Page 24 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

It has me on edge and wondering if there’s something wrong with me. The two of them seem pretty close, and I’ve never quite felt like I fit with them. At first, I thought it was my own insecurities and anxieties getting in the way. But now? I’m beginning to wonder if I was right all along.

“So… Adam is taking you?” Rachel asks.

“Y-yeah. I mean, it was my idea, and I paid for the tickets with my tip money, but we’re going together.”

She reaches over and squeezes my arm. “That’ssosweet. You’re lucky to have a guy like him. I’m so happy for you.”

My unease grows. “Thanks.”

I sip my soda while Chloe steers the conversation in another direction. While her and Rachel talk, I glance around the arcade. We played a couple games, and then they got bored and wanted to chat, so we’re sitting in a booth while the guys keep playing.

“Hey, Wren, you like to read, right?” Rachel asks. “Chloe recently got into it again, and I was thinking about doing the same thing.”

“Oh! That’s cool. What are you—”

“Oh my god, we should start a book club!” Rachel exclaims.

“That could be fun. I have some books I think you guys would probably like,” I say. “I mean, as long as you’re both into fantasy?”

“I am,” Chloe says. “Or, at least I used to be when I was in high school. Can’t imagine why I wouldn’t be now.”

“Oh, which ones did you read? I wonder if I know any of them.” After she rattles off a few titles, and I grin. “Those were some of my favorites.”

“Wait,really?”She leans forward, her eyes lighting up. “I got in trouble for how late I stayed up reading them!”

I laugh. “Same here. My mom threatened to take away all my books.”

Rachel says something about going to the restroom, and then she slides out of the booth and disappears down a hallway.

Chloe watches her go, discomfort settling over her features. She squirms in her seat before refocusing on me. “So, um, anyway. Have you found any similar books to those? I just miss the vibe, you know?”

“Oh, god, yeah. I have an entire list. Here, I’ll text some titles to you.” I grab my phone, but seeing a picture of me and Adam on my lockscreen sets something off in the back of my mind. That feeling of unease only intensifies when I glance around the arcade and only see Chad and Rachel’s boyfriend. “Hey, did you see where Adam went?”

“Um.” Chloe gulps down the rest of her drink. When she sets her cup down, it looks like she’s gonna be sick.

“Chloe? Are you all right?”

“I can’t keep quiet any longer,” she blurts. Her eyes fill with a mix of pity and guilt. “I’m so sorry, Wren.”

Dread sits heavy in my stomach, and I clench my fists under the table. “What?”

But I already know. I think I’ve known for a while now. Just couldn’t admit it to myself.

“Rachel… Rachel and Adam are…” Chloe’s gaze falls to the table. “I was supposed to distract you by talking about books.”

It’s like her words knock the breath out of me. I was right. Rachelhasbeen acting weird, and so has Chloe. And Adam… I wish I was wrong about him, but I can’t deny it anymore.

“They’re probably making out in the maintenance closet right now,” Chloe mumbles, still avoiding my gaze. “It’s never locked.”

Wordlessly, I stand and make my way toward the back of the building. I feel like I’m moving through a dream, all the lights around me blurring and my thoughts turning fuzzy. An ache blooms in my chest, one that’s been there for months, just beneath the surface.

Now, nothing can stop it.

With a deep breath, I push open the door to the closet, and there are Adam and Rachel—doing alotmore than just making out.

“Shit! Wren, what’re you doing back here?” Adam pulls out of Rachel, stepping away and leaving her on the table she’s propped up on.

At least he’s wearing a condom.