Page 94 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
And I get it. I do. I know Bailey thinks she’s doing this for me. And maybe she needs this for her too. Maybe it’s the closure she’s after, or whatever. But my gut’s twisting as I take a move toward the steps leading down to the crowded pool area. “What are we waiting for?”
She wraps an arm around my waist and squeezes. A silent thanks, or maybe she’s trying to reassure me. But I swear it feels like she’s reaching inside my ribcage with that squeeze.
Bailey’s got my heart in her hands and she doesn’t even know it.
Freakin’ hell. How did this happen?
My chest tightens further with every step we take into enemy territory. The crowd is thick and the music loud, and over the next couple hours it only gets more packed, and the music keeps getting cranked up to be heard over the voices.
It’s just a matter of time before the cops arrive, and everyone knows it, which is why they’re throwing themselves into this party like it’s the last time they’ll ever see a beer.
Even Toni’s drinking, which is kinda hilarious. I’m not sure what she gets up to with her drama friends on the weekends, but judging by the way she got drunk in a heartbeat, I’m gonna guess they don’t throw a lot of keggers.
“Do you think I should tell her to slow down?” Bailey asks. There’s a motherly concern to her voice, but she’s watching Toni throw back a Jello shot with an indulgent smile.
“Nah, she’s having fun,” I say.
Also, selfish ass that I am, I don’t want Bailey to walk away.
Considering how much I don’t want to be here, we’ve actually been having fun. Sort of. I mean, I’d still rather be alone withBailey, but seeing as we’re currently social pariahs, we’re pretty much on our own in this little corner of the party.
I’m nursing a beer, just biding my time. Bailey’s not drinking, but she’s relaxed as she leans against me. I’ve got an arm around her shoulders, and we’ve spent the better part of the past couple hours either making fun of our drunken classmates, debating the merits of the music selection, or narrating the scene before us using stupid sports announcer voices.
“Ugh.” Bailey’s nose crinkles up as Toni gets swallowed up by a crowd of Graysonites. “She’s gonna need a rescue soon.”
I stroke her back. “She’ll be fine. You worry too much.”
She rests her head against my shoulder, and I love it. I love the feel of her in my arms like this. Like it’s second nature.
“They’re gonna grill her about us,” she says. “You know that’s what they’re doing.”
No sooner does she say it than two of the girls standing near Toni with their backs to us whip their heads around and spear us with curious glances.
“See?” Bailey says lightly. Too lightly. She’s acting like she doesn’t care, but she clearly does.
“Are you psychic?” I ask. “Seriously. That was impressive the way you called that.”
She laughs and I feel it where her upper body presses against my ribcage. “Not psychic. I’ve just been in that circle enough to know what they’re up to.”
“You don’t think they’ve decided today is the day they befriend Toni?” I tease.
She winces as she watches them. “Toni’s too good for that crowd.”
“Ah,” I say as if I’m having a lightbulb moment. “So that’s why you never invited her to these parties when you and Grayson got together.”
She elbows me in the ribs. “Cut it out.”
I kiss the top of her head in apology. She told me about her come-to-Jesus moment with Toni. I know she’s still feeling the guilt, but I also figure it’s up to me to help her make light of it. “It’s in the past, Bailey. We’ve all made mistakes.”
She blinks up at me, her brows arching. “Even you?”
I meet her gaze evenly. I know what she’s asking without her spelling it out. We haven’t revisited the heavy conversation about how our friendship ended since the night at my house when she called me out on my shit.
You stopped trying. I can still hear her saying it, every inflection in her voice engraved in my brain. Those words have been haunting me for weeks now.So, what? You just gave up?
My jaw grows tight at the memory of her accusations. But she hadn’t been wrong. So yeah, I know what she’s asking. She wants to know if I’ve owned it. If I’m taking responsibility.
Even you?she’d asked.
