Page 83 of The Friend Scheme
Holy. Shit.
Dad’s talking about the scheme. It makes my skin crawl.
“To that end, I have a request. If any of you have any suspicions about someone in your life, I ask that you come to me immediately and tell me all that you know. I understand that it will be hard, if you have formed a bond with them. But it’s what must be done. We must find every single Donovan in our ranks and put them down.”
I finish my champagne in one go.
“If you refrain, you are my enemy,” says Dad. “And you all know what I do to our enemies. Never forget that. Now, enjoy the rest of the party.”
Dad is wheeled backstage.
What he just said rings in my ears.If you refrain, you are my enemy.
I’m not willing to give Jason up.
It means I’m my dad’s enemy.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jason hasn’t texted me back.
I’m in my room, lying on my bed, staring at my phone.
My room is a wreck. There are discarded clothes all over the floor, the carpet needs a vacuum, and dirty dishes are scattered around my desk and on my bookshelf. I’ve been distracted, and Dad isn’t around to tell me to clean up, so I haven’t.
It’s been over a week since the dance. Eleven days, to be exact.
We kissed, and he hasn’t messaged me.
I can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe it’s because the Friend Scheme is out in the open between us.
Or maybe it’s because I’m a bad kisser.
Oh my God, what if I’m a bad kisser?
This is making me feel things I’ve never felt before. I want him to message mesobadly. It’s, like, the only thing I actually want to do. Then again, a part of me thinks our ending things is the best idea. It’s definitely safer than continuing to hang out, given who he is and how we met.
Maybe he’s realized that, too.
But on the other hand… He said he gave up on the scheme, and I believe him.
I’m in my room, lying on my bed, staring at my phone. I consider inviting him to the fair. I can picture it now. Me and him, strolling down the main strip. We’d play some games, eat some junk food, and have a good time.
We could talk, too.
The fair would be a perfect place to hang out, as it’s a public place. We’d both be safe. Plus, I think if we hung out at either my house or his, I have a feeling we’d make out the whole time. He must want to do it again as much as I do. Which would be so hot. But bad.
There’s a knock on my door.
“It’s open,” I say.
Luke appears. He’s clearly on his way to the gym. His earbuds are hanging down the front of his tank.
“Hey,” he says. “Are you free?”
I sit up in bed. “Do I look busy?”
“Don’t be a shithead.”
