Luca snickers. “Ouch.”
I try to ignore him as I continue speaking to Everett, “I’ll be at the next game. I promise.”
“You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep and wound the poor chump’s self-esteem again,” Luca interjects.
Everett states, “She cares about me. You’ll always just be thechumpwho was a short-lived, unwanted phase in her life.”
Luca’s penetrating gape meets mine and I see the cruel intent that is rising to the surface. Before I can brace myself, he says, “Yet only one of us know how she tastes.”
Motherfucker. I’m going to slaughter him. But I can only see the pain in Everett’s expression. The betrayal and hurt—courtesy of the one and only vindictive asshole in the room. However, I played right into his hands. Again.
“Everett, please.” I don’t even know what else to say.
He keeps a fixed stare on Luca. “No, Ivy. I’m done. I’ve been here the entire time, and you let him get you on your back?”
I see the shift in Luca’s stance and tell him, “Don’t.”
He resists, but I’m not sure how long it’ll last. Thankfully, Everett is out of the bedroom and storming down the stairs as Ifollow behind him. We’re in the driveway when I call out, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” His hostility throws me off for a second as he spins around. “I tried, Ivy. I tried to wait until we were older, more mature for a relationship. But you’re ready to throw it all away for a fling.”
“Tell him.” The tone of Luca’s voice sends a chill down my spine. It’s too calm as he instructs me, “Tell him the truth.”
“Back the fuck off, man,” Everett shouts.
But Luca doesn’t relent on his crusade. “Admit exactly how you feel about your buddy here. Tell him if what you feel for him is more than friends. I dare you.”
I don’t think there’s been another moment where I’ve hated Luca more than I do in this instant. And there’s been some doozies. But he knows I have no choice but to obey him and in return, hurt Everett a little more. Because it is the truth and it won’t change. And now I have to confess it out loud. “You’re my best friend, Everett. I love you.” I pause, taking in a deep inhale, then say, “But only as a friend.”
You’d think I just punched him in the stomach with how he’s gawking at me. “You’ll regret this one day. And don’t come crying back to me after he gets what he wants and dumps you. I won’t be around to pick up the pieces.”
I watch as Everett gets in his truck and drives away. When I look back, I find a satisfied expression on Luca’s face. “I hate you. I truly do.”
“He’ll get over it. He needed to know the truth.”
Observing Luca, I understand there’s no way we’ll ever be anything more than a toxic pair used against the other. A dreadful joke that started out as a dare. And I’m done playing a role in the crazy circus.
“I’m tired.”
He starts walking back to his house. “Yes, bury your head in the sand. That’s what you do best when things get hard.”
I don’t react as I follow him inside; I don’t want to fight anymore.
Thankfully, he shuts up after we get back in his bedroom. He watches me as I crawl into bed and lie there. When he slides next to me, I don’t move. He’ll just get closer again. All I can do is abide my punishment until I’m free. And that time can’t come fast enough.
55
LUCA
I wake up, expecting her to still be curled up against me. But she’s gone. When I glance around the room, I note all her things are too. It’s like she was never here. The challenge for her to obey is over. Now, I have to conform to her wishes.
And as soon as I step into the bathroom, I realize she’s made them clear. My phone is on the counter with a tube of red lipstick on it. The same one I’m sure she used to write the message on the mirror.
I dare you.
I pick up the phone and read the directive from her. The one I have to obey.
Ivy: Stay away from me. Don’t call me. Don’t message me. Don’t even look at me for the next twenty-four hours. I motherfucking dare you.
