Page 51

Can one of your friends confirm nothing has happened to you? Michael, maybe?

My heart pangs. Without knowing it, Dad hit me where it hurts the most. I grit my teeth as I reply.

Me:

Asher can. Can you please pick me up now?

Dad:

Be there in fifteen

Me:

You’re the best

I slip my phone back in my purse and peer at Asher. “My dad will be here in fifteen minutes. I need to find Cade and apologize for disappearing on him.”

“Let’s go.” Ash pushes himself off the wall and opens the door for me. “However you wanna explain your absence, I’ll back you up.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I can handle it. Don’t worry.”

“Suit yourself, sweet Isla.” He winks at me.

We walk down the hallway in silence. He stays close, his shoulder brushing mine occasionally. When we make it back to the gym, we find Cade pacing in front of the doors, his hands fisted at his sides.

As we approach, he snaps up straight and locks eyes with me.

“Thank God. I was worried sick something happened to you.” He rushes to me and grasps my hands. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I peer over at Asher, who is still at my side, then focus on Cade again. “Can we talk? Somewhere private?”

His face lights up with a smile. “Of course.”

With my hand still in his, he leads me away from the gym doors. Asher watches us leave, rooted to the spot. I don’t know if he’ll keep his promise, but I really hope he does. I’ll be gone soon, and it’ll be so much better if my best friend never knows I liked him.

Cade stops when we’re near the library—far away from where I saw Michael with Sienna, thank God.

At the thought, my heart clenches, making me press my palm to my chest.

“Where did you disappear to?” Cade tilts his head, forehead creased with concern.

“I went to the bathroom, and then…I texted my dad.” I lick my lips and force myself to hold his gaze. “I’m going home, Cade. He’s picking me up in a few minutes.”

“What? But we haven’t even been here an hour, and you’ve been gone for a good chunk of that time. What happened?”

“I’m tired, and all my yawning has made my eyes tear up, and I’ve ruined my makeup.” I snag his hand and give it a squeeze. “You’ve been such a good friend to me, but I think it was a bad idea for me to come here with you. You should be out there dancing with someone you like⁠—”

He opens his mouth, ready to intervene, but I go on before he can.

“With someone who likes you back. And that’s not me.”

“Wow. I-I don’t know what to say.” He takes a step back, blinking rapidly. “And I don’t understand. We get along so well, and I really thought you liked me. Maybe not as much as you like Thompson⁠—”

I bristle. “I don’t like Michael.”

“I don’t like it when you lie to me.” Cade frowns.

I rear back, frowning too. “I’m not lying.”