Page 56 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“You know Macklin,” she begins. We all nod. “We kind of started sneaking around at the beginning of last semester. Hayden found out over break and let’s just say, things got messy, but all is good now. Mack and I are together,” she announces as if it’s no big deal.

“Holy shit, I didn’t see that one coming,” I say. “You’ve barely spoken to him the last few years.”

“Yes, well, that all got cleared up the minute he saw me naked. But that isn’t important. I’d rather hear how Punta Cana was.” She waves us off and refocuses on Briar.

“Damn, I knew there was something going on with you. You weren’t around much and you were acting weird. I thought you were overwhelmed with school though,” I admit to Ruby. I’m not letting her drop this so easily. Dating her brother’s best friend and hiding it from all her friends is a huge deal.

“Sorry, I wanted to tell you guys so badly. But Hayden and Mack are close. I was playing with fire. I had to be careful. I like Mack so much. It felt like there was so much riding on the line.”

“I understand.” I reach out to squeeze her hand.

“Yeah,” Briar agrees.

“Thanks,” Ruby sighs. “I love you guys so much.”

We all chime that we love her too.

“Now spill the beans, Briar. I want to hear about this trip,” I say to Briar and the girls agree. Our friend Charlie is missing from our night out, but she and Finn are getting back from Tennessee tomorrow.

“Okay, but I need to whisper,” she says.

Ruby and I both nod, giving her our full attention.

“Basically, it was really quiet around here over break. We weren’t making much in tips and Taylor, one of the waitresses, pulled up her laptop and started looking for last-minute deals. We got a four-star resort with everything included for $450. Itwas an offer I couldn’t pass up. We were a group of about ten since some of the patrons who come here joined the trip.”

“Patrons?” I ask. “Who was it? Students from Riverside?”

She nods. “Some juniors and seniors. We basically ate and drank all day and lounged on the beach then partied at night. It felt so good to have that kind of break.”

Briar is on Riverside’s NCAA gymnastic team. She’s used to a very rigorous schedule, so this is out of the ordinary for her.

“Did you hook up with anyone?” I ask.

“I did, but I don’t think you’d know him,” she replies.

“Okay, Annie, it’s your turn,” Ruby prods. I feel bad that Briar knows about my fake relationship and Ruby doesn’t. I love Ruby and trust her, so it doesn’t feel right to lie.

“Rubes, you need to promise me you won’t share what I’m telling you with anyone,” I start. Our waitress brings over the cosmopolitans we ordered.

“Got it.” She nods.

“Cade and I are faking being together,” I whisper. “With Ford going to school here and wanting me back. . .”

I pause, as she holds up her hand. “He wants you back?”

I bob my head. “My mom decided to have Ford’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner. I had Cade there, thankfully,” I continue.

“Wait up,” Ruby says.

“How did Cade end up at your house?” she asks.

“It’s a long story but I was helping him since Scarlett is on his case about getting back together.”

“That girl is all kinds of crazy,” Briar declares. “Why would he take her back?”

“He wants to send her the message that he’s moved on. That’s where I come in,” I explain to my friends. “So he came home with me and acted as a buffer between Ford and me, which was great until I went to the kitchen after dinner to take a breatherand Ford followed me. For some insane reason he thinks I could still want him, even after I told him I was with Cade.”

“Shit, Annie, is he stalking you?” Ruby asks.

---