Page 36 of Blades of Obsession

Skye’s humming pauses, followed by a scoff, then the humming starts back up. When I make it to my shoe rack, my phone buzzes in my hand.

Blade: I got your favorite snacks, obviously gluten-free. I set up the theater to look… romantic? I don’t know, I’m not good at that stuff. Am I missing anything?

Blade: Oh yeah, I got you everything you need for the morning including the skincare you said you like. Just bring your pretty little self and that’s it. No change of clothes either. I want you to wear my big t-shirt

I bite my lip, feeling the corners of my mouth twitch up into a smile on its own. A warmth spreads in my chest, the kind of warmth that wraps around you and hugs every nerve ending.

Skye clears her throat, and the moment shatters like glass. My head snaps up to her, expecting her to have given in, but instead, she’s facing the computer, still ignoring me.

“You sure you’re not coming?” I ask one last time.

Silence.

It ticks on.

“Okay,” I murmur softly, more to myself.

The seven-minute car ride is quiet, except for the low roar of the engine. I decide not to bother Rhett by talking—he looks disheveled, eyes heavy like he just rolled out of bed. I feel a little bad now for having him come to pick me up.

As soon as I step into the living room, I spot Frankie lounging on the couch, and I don’t know why, but seeing her instantly lightens my mood. I head straight for her and drop down beside her, letting out a long sigh as I settle in.

“Rough day?” she teases.

Before I can answer, some brunette girl bounces—literallyskips—over and plops down next to us. “I love your necklace.”There’s something… weird about her inflection that I can’t quite place.

I glance down, a little startled. Sometimes I forget that I’m even wearing this thing. That is until Blade pulls on it and my airway constricts and I feel all—

I clear my throat. “Oh, thanks.”

“You have such great style. We should totally hang out sometime. I mean, between you and me…” The brunette lowers her voice and looks to the other couch. “Those two other girls over there? Bitches. You don’t want to be friends with them. But you—”

Frankie leans forward, narrowing her eyes. “Look, lady, we know you’re just trying to cozy up to her to get closer to Blade. And guess what? It’s not gonna work. So take the L and get lost. You’re annoying as fuck, and she doesn’t need fake friends.”

I blink, a little stunned. I… didn’t even know that was her end game. But now that I’m thinking about it, it suddenly seems obvious.

The brunette’s expression sours, her exaggerated smile dropping like it was a mask all along. “You’ve got a lot of nerve,” she snaps. “I was just being nice. No need to be a bitch about it. And nobody wanted to be friends with her anyway, she’s way too shy.”

“Bitch? Oh, I’m the biggestbitchyou’ll ever meet. I see you’re just late to the party. Anddon’ttalk about my friend like that.”

The argument escalates fast—raised voices, flying insults. The tension in the room thickens like black smoke until Frankie leaps up, launching herself at the girl.

What. The. Hell.

They crash into the coffee table, sending drinks and snacks flying as they wrestle. Frankie’s practically beating the shit out of her.

How do I even stop a fight? Oh my God.

“Hey!” Blade’s voice—his hot, angry voice—echoes through the space, sending shivers down my spine. It’s a single word, but it commands the attention of every single person in the room. Everyone freezes, even Frankie mid-swing. I look over and he’s leaning against the doorframe with Asher right beside him. “What the hell is going on?”

Frankie and the brunette both try to speak at once, jumbled up excuses and accusations running into each other.

“Stop,” Blade commands, and they both shut their mouths immediately. He scans the room and finally lands on a thirty-something man who looks like he could be a commander in the army. “Roger, escort the brunette off the premises and put her on the do-not-return list.” The brunette puts up a hell of a fight, but ultimately Roger’s massive frame is no match for her.

Only then does Blade shift his focus to Frankie, his tone softening just a fraction. “You good?” he asks.

Frankie grins up at him like nothing just happened. “Yeah,” she says, a little breathless. “I’m good.”

Asher takes a step forward. “Frankie.” Frankie averts her eyes, pretending she didn’t hear him. “Frankie,” he repeats, his tone firmer.

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