‘Since you were best friends, she knew about us. About our history.’ I pause. ‘About how you felt.’
Her hands fall into her lap as she stills. ‘You never told me.’
‘I didn’t want to cause any drama. I shut it down, and she never tried anything again. I never would have expected her to do what she did with Dylan, even though I didn’t like her much.’
‘I feel like I didn’t even know her at all,’ Anya whispers, shaking her head and looking perplexed.
‘She was envious of you.’
Anya scoffs. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘It was obvious to everyone but you, Blush.’
‘What on earth would she be jealous of?’
‘Your beauty, your intelligence, everything that you have and she doesn’t.’ I shrug.
‘My relationship with you,’ she murmurs, her gaze connecting with mine.
I nod. ‘And that. Pieces are falling together in your mind, aren’t they?’
Anya pulls her hand back, covering her face. ‘Wow. I must be super self-absorbed to have never noticed any of this. MaybeI’mthe problem.’
‘No,’ I assure her. ‘Trust me, you’re not.’
‘Thinking about any of this makes my head hurt,’ she confesses. ‘Tell me some good news. Something positive.’
‘Okay,’ I say, sitting a little straighter. ‘No one knows this. Not even Zay.’
Anya looks at me with growing interest. ‘Okay ...’
‘Coach wants me to be captain. They haven’t replaced Will since he graduated.’
‘Oh my God!’ A smile breaks out across her face, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I love her smile. ‘That’s incredible, Mase. Especially since you just joined.’
‘Well, that’s what I’m concerned about. There are guys on the team that have been around a lot longer than me, and I don’t think they’ll appreciate me swooping in and claiming the title.’
‘Well, it’s not their decision. The coach obviously values your strength – not only as a player, but as a leader. That’s a really amazing achievement, Mase. Forget about what the others might think. This is foryou. You’re always the best player on any team you’re on. You deserve this.’
There she is. The girl from my memories. The one who has an unwavering belief in me and my dreams. I always feared that she put me on too high a pedestal, but in moments like this, I truly appreciate her faith in me. Despite everything else that’s happened, that hasn’t changed. The way she is smiling at me right now makes all the worries and concerns I have about the promotion fade away.
‘Thanks, Blush. You’ve just made me feel a lot better about it all.’
‘When are you going to tell Zay?’ she questions, a loose strand of hair falling across her face. My hand twitches with the urge to reach over and push it back, just to have an excuse to get closer to her. She pushes it out of her eyes and leans back before I get a chance to act on the impulse.
‘I don’t know. I wasn’t sure what to do. I hope he isn’t going to be annoyed that I was asked.’
‘He would be happy for you, Mase.’
‘He works so hard. If I turn it down, what if they offer it to him? He would be so happy for the chance.’
Anya’s face softens, and she looks at me as if she’s truly seeing me for the first time in a long time.
‘It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell so hard for you,’ she whispers, and her eyes have a deep, sad look in them that I don’t understand. My heart jerks in my chest at her words.Fell. Past tense.‘He doesn’t work harder than you; he works hard to be your equal. You challenge him. Honestly, you’re probably the best thing to ever happen to him in that regard. He would be far too complacent if he didn’t have you making him rise to his full potential. He knows this. He would be so happy for you, Mase. He would be shattered that you think that he wouldn’t be.’
Her words hit me hard, and I realise she’s right. Zayden would be happy for me, just like I would be happy for him. When it comes to us, there’s no competition. Sure, we always have a playful rivalry going on, but not when it truly matters. Zayden might not be my blood, but he is family to me, and I’m disappointed in myself for thinking he wouldn’t have my back on this.
‘You’re right.’ I nod. ‘I needed that reminder.’
