Page 11 of Snowed

“Nothing, and I don’t have an ex,” he muttered.

“Well, now I’m really confused. You don’t have an ex.” I crossed my arms. “So then what’s the problem? Incidentally, I’m not buying that. Everyone has an ex.”

“I’ve only had one serious relationship.”

“She’s not your current girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Then she’s your ex.”

“Can we please drop it?” His expression was sincere, his eyes pleading.

Whatever had happened between Cade and his ex, it was apparently tearing him up inside right now. Though I was quite tempted to prod some more, something told me not to push.

“You know what?” I slammed the card on the table. “I’m about to prove once and for all that I have bigger balls than you.”

“How?”

I leaned in and said, “Steal.”

His eyes widened. “You’re gonna steal this dare from me?”

“Well, you made that stupid rule. This is my first of two steal allowances.” I smiled. “And believe me, texting my ex is just about the most mortifying thing I could be doing right now.”

Cade arched a brow. “Why is that?”

“Because he’s getting married to my friend.”

“What?”

“It gets worse.” I sighed, feeling my cheeks burn. “The wedding…is on Christmas Eve.”

“That’s in a few days,” he pointed out.

“Yep.” I chuckled. “It gets even worse.”

“Damn. How?”

“I was invited to the wedding.”

“They had the nerve to invite you?”

“Yeah, and I had the nerve to accept!”

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “You’re going?”

“They’re both under the delusion that I’m fine with it. Truth be told, he and I were broken up when he started seeing her. But I was still in love with him. And it still fucking hurts.”

“Damn.” Cade frowned. “I’m sorry, Daria. I don’t know who to despise more—him or this woman who was supposed to be your friend.”

“It is what it is.”

“Don’t text that asshole on my account.”

I hiccupped. “I think it might be fun, actually. Ruffle his feathers a little before the wedding.”

“Well, I’m not gonna stop you.” He laughed. “Heck, I’ll go pop the fucking popcorn.”