Page 65 of The Devils They Are

Not really, anyway.

Arch reaches over, placing his hand on top of mine. "You don't have to deal with things alone. I promised you in fifth grade that I'd always be there for you."

"Don't you dare," I threaten, only half playfully, knowing what's coming.

He raises an eyebrow. "Nope. I'm initiating the pact. We promised to always be honest with each other—sealed with a pinky promise. So, tell me what's going on. You're legally obligated under theBarchleyoath."

My lips twitch at our bestie name. It was one of those ridiculous things we did in elementary school, when I decided to adopt him as my friend forever. There was no escaping my grip once the scrawny little kid had stolen my favorite crayon by accident. Oh, Arch. Where would I even start?

I check to make sure the teacher is still facing the board before I pivot in my seat toward him. "Not here."

"Yes," he says sternly. "Because as soon as class is over, you're going to bolt, Bex. I know you too well. And I'm getting far too old to chase with my dodgy knees."

I'm fairly certain I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown, because all I do is laugh quietly in response. That and because his knees are far from dodgy. One season of basketball and a torn ACL that was repaired, and he thinks his knees are screwed for all eternity.

But I guess I just laugh, because my life is a joke right now. Laugh, because in about ten seconds, Arch is going to regret everything and he's going to feel as bad as I do. And then I'll feel ten times worse for bringing him into my mess.

And worse of all, laugh, because he might never look at me the same way and I don't know how I'll cope with that. I need him. I can't lose the one person in my life who is constant.

Taking a deep breath, I dissociate from my feelings, allowing that numb relief to wash over me like Lidocaine.

"Mom is dead," I finally say quietly. "She died last week. And I wasn't there with her because I was in bed with the Devil."

Chapter twenty-three

Tai

"Hey,asshole!"

My fingers hover over the keyboard, pausing as footsteps storm into my bedroom.

"Hello to you, too," I grin without glancing over.

Soph slams her hand down on the end of my desk before using her foot to kick my chair and spin me around.

Sighing, I lean back lazily. "If Calvin ate your shoes, I already warned you not to leave them out. You have no one to blame but yourself."

She glowers at me. "Did you end up taking yourbiology bookback to school?"

"Yes, why?" I ask slowly, narrowing my eyes in suspicion at the question. Well, there's nothing suspicious about it to be fair. Twin telepathy and all. For example, right now, I know Sophia is pissed at me because she realizes I may have used her in a ploy.

"Did you accidentally leave it behind or were you just being an asshole?"

"You're gonna have to be more specific," I joke. "Tell me more about this asshole behavior."

Soph scans my face for a second before kicking the seat—right in between my legs. Yelping, I cover my balls, pushing the chair back into the desk to put some distance between us. Because that was likely just a warning. All's fair in love and sibling rivalry. She has no qualms with putting me on my ass.

"You lied to me for one of your stupid games," she scowls. "I told you to keep me out of your business with Rylan and Hunter."

Crossing my legs—for protection, of course—I fold my arms while holding eye contact. "Did dear Bexley tell you that?"

"Why do you all have to be such assholes? Seriously. Destroying her books? That's low, even for you."

"It's just business, Soph. Chill."

When she steps closer, I automatically cover my junk.

"Mom raised you better than that," Soph says. And now I'm annoyed.

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