“Which is why I think you should know what I overheard after you walked out here with Gina—between Asher and Ford,” I murmur, lowering my voice.
Her posture stiffens, and I put on my best concerned-friend expression. “What are you talking about?”
“Ford told Asher you’re just a fling. But don’t worry, I understand the appeal. I’ve been with Ford too.”
Harper snaps her head toward me, eyes wide. “What?”
“His macho personality really turns you on, but there’s not much depth beyond that. Trust me, you’re not missing out.”
Her arms cross defiantly over her chest. “You’ve slept with Asher and Ford?”
“Not at the same time. Although that definitely has its possibilities…”
And it really does. The thought of both of them, Asher’s calloused fingertips tracing my collarbone while Ford’s lips press against the nape of my neck. Their muscled bodies oneither side of me, a tangle of limbs and sheets, the scent of cologne and sweat mingling in the air. The power of having them both desperate for me, competing for my attention. I could definitely get on board with that idea.
“When did you sleep with Ford?”
“We went to prom together, remember? He wasn’t my first, but I’m pretty sure I was his. If I wasn’t, he definitely needed to learn a few skills, but it wasn’t the worst experience I’ve had.”
Harper shakes her head but remains silent. I can tell I’m getting under her skin. Perfect.
“Harp, when will you let go of this grudge? I’m sorry you got hurt, but I love Asher. And he loves me.”
She laughs bitterly. “This grudge? You’ve done everything to become a discount version of me, Kenzie. And you still can’t just be happy that you’ve won.”
“I have won, haven’t I?”
“I don’t care that you’re with Asher. Have him. I don’t want him anymore.”
That catches me off guard, and irritation bubbles up inside me. “You don’t? Seriously? You expect me to believe that?”
“I stopped wanting him when I found out he climbed into bed with someone I thought was my best friend.”
“You blame me?”
“I blame you both. The difference is, I don’t care about what you did as much as you want me to. You want him? You have him. I’m not fighting you for him.”
“You’re not?”
It feels like a trap, like she wants me to lower my defenses so she can swoop in and reclaim Asher.
“Losing Asher the way I did hurt. It really hurt. But it didn’t sting as much as what you did, Kenzie. I thought we were friends, but now I see it was one-sided. You were never my friend, and accepting that loss is harder than I expected.”
Harper walks away, and I stare after her. No, we’ve been rivals ever since I developed a crush on Greg Talbert in eighth grade, and he asked Harper to the dance. She’s just playing a game, and I refuse to let her win.
But she really doesn’t seem to care about Asher anymore. I glance at him across the room, where he’s leaning against the wall, his eyes still tracking Harper like a lost puppy. The stubble I’d found so sexy this morning now looks unkempt, and the way his T-shirt stretches across his chest—which used to make my stomach flutter—suddenly seems like he’s trying too hard.
When he runs his hand through his hair for the fifth time in as many minutes, I notice the bitten-down fingernails I’ve always overlooked. Somehow, in the harsh kitchen light, with Harper’s words still hanging in the air, he looks smaller. Diminished.
No, Kenzie, stop! Snap out of it. Harper just wants you to let your guard down. You will win. You have to.
But what am I even winning now?
Chapter 32
Ford
Every time I got close to Harper, she slipped away. If I tried to engage her in conversation, she would invent an excuse and leave without so much as a goodbye.
