Page 62 of Fueled Hate

“You’re welcome,” she says, giving me a smirk.

“Stop it.”

“What?” Her grin grows. “I didn’t even say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“Oh, come on. I haven’t gotten a chance to get any details since the latest development.”

“There’s not much to tell that you don’t already know.” Lie, but I can’t say some things to her without saying it all. “How’s Parker?”

“I don’t know.” She blows out a frustrated breath. “I haven’t seen him in forever.”

“I thought you stayed at his place.”

“Oh, yeah. I did. But you know, he’s never there for long. He’s gone most of the time for work.”

“He does have long shifts.” And normally, Willow doesn’t like staying at his place alone. It’s one of the reasons she wanted to get a place with me. “Has he had any time off?”

“No, not much.”

“That sucks.” Stop. Stop thinking it. Stop questioning your best friend and her boyfriend. I know both of them well enough to know there’s nothing sinister going on, whether Dylan wants to believe it or not. I’d never expected Kyle to be guilty either, but I could buy him being involved much easier than anyone else.

“Yep.” She slams her book closed, obviously having some trouble focusing too. “Are you going to the Dome tonight?”

“I don’t know.” I want to and I don’t, but I already know I’ll be there because Dylan will be. That’s another thing I won’t admit to him. But I have to be there now that I know about Noah. Even with his tough exterior, it can’t be easy on him to go there.

“Liar.”

The word penetrates my thoughts as I look to her, my heart hammering against my chest. Only she’s smiling because she doesn’t know how correct she is. “Yes. I’ll be there.”

“I figured that much out by the reigning champ standing in our kitchen this morning.”

Mention of Dylan and the kitchen causes me to shift in the chair. Opening my psych book, I try my best to remember what chapter we’re on. Damn it. Feeling her eyes on me, I look up to see Willow’s concerned expression.

“Just be careful, Sadie.”

“It’s nothing,” I lie, though she doesn’t buy it. “Really. You know I’m just getting out of a long relationship. I’m not ready for anything, especially with Dylan.”

“That’s a shame,” she says softly, empathy in her voice.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The ones we lie to ourselves about are the ones that hurt the worst.”

Biting my lip, I consider her answer. She has Parker. Dependable, reliable, always-there-to-catch-her Parker. I have balance-on-the-ledge-while-I-try-to-catch-my-footing Dylan. “You’re wrong, and Parker wouldn’t hurt you. He never has.”

Willow grabs her books and coffee, standing from the table as she mutters, “I wasn’t talking about Parker.”

Now I’m even more confused as I watch her walk away from the table. Her head lowers, her eyes study the floor. What did I miss? I’ve been so wrapped up in my own mind have I really missed something that big going on with my best friend? No. Her and Parker are perfect for each other. They’re the ones who give me hope that people can actually be better together. She has to be referring to someone before Parker. I hope.

Spending the remaining time staring unseeingly around the busy café, I get absolutely nothing accomplished before heading off to my next class. It’s generally painless as I get through the remainder of the day then walk out to the parking lot. I had a handle on myself, mostly, until I spot his car, precisely where I’d left it. It’s unnerving, particularly when I lie to myself and pretend that I hope he’s not at my apartment when I get back. At least I know Willow wasn’t lying to me, even if it’s hard to hear the truth sometimes.

34

Dylan

Something’s off. I’m not sure what, but something is going on with her. She didn’t argue with me about coming to the Dome, which is definitely out of character. It’s possible she actually wants to hang out with Willow, but she’s usually ready to argue just to drive me insane.