“Why do you suddenly care so much about the guy who stole your girlfriend?” I asked, fed up with this fake persona. And for what? For him to feel superior to my recent so-called rebellious ways?
“Because he’s dead, and you’re letting yourself be alone with guys who are most likely responsible for that.”
Well, I can’t exactly debunk that, can I?
I sat up, feeling uncomfortable talking to Nero when I’m literally lying down on the floor. “Can you just stop? You got out of there yourself just to look for me and scold me for not being there. Do you not see how hypocritical you’re being?”
“And do you not see how stupid you’re being?” He spat, and with those words, I have reached my tolerance of how he’s been treating me.
I couldn’t sit down for this, oh no. I jumped to my feet, silently hyping myself up and hoping to god my guys don’t intervene because, oh boy, am I fired up.
“Stupid?I’mbeing stupid?” My voice has never sounded this dangerous before, even though it was so shaky. Not from fear, but from how seething I was.
I used both hands as I pushed Nero full-force on his chest, and for once, I actually caught him off-guard as he stumbled a step back.
“You’re the one who’s fucking stupid because I told you what Andy did. I told you that I found things on her phone. That she faked the black eye. I told you. And what did you do? You left me when it mattered the most. When I needed you the most.”
I pushed him again, and it seemed this time he was more ready for it, but he still let me have that small win as he took another step back.
“When have I ever lied to you, Nero? And no, I’m not talking about little playful lies, or white lies. When have I ever lied to you about important things? Crucial things? I fucking lost my oldest friend because I couldn’t lie to you, keep looking you in the eye when I knew Andy cheated on you. Do you remember how even after I managed to get the courage to tell you, you still demanded evidence from me? So, I fucking did.”
Oh, I was fuming. And I couldn’t stop now.
“You’re the one who’s fucking stupid. Not me. And when you find out the truth? You’re going to feel stupid because you know you can’t blame this on miscommunication, because I told you and you just chose to believe her lies when that girl had already lied to you multiple times before. You’re just too blinded by her fucking face to realize that. You’re the one who’s fucking stupid for always—always—goddamn choosing her over me!”
I could see doubt flicker in his eyes. I could see the moment it hit him that maybe the truth he’s holding onto was not the truth. And with that little doubt that I saw him feel came a teeny tiny flicker of hope in my heart that maybe, just maybe, this time he would believe me.
But Nero Combs wouldn’t be the Nero Combs I’ve known for years now if he didn’t stay loyal to Andy.
“She promised on her life that she’s telling me the truth, C,” he said, his voice sounding so at a loss, but I couldn’t seem to care anymore. Because for the last time, he’s chosen.
And it’s still not me. It would never be me that Nero would choose.
I could hear the hallway getting busy again, and I figured the memorial was over. It was time to get to class.
I could hear Dex and Siege shuffling to their feet behind me, and not a couple seconds later, Dex’s hand was on my hip, gently tugging me as a signal for us to go and leave.
So, with one last look at Nero, I let him know my final thoughts on this matter.
Because I was done.
With Andy.
With him.
With our friendship.
“Believe her, if that’s what you want,” I mumbled, looking him dead straight in the eye. “But leave me the fuck alone, Nero.”
5
DEX
“Make sure to triple lock the door,” I hear Siege say from behind me while I was turning the manual lock in the place where Cosette and I spent many days looking for Siege when he got kidnapped.
We swung by after dropping Cosette off at her place to stash some weapons that we brought from the mansion. Cosette was very clear that she will not have more than two guns in her house, and those, we have to take with us here once his dad gets back. If they stay unused until we complete Exodus, then great, but we needed a little armory accessible to us that’s nearer than the mansion in Beaufort—just in case.
“You know, once we’re completely out of the organization, you’re going to have to stop bossing me around, right?” I asked Siege, continuing to provoke him with my smirk. “I’m older than you. Show some respect.”
