Page 52 of Running from Drac

Fuck. It has to be Pippa. There’s no other explanation for my mother pulling the worst possible cards for us.

“So basically, you pulled every negative card for me?”

She gives me a soft smile, shaking her head in response. “No, I did pullThe Starcard in one of your positions. That’s a good card. It means renewal and healing. But it only comes after a great loss. It doesn’t promise a fairytale ending, but it means there’s still a path forward for you two, I just don’t know how long after the tower crumbles that the star will start to shine on you two again.”

“No hope. Got it.”

“TheStarcard is all about hope, Eddie. I just don’t want you to ignore the warning signs. Please don’t shut yourself off to the light, even when it hurts to look at it. Sometimes it’s hard for us to look at things that uplift us when we’ve already been dragged through the mud and dirtied.”

“I think I’m done with my tarot reading,” I mumble, unable to shake the feeling that my mother is absolutely right. I knew this high I was riding wouldn’t last long, and this only proves it.

My mother reaches across the table and cups my cheek.

“Have faith, Eddie. If you truly love Amber and actually believe in your relationship, things will work out. Just remember to be open and honest with her.”

If she only knew how dishonest I’ve been. How one secret would shatter everything we’re working towards. The second Amber finds out about what happened with Pippa, the tower will fall, and the devastation my mother predicted will be the only thing I’ll have to keep me company. There’s no way in hell Amber will ever forgive me for fucking her best friend behind her back.

It doesn’t matter if we were broken up at the time.

Betrayal is betrayal,

I’ve laid down this fucked up foundation, and those ten swords she predicted are already carving up my backbone. It’s only a matter of time before they sever my relationship completely.

Chapter Seventeen

Amber

A whole week has passed since Eddie and I lost ourselves in the rain. It’s been a week of endless bliss, even with Pippa death glaring me from across the living room half the time. Honestly, she had a few reasons to hate me. I was rather braggy about my night of endless sex with Eddie, and the ring, I couldn’t wait to share it with Poppy the second I got home, flashing my mother’s familiar diamond to her with more pride than I ever have.

Poppy was ecstatic for me, but Pippa just sat there looking bored, glaring at my ring like it was made of venom.

I guess that’s why her sudden change of attitude this morning has me on edge. She’s actually whistling and smiling. Two things she hasn’t done in weeks. Especially towards me.

“Good morning,” she sing-songs, grabbing a jug of juice from the fridge. “Amber, would you like some orange juice?”

Staring up at her in shock, I question, “Is it poisoned?” because it’s the only explanation for her offering it to me without words dripped with disdain and hatred.

She giggles. “Of course not, silly. I just bought it. See?” She opens the cap for the first time, pouring the juice into a glass before handing it to me.

“This feels like a trick.”

A sly smile moves across her face as she takes a sip of her drink. “No trick. I’ve just realized what a colossal bitch I’ve been lately, and instead of tearing you down like I have been, I should be supporting you and Eddie more.”

The way Poppy looks at me is exactly how I look at her, dumbfounded, disturbed, and completely caught off guard.

“So, are you going to tell me about your wedding plans? What are the colors going to be? Can I pick out my maid of honor dress?”

“Oh,” I reply, shooting another panicked look at Poppy. “I kinda asked Poppy to be my maid of honor.”

She frowns, but then that smile is back, bigger and wider than the last. “You know what? That makes sense. Why would you want a bitch for your maid of honor? I sure wouldn’t. Can I at least be in your bridal party?”

“Of course. Eddie’s dad is going to be his best man, and Rich and Wesley will be his groomsman.”

“Oh, Poppy, you should definitely walk down that aisle next to Wesley,” she goads, knowing that Poppy hates him.

Poppy rolls her eyes. “Absolutely not. I’m walking with Eddie’s dad. Mallory is walking with Wesley. Poor girl.”

Pippa laughs maniacally. “When are you gonna give the poor guy a break, Poppy? He’s crazy about you. Everyone can see it but you.”