Page 44 of A Ballad of Betrayal and Beauty

But something churns in the pit of my stomach. Something uneasy and sour that ferments like rotting meat. Perhaps it’s because there was a time when Logan and Key were friends before I showed up. There’s a whole history between them that I was never invited in on. Then there was that day . . .

“Hey,” I start cautiously. “What was it that you two got into that fight about, anyway? I can’t remember.”

It’s not that I can’t remember, it’s that I literally have no idea. I just remember walking in on the two of them. Key, holding Logan up by his collar against the wall of the barracks. Key had seemed to come to his senses for a moment, and when his back was turned, Logan was ready to swing at him from behind. So I clocked him in the face. I never liked the guy and didn’t particularly like that he was a part of our little makeshift band at Samson Academy. I was thrilled when Key started to pull away from him. Then when I saw them fighting, I didn’t even need to ask whose side I should be on. Key is my brother. I’d do anything for him.

“Who remembers?” Key says quietly. “It was so long ago.”

“Seriously? It must have been bad. You two were really going at it. I was worried you were going to kill him.”

Key sighs, his head falling back on his shoulders. “From what I remember, which isn’t a lot . . . I think he’d gone through my personal effects.”

I raise my eyebrows. “He went through your shit?”

He nods slowly and smacks his lips. “Yeah.”

“But . . . why?”

His gaze locks on some memory in the distance. “He went through my mail. Letters and shit I had in my trunk. Took something from me that—something important that I can never get back.”

Key’s cheeks turn red and there’s an ache that begins to spread in my chest. “Dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t know?—”

“It’s fine.” Key brushes his hands off on his lap and stands, but his eyes are wet. Whatever it was that Logan took from him . . . it still hurts him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.

Key grins even though his lip quivers. “I didn’t feel like I needed to. You were exactly who I needed at that moment. I didn’t even need to ask or explain . . . you just had my back.”

I nod. “I always will.”

He claps me on the shoulder and squeezes. “Right, well, now that I’ve been thoroughly drowned in bad memories, what say you to us hitting up the titty bar?”

My muscles tense. Shit . . . I wasn’t expecting this tonight. “Uh, really? Tonight?”

Key rubs his hand down his face. “Yeah, I could really use the distraction. Maybe bring home a friend?”

I can’t go there with him. Not after finally getting Cherry to agree to a date. I mean, she used to be a stripper, but I doubt she wants to date a guy who is out and gawking at other women. Not to mention, it’ll be more difficult to convince Key that I can’t bring someone home once I’m out.

“Actually, I can’t.”

“What?” he blusters. “Why not?”

I grab the cough medicine from the counter. “I think I might be coming down with something.” I fake a cough. “Don’t want to screw up our performance schedule by getting some nasty bug. I’m just going to take this and go to bed.”

Key groans. “Come on, seriously?”

I shrug. “We can go some other time.”

“Fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Key huffs before turning toward his room. Feeling like an absolute asshole, I call after him. “Hey, Key?”

“Yeah?”

“Everything will be okay.”

He nods. “Yeah, I know.”

Then, with one last smile, he disappears down the hallway, and I stand with my feet glued to the floor wondering if the friendship we have is strong enough to welcome another person into our lives.

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