Page 38 of The Ruthless Note

My best friend looks suspiciously at me.

“It’s just gossip. I swear.”

“And what about you and Hunter? Are you going out again?”

I groan. After I left the diner yesterday, I texted Hunter to ask if he was okay and to thank him for being my pretend boyfriend.

His response was:The only problem I had was that it was pretend.

I haven’t had the heart to respond and let him down.

“Hello?” Breeze yells. “The perfect opportunity is right in front of you. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

“I’m not interested in Hunter like that.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s… he’s…”

“He’s what?” Breeze whirls around. Her blonde hair is a mess of silky strands over her face. “He’s from our world. He knows what it’s like to struggle. He’d never judge you or make you feel small because of where you come from. He’s got a kid brother that he’s taking responsibility for. He tried to help you out before you even knew him. If someone like Hunter doesn’t deserveat the minimum, a consideration, what the hell are you looking for?”

I sit up straight, my chest heaving. Her words are a hot brand against my skin. I don’t want to face the truth they’re uncovering. I don’t want to live in a world where I admit I feel something other than hatred for the wicked prince of Redwood Prep.

“You need to get out of that psycho’s clutches before you’re really, truly stuck.” Breeze leans forward and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’m not saying you have to jump into bed with Hunter or any other guy tomorrow. Just… don’t close the door on someone new before it even opens.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I’m asking.” She gives me a hug. “I gotta go. My mom’s on my case about my chemistry grades. She’s forcing me to get a tutor.”

Vi waves goodbye to Breeze. “You owe me five bucks.”

“She’s not with Dutch yet, baby. I’m still in the running!” Breeze blows me a kiss and slams the door shut.

My eyes widen. “You two bet on me?”

Vi shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

I scoot to the edge of the sofa. “Vi, I know you’re a fan of Dutch’s, but I don’t want you to take it too far, okay? He’s not a good guy.”

“Yes, he is,” she insists. “I can tell.”

My heart burns with frustration. “How? Because you have a feeling?”

“Yeah.”

I roll my eyes.

“It’s not only that,” she adds. “Because of Jinx’s app, I found out he saved you from drowning once.”

My mouth opens wide. “That was…”

“And he helped you with your stage fright. I saw it.” She hooks two fingers at her face. “With my own two eyes. Would a bad guy do all that?”

“He’s done a lot of bad things too,” I argue.

“Like what?” she challenges.

I stuff my mouth with popcorn because there’s no way I’m discussing Dutch’s bullying with my sister. It would stress her out and make her worry more about things she can’t control.