Page 70 of Deliverance

“Says who?”

“I was there when he asked her. She didn’t end up going with him, so you might still have a chance.”

She lets out a disgusted noise. “Are you saying if I’m going up against Skyla Parris for a man, I’ll lose?”

“You lost Asher,” I say, rubbing salt into that wound just for the hell of it.

Her face tenses, but she doesn’t look nearly as hurt as I anticipated. Interesting.

“We’ll see. When he figures out she’s fucking around with his best friend, he might feel differently.”

I’m instantly set on edge with that. How does she know that? Oh yeah, did I mention? Not only is Skyla hooking up with Asher’s uncle, but apparently his best friend, too. Not that I’ve gotten all the details, but he took her out for a date the other night and he’s been on her like glue ever since. Honestly, she thinks she’s so subtle, but she’s not. Clearly. Which is a dangerous thing. If the Brethren doesn’t tolerate queer relationships in any form, not sure how they will handle a polyamory situation, because I think we all know that’s where things are heading. They’d all be dead by morning if Christopher or any of the other Elders found out.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I hiss.

“No?” She challenges. “Liam is pussy whipped. He follows her around like a lost puppy. To classes, to lunch. He’s even stopped hanging out with Asher. I think it’s pretty obvious what’s happening.”

I laugh like she couldn’t be more off, while making a mental note to beat Skyla’s ass, because I do not want to see my best friend buried in a shallow grave, or worse, mysteriously missing forever.

“I won’t deny that Skyla is hooking up with someone who is not Asher, but are youreallysure it’s Walcott?” I ask with a smug grin.

She narrows her eyes at me like she’s trying to sniff out the lie.

“Bullshit. She’s not into women.”

“Neither were you, but as you remember, I can be very…persuasive,” I say as I rest a hand on her bare thigh.

It’s meant to be a tactical move, something to put her on edge and drop the topic. I didn’t realize she wasn’t wearing any stockings with her skirt, though. Didn’t realize my hand would land on her silky bare thigh. Didn’t realize my heart would start beating out of my chest at just a single touch of my hand against her. It’s a bitch that my body hasn’t gotten on board that we hate Bridgette Brenton. In fact, I think the traitorous thing is still halfway in love with her.

Her suspicion eases, as a whole new emotion I can’t quite name comes to the surface. We stare at each other for a few moments, suspended in time, before she closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Tell me the truth, Maggie. You’re…you’re with her?”

The tone she uses cracks something inside my chest. Like she’s pleading for me to say no. Like she’s begging for it to not be true. Does that mean she still feels this…pull, too? For a moment, I want to give her that. I want to tell her that she is the realest thing I’ve ever felt in my life, and even though I hate myself for it, I still think of her every goddamn day.

This moment isn’t about me, though. It’s about protecting my friend. So, I lie.

“It’s nothing serious. She’s just experimenting.”

Hurt passes over Bridgette’s face as she shoves my hand off her thigh and rises to her feet. She doesn’t say a word, just grabs her purse and storms out the door. I hear her car fire up before tearing out of the driveway. Staring at my untouched meal, I stand as well, grabbing my things to leave. I’m sure I’ll catch hell for not sticking around, but that’s tomorrow’s problem. Right now, I just need to be alone.

“Hey,” Brad says as he comes down the stairs. “Where are you going?”

“Home,” I say. “Where is Miles?”

“I put him in front of a video game. I don’t think we will see him for an hour at least.”

I nod. “Nice work.”

He doesn’t smile or acknowledge my words as he opens the front door and guides us outside. Once the door is shut, he crosses his arms over his chest.

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Between you and my sister? Who hurt who?”

I lift an unimpressed eyebrow.