Page 19 of Wicked Minds
I blow out my breath, realizing I’m not getting anywhere. “I get that,” I appease. “However, I need you to just open your mind to the possibility. To hear us out. Hearherout.”
I realize I’ve said the wrong thing when his entire posture stiffens. “And allow her to brainwash me the same way she has you? No fucking thanks. I thought she wanted nothing to do with either of you, so why are you still fighting her corner?”
“Because we all have to amicably co-exist on campus for the next six months, and I want to know that you’re going to leave her in peace,” I bark back at him, except it's more than that. He has a half-sister out there that he knows nothing about. He can agree to leave Riley alone, to not bother her for the rest of the school year, but the two of them need to resolve this once and for all. If not for themselves, then for that little girl. Because I know if Grayson would just stop being an unbelievable pigheaded twat he’d step up and be the best brother in the world for that kid.Just like he’s the best friend anyone could ask for.Again, when he’s not being an insufferable pigheaded twat.
And even if Riley wants nothing to do with us ever again, at least she’d have support in the form of Grayson. She wouldn’t be so alone in everything she’s going through, and he’d ensure she got whatever part of the Van Doren wealth she was entitled to.
“You want me to cross my heart and swear to stay away from the lying bitch,” Grayson mocks, getting my hackles up. “Then fine, I’ll stay away from her. She’s done enough damage to last a lifetime.” He drops his empty cereal bowl into the sink with a clatter. “Maybe when we’re finally done with this university, and she’s out of our lives, the two of you will pull your heads out of your asses in time to save our friendship.”
With that, he stalks out of the kitchen, which is probably for the best since he was one more insult away from winning himself a black eye. If anyone is responsible for the demise of our friendship, it’s him and his bullheadedness.
7
GRAYSON
Leaning back in my office chair, I fist the Barbie-pink scrunchie in my hand as I stare out the floor-to-ceiling window that provides me with a bird’s-eye view over downtown Springview.
Except it isn’t the city I see before me.
It’s a red-haired girl with gleaming hazel eyes and the ability to haunt my every waking and sleeping moment. The only woman who fills my veins with hatred and makes my dick fucking weep for her. The only one who could possibly come between me and my best friends.
The fact that I’ve spent more time in my office than at home—where I should be over the holidays—says everything about just how perfectly she placed herself between us. Created a wedge so damn big that we’re practically standing on separate continents.
The three of us have barely spoken since Christmas Day, moving around one another like ghosts. This morning’s confrontation with Royce is the first actual conversation we’ve had—and look how it went down. A fresh wave of anger boils through my veins.
I should never have brought that bitch into our home. It did more harm than good. I just wanted some good old-fashioned revenge, and instead, she’s tossed a grenade into my friendship with Royce and Logan.
Allof this is because of her.
Sheis the one responsible for our ruination.
Still, as I stare down at the pink scrunchie twisted around my fingers, I can’t help but wonder how she managed to get to Royce.
Of all people…
He can see through people’s bullshit better than most.
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him this morning, but I could see the sky-high walls erected around him, braced for impact, along with the hostility in his stare, and I decidedfuck that.If he wants to see me as the enemy instead of her, fine. I’d be the fucking enemy. Nothing I say or do is going to change his mind. She’s got him wrapped around her finger too tightly.
How can he not see through her manipulations? See the snake hiding beneath her pretty exterior?
But then, once upon a time, I couldn’t see her for who she really was either…
The teenage girl I used to know never came across as malicious. She was sweet and shy, blushing anytime she caught me staring at her and quickly ducking her head. At the time, I found it endearing. Cute, even. I relished in making her cheeks burn.
Now, that sweet and shy teenager has grown into a firecracker of a woman. One who blazes defiance and hisses snarky comebacks like they’re weapons.
Still… Royce should have seen through it, and I can’t make heads or tails out of the fact he hasn’t. Out of the fact he’s now fuckingdefendingher.
He’d looked sick to his stomach when I walked in that night, finding him sitting in the dark like some cheesy villain in a B-rated movie, and his voice fuckingcrackedas he told me how badly we’d fucked up.
It just doesn’t make any sense.
Nothingis making sense anymore.
Not my best friends.
Not my dad.
