Page 51 of Distorted Obsession (The Distorted Trilogy #1)

eva

Ever since the night of the poetry slam, my mind has been a mess of confusion. Even with Colt and Coop making it their mission to make me expire from coming, I can't shake this sense of uneasiness that lingers.

Everywhere I turn, I see glimpses of Farrah. But no matter how fast I follow, she disappears...

Why can't I hold onto her? Why do I keep losing her?

I’m beginning to believe it’s all in my head, but each time I find a note with something that only she would know, my belief is renewed.

It’s third down, and Lincoln-Wood just received a flag on the play, pushing them back fifteen yards, and right out of the red zone.

I watch as they break from the huddle and line up with our players.

After the snap, Groveton takes off, anticipating that Lincoln-Wood will send one all the way down into the end zone.

Instead, Lev pretends to hand the ball off to one of the running backs, causing our defense to respond by running back upfield.

Gasping, I watch as Lev steps back and sails it right into the hands of one of their receivers, who runs it in for the touchdown as the game clock ticks to zero.

“Damn, that was a good game,” Cammy utters, standing and dusting off whatever popcorn crumbs landed on her jeans.

“Word,” Ayana adds.

Humming my agreement, I say, “That last play is going to eat at our team until next year.”

We’re nearly to the bottom of the stands when I hear someone calling me. I look up and freeze. It’s Farrah’s mom. I school my features, trying to hide my fear. I’ve avoided any chance meetings with her as often as possible.

“Eva! I’ve missed you more than words can convey,” Mrs. Jacobi greets, wrapping me in a hug.

I choke back tears, inhaling her calming scent before I respond, “I’m okay.” It’s the only half-truth I can offer. What kind of ass would tell the mother who’s had to bury her child that she’s a wreck over her death?

A tear must escape, because she wipes my face, embracing once more, but this time, tighter.

“I know, Evie Rose, I’m still processing—three years later and I’m still seeking answers, I may never get,” Mrs. Jacobi confess as we both drop our arms. Her soft eyes blink away the tears threatening to fall.

If she cries, I’ll fall apart.

Clearing her throat, she probes, “How are the boys treating you?”

My eyes widen, and a blush blooms up my neck into my cheeks. “G-g-good,” I finally mumble.

She studies me. “Are you certain? I can talk to them if need be.”

Smiling, I nod. “Very much so. They’ve been a great help.” Wanting to steer this conversation away from the twins, I ask her about her research and where she’s been traveling.

We chat for about fifteen minutes when I see the back of a very familiar head.

Refusing to lose her again, I quickly kiss Mrs. Jacobi, promising to visit more often. Then I run as fast as my legs will carry me.

I turn the corner in time to see Farrah disappear into the girls’ locker room.

“Fah. Fah, wait,” I scream, but she just keeps running, exiting through the door on the other side.

Bursting through the door, I watch her disappear into the woods.

This is a bad idea, Evie.

But I can’t talk myself out of it. This is the longest I’ve ever kept pace without losing her.

I double my speed, pumping my legs until they burn. When I can finally make out her tattoo, I push myself harder. It pays off when I pass her and turn.

“Fah—” I freeze.

My face morphs into a range of emotions in the span of a millisecond. Shock… anger… sadness… rage—all boil in my gut as my last vestige of hope dies.

“Candace,” I shriek.

She cackles, “It took you long enough to figure it out.”

“Why?” I blurt before I can stop myself.

“You can’t be that fucking dense. You know why,” she hurls at me.

Clenching my teeth, I try to rein in my temper. “This is beyond fucked up, even for you.”

She ignores my jab. “I have to admit it was so satisfying to hear your pained cries. “ Fah, Fah. Is that you? Stop, please.” She makes a piss-poor attempt to mimic my voice. “You truly are desperate.”

“What does that make you, then?” I lob back.

Arching a brow, she retorts, “Smarter than you.”

“Right, because smart people run around tormenting people by pretending to be my dead best friend.”

“It’s better than being the girl who killed her best friend.”

Her words slice through my heart because I am that girl. But none of that matters in this moment.

I’m at my wits’ end. This is what tips me right over the edge “You gutless, stupid bitch,” I scream, slapping her across the face so hard it makes my palm sting. “How could you pretend? Why would you even want to? You’re fucking sick.”

Blood runs down Candace’s nose, onto her teeth as she grins up at me. “Who’s the sick one here?” Her eyes twitch. “Who’s fucking her dead best friend’s brothers to atone for deserting her at her weakest point and causing her death?”

I launch at her, her body crashing to the ground as I topple on top of her. “You’re a twisted cunt and I’m going to make you pay for this.” I slap her across the face two more times before standing over her. “I can’t wait to tell Colt and Coop about all of your bullshit.”

Tilting her head, her smile widens. “Who do you think put me up to this?”

I blink, hoping it will improve my hearing, because there’s no way I heard her correctly. “Excuse me?”

Her grin grows before she responds, “I said, who do you think gave me the green light to punish you like this?”

“No… no. I refuse to believe this bullshit. They wouldn’t use their sister’s death like this,” I reason, but I’m uncertain who I’m reasoning for.

“They want you to suffer, but like the thirsty bitch you are, you’re too wrapped around their cocks to realize it,” Candace scoffs before she continues. “The Jacobis are not your friends. They want you dead.”

She’s lying, Evie. She’s trying to shift the blame. They wouldn’t—couldn’t.

But doubt creeps in like a thief in the night.

Pushing that possibility away, I retort, “You think I’ll fall for your game.” My fist curl at my side as I speak again. “You expect me to believe that they wanted you to run around campus dressed like their dead sister just to torment me?”

Candace rolls her eyes. “You think they care about you, Eva?” Her gaze is filled with unmasked contempt. “They want to destroy you.”

I’m about to tell her to get bent when a branch snaps to my right, pulling my attention towards the sound. Candace uses my distraction, rising to her feet and sprinting away. I’m too tired to bother chasing her down. Instead, I drop to my knees, hoping that her words were lies.