I flicked a look at the girls, who were following the back and forth like a volleyball game. “Have you been listening to my fans?”
Erin’s eyebrows shot up. Her friends gasped, giving her nervous looks.
Peach got redder in the face.
Ryan looked from me to Kirk, his mouth curving down in a frown.
“According to them, you’ve been all over my man since you arrived on the scene. You’re like a leech, taking him away from his friends, and I think it’s bullshit.” He raked me over, sneering. “I thought Ryan was taking you for a literal ride over the lunch period. Then I hear it’s been like that all summer long.”
This asshole.
I growled, jerking forward a step. “Are you kidding me?”
A twinge of wariness stirred in his eyes. The sneer dropped, but his glare was still there.
“Let’s run down the timeline. My family moves to Portside in June. I see Ryan at our parents’ company picnic June twenty-ninth. I didn’t even talk to him. Eight hours later, my sister kills herself.”
The glare faded.
“Four hours later, I’m at the Jensens’ house. Fast forward another month, I go to the movies with Ryan and his friends. Fast forward almost another month, I saw him this past weekend and yeah, we skipped today. Want to know why?”
I didn’t know when I’d advanced on him, but I didn’t think anyone could hold me back. I was seeing red. “Because I couldn’t fucking deal with not having my twin motherfucking sister with me today.”
I felt Ryan behind me. His hand on my back acted like a coolant. I felt some calm seep in, but I could still feel everyone in that room—their attention, their derision, their judgment.
Willow would’ve creamed them in minutes.
Feeling a bit more in control, I said, “You lost a cousin. I lost my other half. Save your judgment for the bitches who got in your head today.”
Silence.
If you’re going to get away with clocking one of those bitches, I’d do it now.
Willow was in my ear again. I could imagine her snide looks at Erin. I suppressed a laugh, knowing I couldn’t do either, but she so would have.
Ryan’s hand found mine. Softly, as if he were crooning to a cornered wild animal, he said, “Come on. Let’s go upstairs.”
Another surge of rage was coming, so I let him pull me upstairs. Nick and Tom moved aside. Ryan said something to them, but it was so low I couldn’t make it out. He led me upstairs to his room, and once inside, I waved him away. “Go. I know you want to talk to them. I’ll be fine.”
He hesitated at his door. “You sure?”
I nodded, not looking at him. “Yeah. I have to chill out. I know.”
“Kirk isn’t usually that wrong on things. He’ll correct himself.”
I wasn’t holding my breath.
I was embarrassed.
Those girls wanted a reaction, and they got one. I’d lost it in front of them. They got the win. They’d used Ryan’s best friend to get it out of me.
Point one for the rich bitches.
I sat at Ryan’s desk, grinning slightly at Willow’s words. She would’ve been impressed with them too.
You were cool as tight back there. Proud of you, little sis.
Cool as tight? I had no idea what that meant, but it was something my twin would’ve said, in a moment when she was “cool as tight” too.
There you go, thinking you’re funny. And look at you, getting it on with Ryan like you’re rabbits. Watch the sexual activity, twin sister. You don’t want to pop out little babies for Mom and Dad to ignore too.
I was full-on smiling. Fuck you, you dead bitch.
She would’ve laughed, and I swear, I almost heard it.
God.
Her presence was so strong.
Head’s up. Your Willow-replacement’s little sis is approaching. In three, two . . .
“Mackenzie?” Peach knocked on the door.
I froze for a second and then looked around. Was Willow actually there?
No.
I was going insane. That seemed more logical.
Ryan’s sister poked her head in. Seeing me, she pushed farther inside, shutting the door behind her with a gentle click. Her back kept to the door, and she looked down at her linked hands in front of her. “Um . . .”
She was there for something. I waited for whatever it was.
“I’m sorry.”
She stopped after that, and I frowned. “For what?”
“For?” Her chest lifted. She took a deep breath and looked up. Shame hung heavy, like bags under her eyes. “I didn’t really think about what you went through.” She held her hands up. “Are going