Page 7 of My Favorite Secret
“Get away from me,” I say. “You can’t talk to me like this.”
“Oh, but I can, Red.” He flicks my hair—the same hair he used to adore but is now taunting me for. “I’m starting to learn there are no real consequences for anything I do.”
“Don’t call me Red.”
He licks his lips, mocking me with a laugh. “Why stop when you look so pretty blushing over me? The way you get worked up over me might be my new favorite obsession. Last chance to meet me in my bedroom. You’re far prettier than that other girl.”
I hate that he’s teasing me. Felix doesn’t really want me to take the girl’s place. “Why do you have such an issue with me? What did I ever do to you?”
He meets my gaze, and a chill runs through me at the coldness in his eyes. “I’m not the one who started this.Youpulled away when I met new people you didn’t like.Youdecided you were too good for me. You’re a judgmentalpiece of shit, just like your mother and father, and it pisses me the fuck off.”
“I want the old Felix back.”
“So we can play cute little kissing games and hold each other’s hands? I’ll pass. You and I don’t have anything in common anymore. You’re prancing around life, believing everything is rainbows and butterflies. Some people have fucked up lives, Harper. You don’t realize how lucky you are. You have two parents who would do anything for you. My mother is dead. My father doesn’t give a shit about me and my brothers.”
“You know my mom loves you?—”
“Don’t fucking go there,” he snaps. “I didonething wrong with that fucking weed and she didn’t give me a chance to fix it. She took you away from me, the only good thing in my life, and you went along with her, turning against me. Everyone in my life abandons me. Well, you know what, I don’t want you back. You’re nothing to me anymore.”
My chin wobbles as I hold back tears, refusing to let Felix see me break.“How could you be so cruel? I hate you for everything you’ve said. I hate everything about you.”
He flicks a strand of my hair and smirks, stepping back from me. “The feeling is mutual, Red.”
CHAPTER FOUR
HARPER
Age: 18
“Princess, get out of my bed and fucking hug me.”
My eyes blink open to the sound of Tyler’s voice and I’m instantly smiling despite being dazed from the abrupt wakeup call.
I’ve spent an entire summer without my best friend while vacationing in Italy with my parents for Mom’s art exhibition. I rushed to the Blackwood penthouse as soon as ballet practice finished, hoping Tyler would be home from his first day of senior year. The housekeeper let me in, being the only person here. My jetlag must be strong because I have no memory of falling asleep in Tyler’s bed.
I sit up, gulping down shock when I see Tyler standing in the doorway and the growth spurt he’s had. I was only gone three months. How could he have changed so much? He’s still my Tyler. But he’s also… amannow, tall and broad andfarmore gorgeous than the last time we saw each other.
Tyler loosens the tie of his school uniform, ruffles ahand through his dark hair, and drops his bag to the ground. He’s grinning, waiting for me to jump on him with a hug. A hug is how I’d normally greet him, but a shyness creeps over me that I’ve never felt toward Tyler. My cheeks are hot, and my mouth is dry. Something flutters deep in my belly, making me squirm.
After several long seconds of me blinking at Tyler like I’m an idiot, his lips quirk and he laughs. “Harp, you all good?”
“Yes. You just… look different.”
It dawns on me that I’m in Tyler’s bed. I’ve been in his bed many times as a friend. Now, seeing how grown up he is… it feels inappropriate.
I step onto the floor and adjust my outfit, brushing out my skirt and pulling the top of my leotard higher to conceal my breasts.
Shit. I’m not wearing a bra. Can he see my nipples? Before I can pull my hair forward to hide my chest, Tyler’s arms are around my waist, lifting me off the ground.
I yelp at our closeness, tingling at every point of contact between our bodies. I’m overly aware of how firm and warm his chest feels. Of how good he smells.
Tyler laughs again, placing me back on my feet. “What the fuck is up with you?”
That goddamn laugh. The sound of it travels straight to my thighs, making my muscles clench in a way that sends a spark of pleasure through me.
“Sorry. Must be the jetlag.” My arms feel awkward at my sides, like I’ve forgotten how to use them.
He looks me over, seeing me in my pink ballet wear. “You just stepped off a plane and have already been to ballet class? I don’t know why I’m surprised.”
