Page 87 of Merry Mayhem
I frown. “So…what do you want to do?”
“You go through with the plan. You continue to pretend to be Violet’s boyfriend.”
“And what about after Merry Mayhem?”
“Well, I don’t know what you and Violet planned after that.”
“We didn’t plan anything after that. She had a car accident and ended up in a coma.”
Thea looks like I slapped her, and I immediately regret my words.” I’m sorry. I just mean?—”
“My sister is awesome. I’m guessing that if you did Merry Mayhem together, you would have wanted to keep dating her afterward.”
My heart bumps again, but this time it’s with panic. “What are you saying?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you and Violet do need to see?—”
Now I cutheroff. “No fucking way. I don’t want Violet. I want you.”
“I don’t know how to work this out.”
“So what? This is just over?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
Suddenly, bells start ringing, and there is cheering all around us.
We both startle, obviously forgetting that there is an event going on—that we’re supposed to be participating in—and that there are other people around us.
I hear theboomof the confetti canon, but it’s in the distance.
We turn to see Muriel and Patty pushing their own carts toward the finish line.
Without us.
And well behind everyone else.
Thankfully, this gift toss is in the middle of the football field, so our conversation has taken place in private for the most part.
Since every other contestant passed us several minutes ago.
“Well fuck,” Thea sighs.
And that pretty much sums it all up.
CHAPTER 17
THEA
Everyone wantsto talk to Violet after the first challenge, and they all head to Perks and Rec for lunch. It seems the entire town packs into my grandfather’s charming little coffee shop/ café/ bar.
Thank God.
It’s so busy that I end up helping take orders and deliver food, which keeps me moving and too distracted to obsess over Josh sitting next to Violet with Harley, Leo, Brewser, and Wilson, smiling and acting the part of the doting boyfriend.
I could tell Josh wanted to get me alone when we first arrived at the café, and was frustrated to have no chance to talk to me, but what good would that do? There’s nothing more to say. I don’t know a way out of this without someone getting hurt. If it’s me or someone I love, then I’ll pick me every time.
He’s here to help Violet. Nothing he and I do or say about a relationship between us helps Violet.
