“She’s completely insane,” I tell Lyric and Char, throwing my hands up in frustration as I pace Charlotte’s living room, the two of them tracking my movements from the couch. “She acted like nothing happened. Like she was avictim.”
“Are you really all that surprised, though?” Char asks. “You didn’t actually expect her to own up to what she did?”
“I mean, considering I witnessed it firsthand, yeah, kind of.” I huff. “There is something seriously wrong with her.”
“Have you talked to Macallan about it?” Lyric chimes in softly.
“No,” I bite too harshly. “Why would I?”
“Because he’s the reason for her coo-coo pants,” Charlotte says like it should be so obvious.
“So...”
“So... Wasn’t it him I saw you with yesterday? You two seemed pretty chummy.”
“We did not.” I balk at her insinuation.
“Oh, you definitely did.” She smiles, seeming to see right through me.
“What are you trying to imply?”
“I’m not implying anything. Just saying, you werehaving breakfast with the man. It would seem you’re at least on good enough terms to fill him in that his crazy stalker has officially gone off the rails.”
“I think that happened long before yesterday.” I blow out a hard breath, plopping down in the chair sitting catty-corner from my two best friends.
“Wait, you went out with Macallan?” Lyric seems to have just caught on to what Char was saying.
“We grabbed a bite to eat after we left the police station. It was no big deal.”
“It was most certainly a big deal,” Char tells her like I’m not even here. “You should have seen the way those two stared at each other from across the table. Looked like they had half a mind to strip bare and fuck right there on top of the table for everyone to see. Talk about tension. Whew.” She openly fans herself.
“You’re delusional.”
“I think out of the two of us, you’re the delusional one. We all know how you feel about him, Mais.”
“What are you talking about?” I play dumb, refusing to admit anything, despite the fact that these two women know me better than I know myself most days.
“That you pretend to hate him because it’s easier than admitting that you have fallen for him and he hurt you.”
“Fallen for him?” I bark out a laugh like it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I only wish that were actually true. “Do you hear this?” I ask Lyric directly.
“I think maybe she’s right, Mais,” Lyric says apologetically.
“Not you too.” I groan, scrubbing my hands over my face.
“It’s okay to have feelings for him,” she offers.
“I do not have feelings for him! I can’t stand him!”
“Then why are you getting so upset?” Char smirks like she’s got me right where she wants me. “Just admit it and we can move on.”
“I will do no such thing.” I hiss.
“Mais, we’re your best friends. You can tell us anything. No judgment,” Lyric reassures, soft eyes almost pleading with me.
They don’t get it. I can’t. I can’t entertain the idea that I feel anything for this man other than hatred because if I do, that would mean admitting it to myself, and I’m not ready to do that. Not yet. Not after everything.
“He told you that he pushed you away to protect you from Lana. If you ask me, that’s extremely romantic... In a twisted sort of way.” Char grins.
