Page 137 of Text Me Baby One More Time

My gaze snaps to her and she’s looking at me like she’s in pain.

I don’t know if it’s the memories or the fact that she’s wishing she didn’t have to tell me what I don’t know.

“Delia?” I say.

“It’s not pretty, Denny,” she warns.

“Tell me anyway.”

She and Zoe exchange a look.

“You didn’t tell her?” Delia asks her.

“I didn’t know I needed to.”

Delia sighs, her eyes falling back to me. “Are you sure? It’s probably going to change things for you two.”

The thudding in my chest picks up pace and pure panic begins to race through me.

I watch them, their faces filled with worry and dread and total fucking pity.

Ihatepity.

“I feel like I’m missing something very important over here. What are we talking about?”

“I think we’re about to break your sister’s heart,” Zoe says to Monty.

“Oh. Maybe Ishouldn’tbe present then.”

She begins to turn away, but I clasp her hand, keeping her close because I feel like I’m going to need all the strength she can offer me.

Monty squeezes me back, letting me know she’s not going anywhere.

“Tell me.Please.”

“Okay.” Delia clears her throat. “I, uh, sent Zach a naked picture when we first started dating. The pervert was bugging me about sexting and I finally gave in by sending him a nude. It was this really cute, tasteful shot of just—”

“Can you focus on the story, D?” Zoe interrupts her.

“Oops. Sorry.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, we were at Zach’s parents for Thanksgiving and I was kind of giving him the third degree for being a dick to my bestie because of girl code.” Delia pauses and laughs. “Funny, considering Zoe ended up with my ex, breaking rule number one.”

“You snooze, you lose.” Zoe waves her off.

My ears begin to clog with the rhythmicthump thump thumpof my overactive heart. Bile begins to rise in my throat, and suddenly I wish I hadn’t crammed so much cake in my gob because I’m certain it’s about to come back up.

“Anyway,” Delia continues, “Shep, uh, got ahold of the photo after borrowing Zach’s phone.”

“Oh god.” The words tumble from my lips and I have to slap my hand over my mouth so the puke doesn’t follow.

Delia winces. “I’m sorry, Denny.”

“Are you saying…” Allie trails off.

“Say it, Delia.” I squeeze Monty’s hand tighter, bracing myself for the words. “I need to hear you say it.”

“I don’t want to. Zoe, you do it.”

“No way. Shep is your demon, not mine.”

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