Page 15 of Skye's Fall

“Hey, this jam is fucking fantastic,” Jimmy exclaims.

“Thank you. Family recipe. At the end of the night, you all can take a jar with you,” Ever smiles at him.

“Thank you,” Snow says quietly.

“You guys alright?” Memphis asks me and jerks his head toward Skye.

“Never.” I don’t elaborate.

“Dude, she’s over the moon for you,” Memphis says.

“She hates me, I hate her.”

“Strong words. You know you care for her. Stop lying to yourself.”

“How’s my dog?” I change the subject. I seem to be good at that. Something I’m finally good at— changing subjects.

“Memphis is fattening him up,” Ever winks at me.

“What the hell?”

“She’s kidding. He is fine. Spoiled.”

“Thanks again,” I tell him honestly. The last month has been shit. And without Memphis and Ever, I have no idea where I would be. Or where Buddy would be.

“Maybe you need to let up on the Skye hating for a bit.” Memphis knocks my shoulder and walks off toward Dayton’s table.

“Linc, sometimes things don’t always go the way we want them to, but they always work out the way they’re supposed to in the end. I think you need to give fate a chance.” Ever just smiles at me and squeezes my wrist. I have no idea what she means, but the words resonate with me.

Chapter Eleven

Skye

Snow and Mallory are nice girls and I enjoy chatting with them as we get something to eat. Mallory is a home decorator, and has even been featured in magazines. And Snow is a ballet dancer. I can see that in her, the way she walks and holds herself. I also see a lot of Ever in her, the Ever I bullied. She’s quiet, reserved, hardly looks anyone in the eye. I feel like she has a dark past, but I’m not one to judge.

“Haven’t seen any cameras yet,” Mallory chimes and I hum in agreeance.

“Maybe they’re still with the others. But where are the other couples?”

“I think I saw another tent that had their names on it when I went to get a water,” Snow says as we sit back at our tables.

In a show of good faith, I hand Lincoln a beer and a water. He just grunts. Guess that’s better than nothing.

“Guess we aren’t that exciting,” Mallory jokes.

“I’m surprised since Skye is all kinds of drama,” the girl with Dayton sneers.

“No one asked you,” Mallory retorts.

“You should ask me. I know all about Skye and her shit. She shouldn’t even be here.”

“Maybe you’re the drama,” Mallory retorts.

Shelley just tosses her hair over her shoulder and ignores us. Fine by me.

“I was all drama,” I say softly and Linc snorts. I throw him a glare as I hand another cup of cider out.

“Past is the past, Skye. Don’t let her get to you,” Mallory replies.