“Yes, I know—” He stops mid-sentence and pops up from his seat. “That cocksucker.”
We all follow his gaze to where my brother is leaning in, whispering something to Bethany that has her laughing out loud.
Amusement flickers in Nate’s eyes as he watches Leo fume.
“You snooze, you lose,” I tease, laughing when he shoots me a mock-annoyed look. “Cunningham’s always come out on top.” I flex my bicep to sweeten my jab.
“You Cunninghams are a pain in my tight ass,” he mutters, making a show of his very defined butt.
Nate casually puts a hand over my eyes.
“Hey. I’m back.” Addie plops down, and I push Nate’s possessive hand off me.
She hands me a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and when I take a sip, my eyes burst at the unexpected flavors. “Mint hot chocolate?”
She grins. “Delicious, right?”
I take another sip, sighing in contentment. “I’m addicted already. Thank you.”
While Nate’s attention is on perfecting my s’more—I can never seem to get it burned just right—I turn toward Addie and hand her a taped-up piece of tissue paper.
I only had one box and knew the glass piece needed protection, just in case I dropped it.
“What’s this?” She opens it slowly, eyes widening when she sees the bracelet.
“They aren’t glass. I’m not skilled enough yet to make a whole bracelet.” I hold up my wrist, showing her mine. “I made matching bracelets with clay beads I baked and sealed.”
She thrusts her arm out. “Oh my god. Put it on me right now.” Laughing, I fasten the bracelet around her wrist. “I love, love, love it. Thank you. You made all these beads yourself?”
“Yup. Each one. I picked colors I thought we’d both like and added some gold foiling on some.”
She leans over and hugs me hard. “Thank you. I love my bestie bracelet.”
The warmth of her hug and the casual way she announces that we’re besties are enough to fill me with unexpected waves of emotion.
My eyes fill with tears instantly.
Addie pulls back, her face alarmed. “Why are you crying?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never had a best friend before.”
Plenty of girls from church, school, and even some of Mason’s friends have become mine. But I’ve never truly felt like I fit in.
Never had what Ads and I have.
She grabs me again, hugging me even tighter. “Well, good. You only need one bestie.”
A sharp burst of laughter from across the fire catches my attention, and I know they’re talking about me.
“Don’t pay attention to those catty bitches, Maddie,” Addie sighs, shaking her head in disgust.
I force a fake smile. “You called me Maddie.”
“Temporarily trying to make you feel better.”
When I glance over, I find all the Boyar girls smirking in our direction—a self-given name after their fancy Connecticut boarding school.Howlame.
“White trash” and “poor Nate” are whispered, and before I can react, Addie’s up, rounding the fire pit like a girl on a mission.
