Page 56 of Liars

I gaped. “Nash Hart? As in Kreed’s best friend?”

“The one and the same. Public’s star running back. Body sculpted like a god.” She shrugged. “To be honest, everyone knows about Raven Night. It’s the party the crew throws everyyear on the weekend before the playoff starts. You can only get in by invitation. If you don’t have the mark, you’re not getting in.”

“Do you have the mark?”

“Nash gave it to me.” She tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, but damn, if I wasn’t confused.

My brows furrowed. “Wait. You and Nash?—”

Poppy’s smirk widened. “You’re obsessed with Kreed’s dick. I’m fascinated with Nash’s.”

I had to take a sip of my drink to dislodge the chip stuck in my throat. “Excuse me. You’re dating Nash Hart? And for the record, I never said I was obsessed with any part of Kreed.”

“Dating is a stretch. We hook up sometimes when my brain momentarily forgets what a prick he’s turned into. It’s a mystery even to me.”

“You’re okay with that arrangement?” I learned more and more about Poppy every day.

“To be fair, I don’t want people to know either. We don’t like each other. Not really. And yet, things seem to magically happen when we’re alone and more than often drunk. It’s fucked up.”

“Um, okay. I don’t know how to respond.”

“Just say you’ll come.” A smile touched her lips. “It’ll piss off Kreed and be the perfect setting to start phase one of the Raven takedown.” She dangled the one incentive she knew I wouldn’t be able to resist.

Tendrils of excitement I hadn’t felt in weeks fluttered in my stomach. “Say no more. I’ll be there.”

“Good.” She leaned back in the booth, eyes gleaming in the dim diner light “Let’s make Kreed wish he never fucked with you.”

And for the first time since this whole disaster started… I actually smiled.

16

KAYLOR

Iwasn’t exactly in the mood for a party come Saturday, but every time I thought about Kreed—about the way he had humiliated me—a fire burned inside me. The kind that demanded retaliation.

He thought he was untouchable.

I wanted to show him no one was above reproach.

The prospect of seeing his face when he realized I wasn’t just some girl he could toy with had me sitting on my bathroom counter, applying my makeup with a steady hand despite the restless energy coiling inside me.

My phone buzzed on the marble countertop, breaking my concentration. I set down my mascara wand and glanced at the screen. Kenny’s picture filled the display, an old snapshot I’d taken of her last summer at the boardwalk, sun-kissed and carefree.

With a sigh, I swiped to accept the call, switching it to speaker so I could multitask.

“Hey,” two voices chorused in unison.

I should have guessed they’d be together. We’d been a trio. Now, they were a duo.

“Are you coming home this weekend?” Kenny asked, the hope in her voice making my stomach sink.

I already wasn’t thrilled about going out tonight, but disappointing my friends too? That only added to the weight pressing on my chest.

“I can’t,” I admitted, my reflection in the mirror frowning back at me.

“We haven’t seen you since the hospital, Kaylor. It feels like you’re forgetting about us,” Carson said, the guilt thick in his tone.

My throat tightened. “I’m not. Trust me, I want nothing more than to be with you guys. But things here…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “It’s been rough. I’m just trying to stay on track so I can still graduate with you.”

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