The Enemy - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,32

involuntary smile for a second. She may not have said it out loud, but if I had to guess, I'd say her real answer was me.

I'M STANDING OUTSIDE, SMOKING a cigarette, when Lennon comes out. She wraps her arms around herself as she walks over to me. I take a deep inhale, not knowing what to expect, and then watch as the smoke fills the air around me when I let it out.

“You need something?”

She sighs, giving in to whatever mental debate she was having. “A fresh start. We have to live together, at least until I leave for New York in the fall. I think it would be easier if we weren’t hating each other.”

Little does she know, I don’t hate her. I should, but I don’t.

“I don’t know. You did almost neuter me.”

She giggles behind a closed fist. “You kind of deserved it.”

A huff of laughter bubbles out. “Maybe a little. You’ve got one hell of a grip though.”

“My dad has made me take self-defense classes since I was nine.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.”

A bright smile appears. “So, are we good?”

I let her sweat it for a minute, and then chuckle and nod. “Yeah. We’re good.”

“Perfect, so then as your friend, can you do me a small favor?”

I should have known there was a catch. “Depends on what it is.”

“Take it easy on Kellan.” Her sickeningly sweet tone could cause cavities.

I snort. “That's not a small favor.”

She sighs and runs her fingers through her hair. “I just don't understand why you have to be such an ass to him. You two were really good friends when you were younger. If you'd just talk, clear the air, then maybe you two could get that back.”

Seriously? Who does this chick think she is, Dr. Phil?

“Listen, princess. That ship sailed eight years ago when he decided he was too good for us.”

She looks taken back. “But, he said that you got jealous and cut him out, and then turned Bryce and Jayden against him too.”

“That's what he told you?”

She nods.

“Unbelievable,” I scoff, shaking my head.

Without a second thought, I put the cigarette out with the bottom of my shoe and march into the house. Kellan is standing with Tanner and Oakley, talking about who knows what, and I go straight over and shove him. He stumbles back for a second before finding his footing.

“The fuck?” he shouts.

“Are you that fucking threatened that you had to go and lie?” I get up in his face, ignoring the way Oakley puts a hand on my chest to try to hold me back. “Were you that afraid that I was going to take her from you that you felt the need to paint me as the villain?”

“I don't know what the hell you're talking about.”

“Bullshit!” I roar. “You told her that we cut you out because I was jealous of you.”

“Seriously?” Bryce chimes in from across the room.

I shove my finger into Kellan's chest. “That wasn't at all how it went down. You got pissed because I kept beating you at competitions. You ghosted us. You threw away the fact that we were best friends since diapers, so don't you dare try pinning that shit on me.”

He knows he's stuck. He can't stick with his story. Not with Bryce and Jayden here to back me up and tell her what really happened. So instead, he squares his shoulders.

“Scream at me all you want. I'll do whatever it takes to keep that girl.”

I scoff in disbelief. “Yeah, everything except be fucking faithful. Banging Skye while Lennon is asleep down the hall is low, even for you.”

Kellan's eyes double in size, and I don't know why until a soft, yet broken, voice echoes through the now-silent room.

“What?”

11

LENNON

My eyes are locked on Kellan, who only continues to stare at Cade. Everyone in the room is deathly quiet, making it so I can hear the blood rushing through my head. I'm feeling so many different emotions I can't even comprehend them all. My brows furrow as Cade turns around with shock on his face. Clearly, I wasn't meant to hear that.

“Kellan?” I breathe. “Is it true?”

He runs his fingers through his hair and laughs nervously. “What? Of course it's not. I told you, he'd do anything to get to me.”

His tone is giving him away, and I turn to the counterpart in this. “Skye?”

She looks like she's on the verge of tears. “I'm so sorry, Lennon. I never meant for it to happen.”

I let out a short breath