Right. The plan
I stare at the messages until my screen goes dark.
She thinks this is working. Thinks Theo’s noticing her, thinks the fake relationship is achieving exactly what she wanted.
And it is. That’s the worst part.
Everything’s going according to plan. Hers. Mine. Isabelle’s.
Except plans have a way of collapsing when you forget they’re built on lies.
My phone buzzes again.
ISABELLE
The jersey was a nice touch
I shut off my phone and press my palms against my eyes.
Liam wants me to bring Wren to the cabin. Isabelle wants proof I’m closing the deal. Wren thinks this is about making Theo jealous. I’m caught in the middle, playing a game I’m starting to hate with a girl who doesn’t deserve any of it.
Reed’s voice echoes in my head,“You really think you can keep playing hero and villain at the same time?”
No.
But I don’t know how to stop.
16
FOCUS, NOT FIREWORKS (WREN)
Iwake to my phone vibrating across the desk like a hornet’s nest. Winter-gray light fills the room. The radiator ticks. Somewhere down the hall, someone laughs—residue from last night’s arena crowd still ringing in my head.
My phone buzzes again.
I grab it, squinting at the screen.
AUBREY
ARE YOU AWAKE
HELLOOOOOOO
Pick up pick up pick up
You wore his jersey
He scored
He POINTED AT YOU
Then tapped his chest like “for her” and the Dog Pound lost their collective mind
My body braces before mymind catches up.
WREN
What are you talking about?
