Page 24 of Our Ruined Beginnings

“Harper, what did he say?”

I turn toward Kinsley, but before I can settle my gaze on her, it’s drawn to a parking spot farther in the distance. A red Ford Mustang idles in the space, and my breath catches in my throat at the familiar sight.

Of fucking course…

Madden

J. Cole blares through the speakers, and my fingers tap against the leather steering wheel as my engine idles. I can think of much better things to do than hanging around the mall on the weekend, but since Evan got way too fucking drunk last night and left his car at Bethany’s house, I’m stuck playing chauffeur. There’s no way I’m letting his ass get behind the wheel of a car until he can walk in a straight line and speak without slurring his words.

After the summer, I chilled out, cut right back on the booze and drugs—unable to stomach the thought of either of them. Evan, on the other hand, seems to be leaning into that lifestyle, getting wasted every chance he gets.

It’s not my place to judge how he chooses to deal, but it’s becoming a real fucking problem when I’m stuck playing babysitter to make sure I don’t lose another friend.

Bright pink fingernails tap against the passenger-side window, and I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose, then roll my window down. Bethany tagged along when I picked Evan up, and now, she smiles widely at me. Her white tee has a deep V on the chest, and with the way she leans her arms against the open window, I’ve got a front-row seat to her cleavage, should I want one.

Newsflash … I don’t.

I’m not even sure why she’s here. She’s always fucking here. Wherever Evan and I are, Bethany and her merry band of bitches are five steps behind. Actually, five steps behind would be preferable to the way she’s always up my ass.

Even now, she places her hand on my forearm as she opens her mouth to say something vapid, I’m sure, but it hangs there agape as something past me catches her attention. A frown contorts her face, and though I don’t normally give a shit about what upsets her, I know what … or who … could get that reaction from her.

“God, I feel like she’s everywhere,” Bethany whines, and I can hear the pout in her voice even as I’m turning away from her, searching for Harper across the lot.

There she stands, peering past Kinsley warily as she watches us. Her eyes narrow slightly, as if assessing, but there’s also sadness etched into her features.

Unfortunately, I can still read her as easily as I’ve always been able to—as if her every thought is written across that beautiful face. I fucking hate that it’s the first thing I notice, and I have to fight the instinct to do anything to make it disappear. It’s like fresh heartbreak every time my mind catches up and I remember where we are now, who she is. What she’s done.

“Can we help you?” I haven’t noticed Kinsley turning to look at us too, but there she stands, with a hand on her hip and a frown on her face.

“Just taking it slow. Can never be too careful when Harper’s near a car,” Bethany says in her shrill, fake-nice voice.

“Nice excuse. Clearly you’ve got what you wanted, so no need for any more curb-crawling.”

“I’m not a prostitute, you fucking bitch!” Bethany screeches, and I wince at her high-pitched squeal.

“I suppose you can’t be if you give it up for free, huh.”

“Madden!” she whines, as if I give a shit what’s said about her. What I don’t miss, though, is the way Harper flinches at the insinuation I’m sleeping with Bethany—as if I ever would. Bethany has been a pain in my ass since we started here last year; an increase in persistence from her isn’t about to convince me to give in.

“I wouldn’t bother,” Harper coos. “Madden’s not the loyal type.”

I fume at her casual dismissal of me and her entirely fucking inaccurate depiction. Not the loyal type? The fact I can’t bring myself to be around her or forgive her has nothing to do with my loyalty and everything to do withher. My gaze narrow dangerously at her, but she stares me down, showing no hint of retreat.

Before I can reply, a low whistle comes from around the car and Evan appears, looking between the car and the girls.

“What’s going on?” he asks suspiciously, breaking Harper’s focus.

“Come on, let’s go,” she says to Kinsley, and they turn away from us, walking back toward the mall. Even as Evan and Bethany start peppering me with questions, I watch her until she disappears into the elevator.

Chapter Eleven

Harper

Icouldn’ttellKinsleywhat my father had said. I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. Once we’d safely reached the mall again, I’d tried to tell her that it was an issue with the bank and that we should try shopping again another day. I should’ve known better—of course she’d insist on paying instead.

Normally, it wouldn’t even be a big deal, but knowing I have no way of paying her back makes me feel like I’m using her, or something equally as shitty. I spend the rest of the afternoon trying to field Kinsley and convince her that none of the clothing we saw was jumping out at me, but if anything, it made her worse. By the time we make the last trip back to the car, I’m surprised we can get anything else into it.

She throws herself down into the driver’s seat with a tired huff.

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