He dangles my keys. “I’ll bring your car in a bit.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Need anything before I go?”
“No.” I pause. “I didn’t sleep with Jake. He kissed me and I pushed him away.”
“I believe you,” he says sincerely, then leaves the room.
When I hear the roar of his engine, the waterworks burst free. I curl into a fetal position and cry until my throat’s sore. Somehow, Victoria turned Maverick against me. Why on earth would he listen to her?He should’ve come to me. I thought he changed, but it was all a lie.
He’ll always be a racist prick. I’m lucky I learned this sooner rather than later. Graduation is six months away, till then I’m prepared to fight every battle head-on.
Those motherfuckers won’t get the best of me.
There’s more traffic than usual on the road due to residents bustling around to finalize preparations for Christmas, making my already irritable mood worse. I prefer to be in bed, but Nix asked me to come over so we can talk in person.
The last forty-eight hours have been hell. Thoughts of Cocoa bombarded me constantly despite her betrayal. One second, I want to fuck her senseless, then in the next, choke the life out of her. My emotions are a jumbled mess.
I’ve stopped myself from going to her house at least a dozen times because I’m afraid of what might happen. I don’t trust myself not to hurt her. On the other hand, I absolutely plan to do some damage to Jake. The fucker is on my radar.
I just haven’t decided on a course of action yet. I park in Nix’s driveway, surprised to find Dee’s car there. We had a huge falling-out on Friday night and haven’t spoken since. I make my way to the front door and press the doorbell.
Robyn lets me in, and I head upstairs to Nix’s bedroom. He and Dee lounge on the futon, playing some violent video game.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” Dee barks, springing to his feet.
“The three of us need to have a civilized conversation,” Nix replies.
Dee narrows his eyes accusingly. “You set me up.”
“Yeah, I did,” Nix admits, placing the controller next to him. “We’re best friends.”
“I have nothing to say to him,” Dee snarls.
“Likewise,” I retort.
“You’re a heartless fucker, Maverick,” Dee grits out, clenching his fists.
“Cocoa’s a fucking slut and got what she deserved,” I sneer.
We storm towards each other at the same time, ready to throw hands, but Nix quickly situates himself between us.
“Whoa, whoa. Kayla is right down the hall,” he hisses. “Both of you chill.”
“Cocoa said she didn’t fuck Jake and I believe her!” Dee shouts.
“Keep your voice down,” Nix says.
“I saw the pictures with my own fucking eyes.” I slice my hand through the air. “They were clear as day.”
“Pictures shown to you by Victoria.” He jabs his index finger against his forehead angrily. “Use your goddamn brain. She’d do anything to break y’all up.”
“Dee has a point.” Nix rubs his chin thoughtfully, eyebrows furrowing. “How many pictures were there?”
“Three, four,” I inform him.
“You have no clue what happened before or after those pictures were taken,” Dee snaps, shooting daggers at me.
