It would have been so easy to go to her, to corner her into talking to me. But what the fuck would I say? Besides, the place was swarming with kids from school and DA.
If Harleigh felt their curious stares, their lingering glances as they recognized her standing there, alone, she didn’t react. In fact, she was unnaturally still, staring off into the distance as if something had her full and undivided attention.
“Crazy bitch alert, two o’clock,” one of the guys said, and I swung around just in time to see Cherri arrive at our group.
Shit.
If she saw Harleigh…
It wouldn’t end well for anyone.
“Nix,” she clipped out, and I flashed her one of my trademark smirks.
“Looking good, Cher.”
She arched a thin brow, folding her arms over her chest. “You’ve changed your tune.”
“Come on, don’t be like that.” I moved around her, dragging her attention with me, and away from the direction Harleigh was standing.
Zane cast me a strange look and I shook my head slightly, hoping he would realize my plan.
“Let me guess, your precious little birdie decided you weren’t good enough after all.” The words were full of venom and fire.
“It’s not like that between us,” I said, my chest tightening at the truth of the words.
Cherri made a derisive sound in her throat and glanced away, dismissing me.
“Look, I was an asshole—”
“Major asshole.” She pinned me with a hard look. “But maybe I’ll let you make it up to me later. If you’re lucky.” Reaching for my t-shirt, she trailed a finger up my chest.
Jesus, she made it too fucking easy.
Zane’s heavy stare burned into my back, but when I looked over it wasn’t Zane watching me at all.
Time seemed to stop as my eyes collided with Harleigh. Her lips parted as she inhaled a sharp breath, one I felt down to the pit of my stomach. Hurt flashed in her green eyes for a second but she quickly masked it with anger.
“What are—”
I stepped closer to Cherri, breaking the connection with Harleigh, the loss like a physical pain inside me. “Ride the Ferris Wheel with me?” The words were forced but she didn’t notice.
“Come on, Nix, you know I don’t like that one.”
“Scared?” I challenged, knowing she would take the bait. I needed to get her away from Harleigh, as far away as possible.
“Fine. But I get to choose the next ride and you can’t bail out.”
“Fine.” Another smirk. Another false promise.
But I’d do it. I’d do it if it kept Harleigh out of Cherri’s warpath.
“Come on then.” She grabbed my hand in a gross display of ownership. But I shoved my disgust down to that place I reserved for all the bullshit in my life.
I was hardly surprised when my cell phone vibrated. Digging it out of my pocket, I read my text from Zane.
Zane: What the fuck are you doing?
I texted him back, careful not to let Cherri see.