Page 110 of Liars

Mason smirked at the reaction, then turned his attention to me. “So, my little kitten, care to share what my dear brother did to make you freeze him out?”

“Nothing happened,” I insisted, pulling my stare from the snow-covered trees.

Mason studied me, then Kreed. His sharp green eyes narrowed, flicking between us, his expression shifting as realization dawned. “The only time a girl ever ices out Kreed is after he…” He leaned forward between the seats, his eyes narrowing, then widening. “Holy. Shit.” His eyes went back and forth between Kreed and me. “Why didn’t I see it? It’s so obvious.”

Maddox, who had been silent until now, frowned. “What?”

“They hooked up,” Mason announced.

I went rigid. I should have denied it. Instantly, and the dreaded silence that followed only made it worse.

Maddox’s head snapped toward us, his sharp eyes locking on to Kreed like a loaded gun. His entire body tensed, his hands curling into fists. “No. Fucking. Way.”

“Drop it, Mason,” Kreed warned, not looking particularly happy.

Maddox’s hands clenched into fists, his breathing heavy. “Is that why you don’t want me to sleep with her? Because you already did?”

I whipped my head toward him. “Excuse me? Back the fuck up, Brutus—when did I ever give you the impression I wanted to sleep with you?”

Kreed’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. “Maddox?—”

“You fucking hypocrite!” Maddox exploded. And then, all at once, he lunged.

The car swerved violently as Kreed jerked the wheel, barely keeping control. I gasped, gripping the door handle as my stomach lurched. Mason, the absolute lunatic, just cackled from the back seat like this was the best entertainment he’d ever had.

“Are you insane?!” I shrieked as Maddox swung, his fist narrowly missing as Kreed blocked him with one hand, the other struggling to keep the car on the road. The tires screeched, veering dangerously close to the other lane. My heart slammed against my ribs, and I braced myself, praying we wouldn’t end up in a ditch.

“Get off me, you asshole!” Kreed roared, his muscles straining as he shoved Maddox back, but the unpredictable twin was furious—seething—his fists still raised like he was ready to throw another punch. The car jerked again, a sharp skid making my stomach drop.

And then Kreed snapped.

With a roar, he slammed on the brakes, the car jerking violently forward, sending all of us lurching in our seats. The scent of burning rubber filled the air as the tires skidded against the pavement. Before Maddox could make another move, Kreed grabbed him by the collar, yanking him close. Their faces were inches apart, both of them breathing heavily, tension crackling between them. “Get. A. Grip.”

Maddox glared, his chest heaving, but Kreed’s eyes were dark, deadly.

No one spoke.

For a moment, the only sound was the rumble of the engine and the distant honking of a car that had swerved to avoid us.

I thought for sure Kreed was going to hit him.

Mason broke the silence with a lazy drawl. “Well, that was the most fun I’ve had on a school morning in a long time.”

Shaking my head, I glared out the window, my arms crossed over my chest as Kreed released Maddox, who fell back into his seat. If I thought the things had been awkward, the strain hovering in the SUV now was suffocating.

Fucking idiots.

28

KAYLOR

Ican’t believe Maddox thought I would sleep with him.

It was the same thought I’d had a dozen times during classes. The absurdity of it still clung to me like static, crackling in the back of my mind as I sat through class after class, unable to focus. Every time I glanced at the whiteboard, the words blurred, morphing into shit I didn’t want to dwell on.

When had I ever given him the impression that I was interested? I could barely tolerate any of them. Yet, despite my best efforts, Kreed had carved a space in my mind I couldn’t seem to reclaim. The bastard had forced his way in, and I hated myself for letting him.

I wanted to resent him.

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