Page 79 of Revenge Cake

When I hear a ring, I look up from my menu to see Armaan’s phone light up on the table. Brenna’s name flashes on the screen. Without even glancing at the screen, Armaan picks up his phone and hits the silent button before setting it down on the table again. His eyes return to his menu. When I glance at Lauren, she doesn’t seem to notice.

We’re out to breakfast because Lauren hounded us both out of bed this morning. Though in retrospect, it didn’t take a whole lot of hounding to get Armaan to come, even though he rarely gets out of bed earlier than noon on a typical weekend.

They look like a couple as they sit side by side in comfortable silence, with me sitting across from them as the third wheel. They’ve been acting like a couple too. Luckily, I’m spared the awkwardness of having to confront them both at the same time, when Lauren asks Armaan to scoot over so she can get up and pee.

As soon as she walks out of sight, I don’t waste a second. “You know, I expect this kind of stuff from Lauren because she’s been doing it since we were teenagers, but I really thought you were above all this immature high school shit.”

He doesn’t look up from his menu. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know she slept in your room last night. I’m not an idiot.”

He exhales slowly, hesitating a few seconds before saying, “We didn’t have sex.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.”

“You’ve said it before,” he mumbles.

I slam my menu down. “Yeah, I know exactly what it’s like to be a shitty boyfriend, and lose my girlfriend because of it. So, have fun with that. Also, I know my sister a lot better than you do. Don’t let her anywhere near Brenna when she’s drunk tonight or she’ll tell her everything, and you’ll be in the exact same position I am now.”

He shrugs. “I’ll be fine. I’m not as delusional about my relationship as you are. It was fun with Brenna, at first, and then she became my mom. I’m over it.”

“If that’s the case, stop being a pussy and just break up with her.”

Finally, he shows some kind of emotion on his face. It’s not quite guilt, but it’s better than his almost aggressive indifference. “I’m planning on it.”

“Why couldn’t you have done it before Lauren slept in your room? It will be awkward for me if Lani and I get back together. She expects me to tell her things like that.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, his face looking pained. “Logan, you need to stop thinking about the two of you getting back together like it’s a sure thing. I really don’t think your little guitar performance is going to be the winner you’re hoping for. I think she’s more likely to get a restraining order.”

I’m spared the necessity of responding when Lauren returns. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Logan’s concert performance.”

She frowns at me. “I thought you changed your mind about that.”

I shake my head. “I have to talk to her. I need to apologize. I’m not going to embarrass her, though. I think I might try to sing a nice song for her. A song she likes.”

Armaan grimaces. “That will embarrass her more!”

I sigh heavily. “I know. I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

CHAPTER 34

Leilani

The ocean breeze cools my hot cheeks as I step outside. The living room and kitchen have grown small and muggy with the steady inflow of warm bodies. I needed to get away, and I couldn’t escape to my room like a hermit, so instead I came out to our front porch.

The very place he’s supposedly “serenading” me tonight.

The thought makes my breathing shallow, but not because I’m embarrassed. Social anxiety would be like a luxurious day at the spa compared to this crushing guilt.

I have to tell him.

I have to explain my list, and how everything that happened—all of his pain—was part of my calculated plan.

And he’s going to hate me.

I wish it were over already.

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