Page 25 of The Deception You Weave

"It's good," Luca says, making a point of dropping his eyes down her body.

Ella squirms under his attention and stares down at the table.

When Luca's eyes catch mine, he winks and shakes his head.

"Evil," I mouth to him but he just shrugs.

"So… first game of the season on Saturday. You guys ready?"

"Puh-lease," Leon scoffs. "We're always ready."

"Ah, I forgot about the Dunn egos," I deadpan.

They both look at me with a smile, but I hear the unspoken words between them. They're now down a wide receiver, and despite how much they both hate him, they both know he's the best one to be standing up there with the pair of them. Another reason they hate him. They need him.

Thankfully, talk of football and the upcoming season distracts everyone from the elephant in the room.

"You busy tonight?" Ella asks when Leon goes to order us more coffee.

"Just studying."

"Good, we're going out."

"Oh?"

"Violet won’t stop rattling on about that new Zac Efron film. Thought we could go together. So dinner and a movie?"

"Sounds like a great date."

"Plus, Thursday we’re hitting the mall for dresses for Saturday night. We need to look hot to celebrate the guys’ win.”

“Hell yes you do,” Luca agrees, his eyes zeroing in on mine.

"Sounds awesome," I say honestly. I need this, something normal to take my mind off every part of my life right now that is far from it.

6

Kane

"You gonna spend the night out here?" Ellis asks, looking over at where I'm sitting unmoving in his passenger seat outside the house later that afternoon.

I glance at the front door, it feels like it's a million miles away.

I'm fucking wiped. I knew going to class today was a bad idea, but nothing was going to keep me away. Even the pain I'm now in.

"I might," I admit. Right now, it seems like the easiest option.

"So now you're willing to admit you're in pain," he mutters.

"What do you want? You want me to say you were right and I should have listened?"

"It's a start." He climbs from the car and slams the door behind him.

I expect him to leave me there, but I should know better because Ellis isn't Ezra or Devin, he's softer.

"Come on then, asshole," he demands after ripping open my door and reaching in for me.

"I'm fine. I can do it."