Page 93 of My Undead Heart

I nod and roll mine too. “He lost his mind. I tried to get in the way and got hit. He went for Jared ...” I gulp because that was it, the moment I knew I couldn’t continue to let this man exist in my life. I tolerated him hurting me, but with Jared it was too much.

“He beat the shit out of me. Thank God, Campus Police came. We pressed charges.Hewas arrested, suspended, and ended up transferring. Best punch to the face I ever took.” Jared blows me a kiss and for the thousandth time I’m hit with how lucky I am to have him as my best friend.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you. I can’t believe you never said anything!” Rae slinks back into her seat.

“You were in your awkward pubescent years, li’l sis.” Jared laughs.

“Honestly, Rae, it’s behind me. After that I swore I’d never change for a man and I haven’t looked back. Not until Matt.”

“He’s not hurting you, is he? Because I’ll kill that motherfucker!” Jared’s shout draws the attention of everyone sitting near our table. I shake my head and lift one brow, becausereally?

Jared meets my stare and scoffs. “Okay, I’d at least hire someone bigger and stronger to kill him.”

I shake my head because that’s not it. “Matt’s not the problem. It’s me! I haven’t done a relationship since my fucked up college one, so I don’t know how to be considerate. I don’t want to change who I am for anyone.”

“Is that what Matt’s asking you to do?” Rae asks.

“No, but I’m scared I’ll do it anyway.”

Jared raises his brows and shakes his head. “Mia, we’re talking about you here. I say go right, you go left. I say jump, you say go fuck yourself. Hell, I ask you not to eat the last donut, and you always eat the last motherfucking donut. I don’t think you’re going to accidentally change who you are. You’re too set in your ways.”

“Maybe that’s why I’ll never have another relationship. Who wants to be with someone like that?”

“I don’t know. I get the impression Matt does.” Rae shrugs.

I groan because I’m still at a loss. “But how do I even approach the subject? ‘Hey, so, you know how we’re dating but not really? Maybe we could really.’”

Jared laughs and shakes his head. “Maybe work on the delivery, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. If you’re into him, give it a shot.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

“I’ll find a hitman and keep him on speed dial in case things turn sour.” He winks.

“You’re the best. Hey, speaking of the best ... We need to discuss costumes. Obviously we’re zombies, but do we want to do a theme this year?” I rub my hands together because this is my absolute favorite part about Halloween.

Jared won’t meet my gaze, and taps his fingers along his empty glass, “Oh, uh. Jesus. This is awkward. Shit. Might as well just say it. I’m not going as a zombie this year.”

“What? Why?” I sit up straight.

He puts his hands together and smiles in that ooey-gooey way people in love always do. “Things are going really well with Logan.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Rae’s smile is genuine but I’m still stuck on the fact we won’t be zombies together. This is Halloween. The big party. We always coordinate our costumes and we always go as zombies. Always.

“He doesn’t want to zombie with us?” I can’t keep the hurt from my tone.

Jared shrugs. “We actually made plans to go as salt and pepper.”

“The rap duo?” I shake my head, even more confused because Jared never was one for nineties rap.

“No, the shakers.” He grins and picks the set off the table to depict their costume choice.

“Aww ... That’s cute.” Rae pats his arm.

“We think so.” He grins and I have to look away.

Okay, so Jared’s out. No big deal. At least I have Rae. I turn toward her. “So, what do you think? We could doWalking Deadagain or maybe something different?”

“Um, I mean, I guess I can do the zombie thing again if you want me to. I do owe you one after last weekend. It’s just, I was sort of thinking I’d do something different.”