“He wasn’t lying when he said he’d be ready to swoop you up the second Declan made a mistake.”
My body vibrates with laughter, and I realize how big of a mistake I would’ve made if I had let all of this go because of a guy.
“Something like that,” I respond. “I guess Declan told him what happened, and he thought it was important for me to know what Declan did for me.”
“I’m sorry that I didn’t know about freshman year. If I would’ve known, there’s a lot of topics of conversation I never would’ve—”
“It’s not your fault.” I cut her off. “It was something I never talked about because I hated the way it made me feel. The only person I ever opened up to about it was… well, your brother.”
“What about Maia?”
“She never knew the full story. Just that I didn’t like Declan because of it.”
“That makes sense.”
What does she mean that makes sense?
“Maia showed up at Declan’s the Tuesday after the party. I’m honestly surprised he made it out alive.”
And to think, I’ve been dodging her calls, and she’s been fighting my war for me.
“And?”
“And they reached an understanding. He told her what happened, the full story, from what he could remember anyway. And I know it’s a lot easier to understand his part when you aren’t directly affected by it, but Maia wasn’t upset with him.”
“That’s why she’s been calling me nonstop. To give Declan a chance to explain everything.”
“I want you to know that no matter what happens, we don’t want to lose you. You’re just as much of our friend as Declan is. We love you. Whether you’re with Declan or not, you don’t lose us, okay?”
“Promise?”
“I promise. I don’t know if I could’ve survived this year without you.”
“You wouldn’t be seeing Alex if Tate and I weren’t there to talk sense into you,” I tease.
“We’re friends!” she argues. “I’m happy where we are right now.”
“There’s one thing I have to ask.”
“Okay.” Her voice is hesitant, even though she doesn’t know the question.
“Zeke said something to me before he left today, and I’ve been trying to make sense of it,” I begin. “He said that Declan always knew I was special and that Tanner went after me because he saw Declan’s interest and ran with it. What does he mean?”
Her mouth opens slightly, and she tilts her head like she’s trying to figure out a way to answer me withoutactuallyanswering me.
“Um.”
“Brin?”
“I may have lied to you when we met in the library. I mean, yes, I knew who you were because of Cam playing hockey with Declan, but I also knew who you were because Declan was interested in you when Cam first joined the travel hockey team.”
I laugh with my whole body. She’s joking, right?
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t know if I’d call it a crush, but he was drawn to you. I honestly think it was for the same reason then as it is now. You never cared that he played hockey. You never cared that he was this hotshot with a super-rich dad who also played hockey.”
“I feel like you and Zeke are fucking with me.”
