoned them, looking like they stepped out of a magazine. We shift our gazes between them to us, and I sigh. “Ugh, it’s like they eat fucking perfection.”

“Yet they are so easily riled by us.”

Side by side, we approach them. Abi’s face twists, her gaze casting down for a moment, and Kaden stares straight ahead.

“Let’s make a bet,” Dane suggests, eyes boring into Abi’s.

“Why would I?” she asks haughtily.

“Afraid of losing?”

“Never,” she says, playing into his hands. That’s the problem with high emotions. They shut off your rationality.

“If I win against you, I will spend a night with you,” Dane says as he continues to look at Abi.

“Keep dreaming.” She gets in his face, taunting him with her mouth, wanting him with her eyes.

“If Kaden wins, I’ll leave. If he loses, you already know what happens.”

It’s clear there’s history between them.

“Fine, deal.”

“Abi,” Kaden says intently. They engage in a silent eye conversation before he shakes his head at her but nods.

It’s the first time I see a sparkle in Dane’s brown eyes.

We walk away, and I say to Dane, “Don’t put your life in danger.”

“Sometimes the pain is worth it. For a few seconds, it feels good.”

Yes, I know that too well.

The day passes in a blur as I move from one class to another, overwhelmed by how much I have to catch up on. I need to get myself together and focus on my studies. I can’t have my grades dropping because I am an emotional mess.

When I get to Mia and Hunter’s place, Abigail’s eating a granola bar in the kitchen.

“You know I should hate you,” she says.

“Why don’t you?”

“You came with more drama than we bargained for, and you fucking almost kissed him.”

Did she just cuss at me? The perfect lady-like Abi?

“I think it’s good to let it all out.”

“You don’t understand. I can’t be with Dane, and it kills me seeing you with him.”

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