Page 74 of In Too Deep

Because she didn’t want to let me in on their secret affair?

How could I have been so stupid?

“Lacy, Lacy, wait!” Coby calls but I keep running.

Suddenly, arms wrap around me, pulling me up.

I spin around to face him, slapping at his chest as he grabs my flailing hands.

“Jesus, Lacy, stop! Stop and listen.” His harsh tone halts my breakdown but doesn’t change my mind. I don't know if I’m strong enough to continue after everything that’s happened to me lately. I struggle in his grip, but he pulls me in, encasing me completely. “Lacy, baby, please just stop! It’s not what you think.”

“It’sexactlywhat I think. You and Katie are back on, and you’re doing it behind my back.”

He exhales slowly, closes his eyes, and then reopens them. “No, we’re not. It was not what you think it was. Katie and me mean nothing to each other… other than friendship.”

“It didn’t look like nothing, Coby. You were hugging, then you kissed her.”

Katie steps up, and I glare at her as the tears flow down my cheeks. “You! I thought you were my friend, but all this time, you were stabbing me in the back.”

Katie sighs and shakes her head. “Lacy, you’ve been through a lot, and that knock to the head has apparently damaged your thought processes. Coby would never go for me—”

“Then why the hell were you hugging like that?” I yell as I struggle against Coby’s grip but fail as he holds onto me even tighter.

“I was thanking Katie for being your friend, and realising just how awesome you are. She told me you were amazing and that she had no choice but to be on team Lacy. She was sorry for everything she’d done. All she wanted to tell me was that she was happy for us and that she was glad I was moving on with you.She’s happy for us,and she wishesusthe best of luck. And that I have to take care of you, or she’ll kick my arse,” he yammers.

My breathing hitches, and I stop fighting.

I gasp and turn to Coby.

He gives me a small smile. “That’s the truth, Lace. We talked about how fabulous you are and that we’re happy for each other. That’s all. It was a… thanks for being there kind of thing, and that was it. There was nothing romantic about it at all, baby. I promise.”

I gulp and glance at Katie.

She purses her lips and nods. “I’m sorry you caught us hugging, Lacy. I know that would have been weird to witness, and in hindsight, I guess we didn’t need to do that. But we’d just shared a nice chat, and we were both on such a high and so happy about you, it was just two old friends being, well… friendly. I promise, Lacy, that’s all it was. You have nothing to worry about. I’m not after Coby. He’s far too sappy for me anyway,” Katie quips.

Finally, it clicks, and I break a smile.

Coby lets my arms go.

I take a deep breath. “Well… shit! I’m sorry.”

They shake their heads and smile. “No, don’t be. I can see how it would have looked. And if I caught you hugging and kissing your ex on the cheek, I probably would have flipped, too. But I swear, there’s nothing to worry about. I only have eyes for you.” Coby grabs my hands and rubs his thumbs over my skin, setting a fire running through my body that only he can ignite. “You’ve been through a lot. I understand your reaction. But you have to trust… trust that Iwilldo everything in my power to never hurt you like that.”

I clench my eyes tight and sigh. “I am sorry. I should have trusted you.” I open them again and smile.

“It’s already forgotten. Just promise we can still be friends?” Katie asks.

I reach out and pull her in for a hug. “Of course. I think I’m expecting everything to go pear-shaped at any minute becausethat’s my life. My life is one big disappointment after another, and now it’s awesome, and I’m waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me again. It’s no excuse for how I acted, though. I’m sorry.”

“Lacy?” I hear my name being called out, and the voice is familiar, but it’s way off in the distance, so it doesn’t register straight away as I pull back from Katie.

When I turn around, my heart leaps into my throat.

I’m not sure if it’s in a good or a bad way.

“Mum? Dad?” I holler as they, along with Stacy, run toward me. “W-What are you doing here?”

They pull up just in front of us.

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