“Fucking cunt!” Grant snarls like a wild animal, but Marcus doesn’t let him get closer to her. Andrea’s eyes dart to me, a flicker of concern peeking through before she returns her glare to Grant.
“I suggest you all get going before I have a change of heart,” she taunts.
Grant immediately storms past in a slew of expletives. Marcus hesitates, glancing at the fuming cheer captain next to me before darting past Andrea in pursuit of his buddy, leaving Remy’s letter on the ground. I reach for it—
Jessica snatches it first.
An audible rip.
My.
Heart.
Screams.
Shredded pieces float to the ground.
A shadow covers me. “Until next time,Starlight.”
Her footsteps retreat, but there’s no relief. A strangled sound breaks through my teeth. The imprint of Grant’s hand around my neck is a bruising collar, joining the dull ache spreading through my abdomen. None of it compares to the agony of seeing my sunshine’s words torn to mangled bits.
The shadow returns—
I fall on my ass with a gasp.
“Easy, Pooh Bear, it’s just me,” Andrea murmurs, brown eyes shining as she squats in front of me. Panic swirls back to life in my chest. The reality of who witnessed this mess descends over me in sheets.
“You can’t tell Remy.”
Sorrow etches into her pointed features. She swallows hard, squeezing her eyes shut.
No, no, no. He can’t know. It’ll destroy him. He’ll be inconsolable. Irrational. Angry. He’s already struggling and I refuse to add to his suffering.
“Please,” I whisper, voice cracking.
Confliction wars in her eyes, her small hands fisted on her thighs.
Finally, she nods.
“Our secret,” she agrees. I sag back onto my elbows, rough, hot concrete digging into my skin. The adrenaline wears off, draping a blanket of exhaustion and emptiness over me. She extends a hand. I stare at it for a while before cautiously accepting it.
“On one condition,” she adds. Anxiety creeps up from behind my ribs. Lips quivering, she squeezes my hand gently. “You tell me if they bother you again.”
I nod.
“Swear it, Win,” she begs, a tear sneaking out the corner of her eye.
“I swear,” I lie.
27
Win
What do you want for dinner?
Remy: If I eat any more takeout, I’m not gonna fit in my clothes.
I can work with that.
