I don’t like the way she says my name. Too smooth. Toosweet.
Harper sets her fork down with a dullclink, and I swear I feel the temperature drop.
“Oh my god, you guys! Hey,” she singsongs to the rest of the group. “I didn’t see you there.”
“ ’Sup,” Deshaun replies, stuffing his face with a frosted cupcake.
Maddie shifts her weight, her eyes darting from face to face around the table before locking on mine.
I can feel everyone waiting, collectively holding their breath. Even Harper’s head lifts a little, her attention on Maddie, glancing between us, her expression tight, mouth turned down in the biggest frown.
“Did youneedsomething, Maddie?” Macy finally asks, the curiosity killing us all. “What brings you to our side of the cafeteria?”
Maddie bounces on her toes and claps her hand, braids jiggling. “You know how this morning on our ride, I told you I waswaitingfor someonedecentto ask me to prom? Well.” She pauses dramatically, keeping us on pins and needles. “I’m givingyouthe opportunity to take me.”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Marcus whispers loud enough that the entire table can hear. “This cannot be happening right now.”
Oh, but it is happening—and it’s horrible.
My stomach twists at her arrogant words. She doesn’t even bother to let the offer sink in before continuing, arm extended in front of her so she can inspect her long fingernails.
“Forget that I said no when you asked me on a date; I see how hard you’ve been working on, like, decorations and giving so much of your time volunteering,” she says. “It’s cute. Like,superadorable. And I think if you’ve put that much work in, you deserve to reap the benefits. So…”
She smiles at me, and it’s like a hundred light bulbs flashing. “What do you think? Want to go to prom with someone who actually knows how to have a good time?”
Chapter 29
Harper
I must be dreaming.
Maddie didnotjust ask Easton to prom before he had a chance to ask me.
Shecouldn’thave.
She DOESN’T EVEN LIKE HIM.
But there she is, batting her lashes, glowing with bronzer like this is some grand romantic gesture—as if she’shandpickinghim as the lucky guy to take her.
I deflate, my shoulders dropping as the fight drains out of me.
What can I evendo?
I can’t claim him.
I can’t object.
I can’t tell them we had a pact. That he owes me because Iblackmailedhim.
So I just stare at my tray, appetite gone, fingers tightening around my fork as the table watches the train wreck unfold.
It’s embarrassing how much this hurts.
And the worst part?
I can’t do anything but sit here and watch.
Chapter 30
