Page 99 of Love Me

“It’s the same as seeing you with Kaden.”

“You’re stupid, Celine. You’re so damn stupid.”

She grips my elbow, shaking me. “Kaden hasn’t so much as looked at another girl, let alone taken it further. He looks dead, and it’s because of you. He was unbreakable until now. I hope you’re fucking happy.”

My heart rips through my chest. “What?”

“Really? You think if we had something going on I would have let you and Kaden disrespect me by sleeping together? Wake up, Celine. We all have a role to play in this fucked up family.”

“But?”

“But what? Oh, he promised you things? Fuck off. He cut his heart out for you so you would never go through the things we did.”

Terror flashes in her eyes.

I get in her face. “It should have been my choice.”

“Just let him be, already. Go be with your friends. And if you ever get comfortable with Dane again, I will show you how much of a bitch I can be. Don’t mess with me.”

“Then why aren’t you with him?”

“Do you think I don’t want to be? It wrecks me. But loving is fucking prohibited unless it’s between me and Kaden.”

“You’re getting married.”

“And until then, we do our best to escape this prison.”

She storms away. There are so many things running wild through my head.

Is it true? It can’t be. No way. But what if it is? Then what?

I ruminate on Abi’s confession. My heart somehow knew that they couldn’t actually be together, but I was too afraid to hope. All afternoon, I try to study but in vain. My attention always swirls back to what she told me.

By the time night replaced day, I had climbed into my car. I reach the cliff, more on instinct, with all the thoughts running through my head, making me lose myself in the dark fog of my brain.

A few more cars are lined around, with people forming groups around them. Music blares from car speakers. Dane looks at Abi so intensely it resembles a mating contest.

I hope he wins. I hope she loses.

Something tells me she wants to be with him tonight.

The first competitors step into their cars. A skinny girl wearing a skirt short enough to see her thong drops the flag to start the race. Then she struts toward Kaden, who leans against the hood of his car, legs crossed at his ankles, and she smiles at him.

I roll my eyes. Girl, he won’t touch you. She whispers something in his ear, turning coy, her eyes sparkling while he doesn’t back away.

I am here, you idiot. I can see you, and I know the truth.

You’re mine, and I don’t know what to do with this knowledge.

I need you to love me through this.

My eyes are glued to the next set of cars lined up. When the flag descends, tires screech, leaving burn marks on the road. Seconds tick by with nervous energy. Abi is an aggressive driver. It’s a close race, but Dane takes control and wins. I know it’s more for show when he blows her a kiss.

She’s so hyped up when she reaches me. “I so lost on purpose. If Kaden wins, I’ll strangle him in his sleep.”

We giggle, and her eyes go from me to Kaden, who is surrounded by girls vying for his attention. “How are you?”

“Is this what you meant by no other girls?”

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