Page 58 of Enemy Crush
Celeste huffed out a sharp, cold laugh, her tone dripping with venom, “You mean you didn’t trust your best friends enough to tell us the truth?”
“No, it wasn’t that,” I said, “I couldn’t say anything...for Mom’s sake.”
Celeste scoffed in outrage. “Oh, don’t give me that. Youchosenot to tell us.”
“That’s not fair,” I pleaded. “Mom’s been so stressed and she made me promise not to say anything. I didn’t want to make things worse for her.”
“So our friendship meant nothing to you?” Celeste’s eyes flashed. “So you pretended it was all to do with your parents getting a divorce and all of our plans for senior year, homecoming, prom, spring break, college tours...meant nothing?” She threw her hands out in frustration.
“No, that’s not true,” I said, “our friendship means everything. It hasn’t been easy, Celeste. I’ve been trying to hold it together, to keep our friendship going, but you kept shutting me out. I came to Pine Ridge hoping to stay over and you just...” My voice shook as I recalled that weekend, my misty gaze including Naomi, “...you both ghosted me.”
“So now it’s our fault?” Celeste snapped. “You’re the one who left us, Quinn, with no warning and a feeble excuse. And now you’re saying your mother swore you to secrecy. Wow.” Celesteshook her head with dramatic effect. “So much for trust and friendship.”
“I did trust you,” I said, fearing I was about to succumb to tears. “But she’s my mom, Celeste. What was I supposed to do—betray her?”
Celeste crossed her arms, her stance hardening, eyes narrowing. “That’s right, act like you’re the victim. But you know what, Quinn, real friends don’t lie to each other.”
And real friends don’t abandon each other.It was on the tip of my tongue, but a single word sliced through the air with authority.
“Enough.”
Miller stepped forward, standing to my side, taking me off guard. His tone was low but it made Celeste stiffen, and me...I was in awe, speechless.
“How about backing off?” His eyes locked on hers. “You’ve made your point.”
Celeste blinked in surprise. “Ex...cuse me? And who are you? Her farm boy bodyguard?”
“Guess I am,” Miller said coolly.
“Oh, how sweet,” Celeste sneered, titling her nose in the air. “Tell me, is that flannel shirt vintage...or just old?”
I blanched at her insult and wanted to reach across and claw off her eyelash extensions, but Miller seemed unfazed and kept his voice steady, “Hey, you’re mad she didn’t tell you? Fine. Be mad. But don’t friends stand by one another, not rip them apart? Her mom made her promise not to tell anyone. You get that, right? Like, family comes first?”
“Oh great, now you’re preaching to me?” Celeste rolled her eyes with disbelief. “So, she’s the one who lied, but I’m the bad guy?”
“Right now?” Miller didn’t miss a beat, his stare unwavering. “Yeah. You are.”
I got goosebumps, his command of the situation and his loyalty to me so unexpected.
Celeste’s jaw clenched and her lips twitched as if she was determined to have the last word, but Naomi pulled her arm and said softly, “We should go.”
But Celeste obviously couldn’t resist one more dig, tossing her head as she said, “Hey, tell your Mom I’m interested in the blue Celine crossbody. Think you can cut a deal for me? I can pay cash.”
She marched off, the Mulberry purse swinging from her shoulder. I had a feeling I was never going to see my friends again—and though sad, I wasn’t devastated.
“Are you okay?” Clarissa was beside me, her arm around my waist in an embrace, a girl I barely knew. “Gee, she’s not very nice.”
I turned to her with an appreciative smile. “Thanks.”
“Take a break. Grab a coffee. I’ll be fine here,” she said.
I turned to Miller, my hands trembling. “You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered.
“Yeah, I did,” he said simply.
I swallowed hard, my throat thick, not able to look him in the eye. He’d just witnessed my downfall, my secrets laid bare. “Th...thank you,” I mumbled as I reached below the crates where my bag was tucked away. I put it over my shoulder, squishing Floyd between my fingertips.
“Let’s get that coffee, huh?” Miller was right there beside me as I walked off.
