“Devils!” we respond as a group. It’s so stupidly silly that I almost screw my face up distastefully. But Emory is a captain, and he must know how it feels to share one voice as a unit, because as embarrassing as it is, I feel it.
We’re one. And we have an epic prank to pull off.
If I thought my drama and the looming event would get me out of going to Aubrey’s house to pick out a dress, I was wrong. She waits patiently for me in the parking lot by her dark gray BMW. I only get in because she pushes Emory away when he tries to approach us.
“Girl time is for girls only,” she explains primly, opening her car door.
I watch her curiously when I settle into my seat. The way she holds herself. How she manages to ignore my brother, who’s glaring at us as we exit the parking lot. “You’re different,” I observe. “From his other girlfriends.”
“You mean Campbell?” She raises an eyebrow, nose scrunching up. “God, I hope so.”
My laugh sounds lighter than I feel. “Not a fan, huh?”
“She’s a fucking tyrant. Made everyone’s life miserable.” She adjusts the heat and points to the seat warmers. I flip mine on. “I don’t hold her against him, though. Emory’s spent the last few years trying to find his footing in a world of assholes. I mean, I guess we all have been, right?” She snorts. “Living in the shadow of Hamilton Bates and Campbell Clark isn’t easy. For the first time in years, I feel like I can breathe.”
I’m surprised. I didn’t know the popular kids resented them so much.
“You may not know this,” she goes on, “but most of your brother’s bad decisions have been made under the influence of impressing those people.”
“I do know. That’s why…” I run my hands nervously down my thighs, “it’s why he and Reyn stole the car that night. It’s probably what gave him the guts to do what he did with Skylar,” God, I’m still reconciling that one, “and the prank with Micha.”
“Trust me, we’ve talked about that, particularly Skylar. It’s just…” her nose wrinkles, “gross. Repulsive. And I want you to know I wouldn’t be with him if I didn’t believe he was truly sorry for it.” She glances over. “I’m sure he hasn’t told you this, but he did contact her to apologize directly.”
I gape at her, stunned. “No, I didn’t.” Wow.
She nods. “It’s almost as if being part of that toxic group was like being under the influence of a drug.”
Well.
That I get.
“But they’re gone and he’s really determined to run the new Devils in a different direction. Less asshole-ish. More tradition.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure he regrets inviting me to join.” It’s not like I wasn’t already aware that he didn’t want me to in the first place. That was all Reyn, and only because I’d blackmailed him.
“I disagree,” she says, turning into one of the more expensive neighborhoods in our area. The security guard at the gate waves us in. “Honestly, he’s liked having you involved in this. He told me himself that it was cool to have you around this year. He just worries so much.” She cuts her eyes to me. “I don’t think you know just how much.”
“I have an idea,” I mutter. “Did he tell you that he saw me and Reyn together?”
“Yeah.” She nods, squinting. “Look, I don’t care about you and Reyn. Actually, in a way, it makes total sense to me. Only the two of you know what it’s like to have gone through what you did.” She turns and heads the car up a long, twisting driveway. “And any idiot could see why you’re into him. He’s all sexy and cool and strong. A little mysterious. Very good at what he does.”
My cheeks heat. “Yeah, there’s all that.”
“I’m just telling you all that so you know,” she says, parking in front of a massive brick house, “you can talk to me, okay? I know I’m Emory’s girlfriend, but I can be your friend, too.” She cuts the car and looks at me, waiting for a response.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling awkward. Despite the fact I know she likes my brother and probably wants to get in good with him, the sentiment sounds sincere.
Later, when we’re in her room, I’m thinking that giving me this—a friend who doesn’t mind me being with Reyn—would probably accomplish the opposite