dying,” I say gently as we walk to my third hour. She doesn’t have this class with me, but she already made it clear that we’re spending every free moment catching up on “girl talk.”
“Sorry.” She winces slightly. “It’s just…you didn’t answer my texts, and I was worried…” She trails off once more, scratching absently at the inside of her wrist. “It’s still crazy that Emmett moved schools, isn’t it? He didn’t even say goodbye.”
The familiar pinpricks of guilt erupt in my stomach. After a long conversation, Karsyn and I decided that we’ll keep the truth about my powers a secret. Mariabella knowing the truth will only put her in more danger, and we both care too much about her for that. That doesn’t mean that I don’t feel immense, agonizing guilt over my decision. I want to tell Mariabella everything because I trust her more than anyone else in my life, only second to the Devils. She’s my best friend, and her heart is pure. Unblemished.
And I intend to keep it that way.
Besides, the less she knows about Emmett, the better. They were friends once upon a time, and I know the truth of what he did to me would destroy her.
“You texted me before…? About having something you wanted to talk to me about?” I press. I’ve been dying all day ever since I got that cryptic message. I thought she would come out and say it, but she’s been tight-lipped, focusing on me instead. But I can see it eating away at her, clawing at her insides until it tears free of her skin.
“I…” A delicate blush detonates in her face. “I told my parents.”
I stop walking and turn to gape at her. “You what?”
“I told my parents about…me. The truth.” The blush still remains, but this time, she’s smiling. A wide, genuine smile, one that makes every guy in the vicinity do a second glance. I’ve never seen my friend look so radiant.
“And I’m taking it that it went well?” My eyes water with happy tears as she nods her head sheepishly.
“Dad was a little upset about it at first, but only because I kept it a secret for so long. Mom said…” She snorts. “Mom said that she always knew. That she found my collection of Victoria’s Secret catalogues when I was in middle school.”
I pull my best friend into a tight hug and squeeze the life out of her.
“I’m so fucking happy for you,” I whisper sincerely, sniffling.
“Me, too. I mean, I’m happy for myself.” She laughs weakly against my shoulder before pulling away and attempting to collect herself. “Now stop crying. You look like shit,” she admonishes, and I can’t help but snort. “But there was one other thing I wanted to tell you…”
“Don’t leave me in suspense, woman. What is it?” I teasingly shake her shoulders as her blush returns with a vengeance.
“You remember that cheerleader Brittany?”
“Oh my god! Oh my god!” I squeal excitedly, jumping up and down and clapping my hands. She shushes me in embarrassment, looking in both directions to ensure that no one’s in hearing distance.
“Calm down, you big weirdo,” she says. “It was just a date.”
“Just a fucking date?” I cock my hip out to the side and level her with my no-nonsense glare. “You better not be holding out on me—”
“And we kissed,” she blurts, once more glancing around. “And…other stuff. Naked stuff. No offense, Peony, but she has bigger boobs than you. And her nipples taste like candy.”
“You sound as if you’re comparing Peony’s nipples to this Brittany chick’s,” Karsyn says as he moves to stand beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Are you trying to make me jealous?” The smile fades from Mari’s face as she glares up at him.
“Karsyn,” she says stiffly, and I can see that her reaction hurts him. If what they told me is true, they were once best friends. I hate that I drove a wedge between them, especially when they’re two of my favorite people.
But all I can do is be here for them. They’ll come back to each other in time. It might not be today. It might not even be tomorrow. But I have no doubt that Mariabella will forgive him, just as I have.
Hoping to lighten the mood, I jab my elbow into Karsyn’s stomach. “Thinking kinky thoughts again, Alder?”
“About your nipples?” He nips at my ear with a playfulness I usually only see in Cassian. “Always.”