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“And you’re ignoring the fact that you can’t control all the variables, and you don’t even have a backup plan in place. You’re just gonna keep making calls on the spur of the moment, and expecting me to just go with it. So, how long is too long, Maya? What if you don’t get an opportunity in a week?”

“We’d talk about it—”

“What if you’re still ‘pretending’ to date Jordy in a month?”

“Skye. It’ll be over by then, I’m sure of it.”

“It’s meant to be over now,” she snaps. “So, let’s say worst-case scenario. How long are you willing to keep this up for to get that perfect revenge moment?”

I sigh in frustration. “I don’t know, okay? It’ll depend. As long as it takes.”

“Right.”

“I thought you wanted this, too?” I ask.

“I wanted you to have your moment. But I didn’t know I was signing up for everything you just said. So, you know what? I don’t want to do this anymore. You do whatever you want.”

“You don’t want to do… the Jordy thing, or us?”

Her answer is a whip, right across my chest. “Both. Bye, Maya.”

She hangs up on me, and I stare at the phone in my hand.

THIRTY-FOURMaya

I spend the rest of the day with Jordy, watching bad movies and trying my best not to cry.

How did things go so wrong so fast? One second I’m planning this with Skye, and we’re both on exactly the same page, and the next,bam.She’s out. Out of the plan, and out of… Whatever we are.

What changed in these last few days? Is there something I’m not getting?

Is there a way out of this that leaves Skye and me unscathed, but keeps Jordy… super fucking scathed?

I glance at him. He’s stretched out next to me on the sofa, feet up and resting by my thighs, so he’s taking up three-quarters of the couch. I get the leftovers. I could have more, I guess, if I let him use my lap as a footrest, but I’ll pass on that.

“Something’s up,” Jordy says out of nowhere, not taking his eyes from the TV. “I’m not dumb, Maya.”

I go to deny it, but the moment I open my mouth, I’m hit by a tidal wave of grief. It makes my voice catch in my throat, and tears well in my eyes, and my heart starts weighing itself down, beat after heavy beat. I tip my head back to try to keepthe tears from spilling over, as a frantic chorus takes place in my mind.

You’ve lost Skye. Forever. Forever. Forever.

“Is it period stuff?” Jordy asks when I don’t reply.

I manage a nod.

“You should check out the room service menu. They have a few chocolate things on there. Sam loves chocolate when she’s on hers.”

I wipe my thumbs under my eyes and stand up. “I’m actually just gonna lie down for a while.”

Jordy nods. “Sounds good. I’m gonna get started on my crunches, then.”

He maneuvers onto the floor, but before he starts, just as I’m reaching the bedroom, he clears his throat. “Hey… Maya?”

I pause, and turn back.

“We’re… good, right?”

I force a watery smile. “Don’t worry. I’m not upset about you.”