Page 120 of Craving Venom

I knew she’d bring that up.

I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “I don’t know,” I mutter, already dreading this conversation. “I’m kind of tired. Just want to catch up on sleep.”

Tria gasps, clutching her chest. “Come on, Faith! You can’t bail on me now. Xaden’s playing, and I don’t want to go alone.”

I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “You’ll survive, Tria. Besides, why do I have to go just because Xaden is playing?”

Before she can answer, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I pull it out, squinting at the message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: Dog bite? You really don’t know how to lie, good girl.

Of fucking course it’s him.

A slow, annoyed breath escapes through my nose as I type out a reply.

Well, you should be grateful I didn’t call you a blobfish. Which, to be fair, you kinda resemble.

Tria nudges my arm, peering at my phone. “Who are you texting?”

I slip it back into my pocket. “Nobody important,” I lie.

“Oh, come on. Is he that mysterious guy you’re pretending you don’t like?”

I shoot her a pointed look. “Trust me, it’s not worth your attention.”

Tria pouts, but she doesn’t push. Instead excitement creeps back into her eyes. “Alright, back to the game. You are coming, whether you like it or not. And I’ve got a brilliant idea to make it even more fun.”

I arch a brow, not sure if I like where this is going. “And that would be?”

Her grin turns wicked. “We raid Brit’s stash of jerseys. You know she hoards that shit from the players.”

I groan, shaking my head. “You are ridiculous.”

Tria beams. “But you love me.”

“Debatable.”

“Okay, rude,” she huffs, but she’s laughing.

I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips. “Fine. We’ll go bug Brit for some jerseys.”

Tria claps her hands together. “Yes! This is going to be so much fun, Faith. You won’t regret it.”

As she rambles on about Xaden and the upcoming game, something cold settles in the back of my mind.

Maybe this game is my chance to break free from whatever this is, my opportunity to finally sever the twisted connection between me and Zane. Yet the thought doesn’t leave easily—it nags at me, lingering longer than it should, refusing to let go.

Do I really want him to leave me the fuck alone?

Yes, Faith. Yes, you want exactly that.

CHAPTER TWENTY

THE BEAUTY

Britt looks between me and Tria, already knowing we’re up to some bullshit. “You want Trevor’s jersey?”

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