Page 55 of Palm South University: Season 3

“Oh, I think she’s getting ready for the Halloween party. Could you maybe—”

“NOW!” I roar, and she yelps, skittering off with the door open behind her.

A few other sisters pass concerned looks my way as they walk by, but eventually Skyler emerges, half-dressed in herBaywatchgear. She has her red one-piece on and half a face of makeup, her hair in a clip like she’d only begun to work on it.

Her brows pinch together when she sees me and she steps onto the porch with me, pulling the door closed behind her. “Bear? What’s going on?”

“You gave Clayton three-thousand dollars?”

The words spit from my mouth like venom, and Skyler’s face drains of color.

“Bear… listen, I just wanted to—”

“Help? Well, you should have fucking came to me first. He’s my fucking brother and I can take care of him.”

“I know you can. I never said you couldn’t.”

“Well, that’s what you fucking implied by going behind my back like that.”

She winces. “Come on, you know it wasn’t like that.”

“Wasn’t it?” I challenge. “God, Skyler, you’re so fucking selfish you can’t even see it when you’re in the wrong. There’s a reason you didn’t tell me, and it’s because youknewI’d be pissed. And now that you’re caught, all you can do is defend yourself. An apology wasn’t even on your radar, was it?”

Skyler swallows, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“You call yourself my best friend, but best friends don’t do this to each other.” I shake my head, looking at the girl I thought I knew for what feels like the first time. “You should have come to me.”

“I’m sorry,” she quivers, but I just hold my hands up to stop her.

“It’s too late for that now. Have fun at the party.”

Without another look in her direction, I storm off the porch, feeling more alone than ever before.