“Maybe,” he drawls, “you foundsomeoneto make it easy.”
“S-someone?”
This time, the pulse on his jaw lingers longer, turning all his features harsh, his eyes all violent. “Who is he?”
“Who’s who?”
“The asshole who keeps sniffing around you.”
“What asshole? What are you talking about?”
“At the school library.”
“At the school…” Then, “Are you… Are you talking about Evan?”
“Is that what his name is? Fucking Evan.”
“How do you… How do you know about Evan?” I ask, studying his face in return. When his nostrils flare and a muscle jumps on his cheek at ‘Evan,’ I continue, “Are you… Are you like,spyingon me? Is that how you know about my birthday cake and the party and… and Evan.”
Oh my God, I’m…
He’s...
He’s a freaking stalker. He’s a freaking criminal.
Bandit.
“Relax,” he drawls, probably reading how horrified I am on my face. “Your boyfriend has a big mouth when it comes to you and your mundane fucking life. And as for spying on you, I make sure to keep tabs on things that matter. And you do. To my best friend. Unfortunately. And it’s a good thing too, isn’t it? Because now I know.”
“You know what?” I snap.
“Why it’s too fucking soon.”
“And why is it too fucking soon, Reign?”
“It’s too fucking soon,Echo, because you’re stepping out on my best friend, aren’t you?”
Maybe if he’d said it in a different way, in a way not so hostile or in a way that doesn’t make it seem like he’s talking about himself. Like I’m stepping out onhimand not on his best friend, and that’s why he’s so freaking angry.
Then I probably wouldn’t have done what I did.
I probably wouldn’t have raised my arm, my palms wide open, so I could smack his face.
But I did and no, I don’t manage to.
Slap him I mean.
Because he stops me mid-strike.
My wrist being caught in a tight grip.
Hisgrip.
“How dare you?” My chest is heaving. “How fuckingdareyou? You’re an asshole.”
“And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Because it’s a bullshit question.” Before he can say anything else, I get up in his face and continue, “And where do you get off asking me questions? When you’re the one who’s always tried your best to take him away from me. Weren’t you the one who got him drunk at the Halloween party that one time? You were the one who set girls on him so he’d step out onme.”