Page 9 of The Friend Zone

Lakyn looks happy and I promise I’m not jealous. Not even a little bit. If anyone deserves all the happiness in the world, it's my sister.

However I don’t know if it’s that she has her life together when mine has literally gone up in flames, or her mention of a fire, but I burst into tears.

“Bay,” Lakyn immediately worries. “Babe, what’s going on? Please tell me what’s wrong or I’m going to ask Luigi to drive me to Star Cove rather than to downtown Bridgeport. I can be there in three hours.”

The genuine worry in her tone has the effect of making me cry harder. I shake my head, embarrassed as tears overwhelm me to the point that I’m wheezing as one desperate sob after another erupts from my lips.

“Fuck it,” Lakyn says. “Let me get dressed and call Luigi. I can let the guys know that there’s a change of plan while we drive.”

“No,” I manage to say through the tears. “You don’t need to cancel your plans on my account. I’m going to be fine. I just?—”

Lakyn knows about the fire at the Zeta house. It was all over the local news and social media, so it would have been impossible to keep it from her.

What I haven’t told her though is where I’ve been relocated since that fateful night.

It all comes out in a tearful confession. I spill everything. From moving into the Gamma house and in Topher’s former room, to my deal with Jagger. I end my story with the aftermath of my argument with Ryker.

I never thought I could shock Lakyn into silence, but my twin sister is staring at me with wide eyes. Her mouth opens and closes making her look like a fish out of water.

“I don’t even know what to say, Bay.” She finally utters, shaking her head in disbelief. “You moved in with the hockey team? In the frat house? But that isn’t even the most shocking thing you just said. I mean, what the actual fuck?”

I sigh. “I know, I know. Maybe offering to blow Jagger before every home game isn’t my brightest idea, but?—”

“I’m not judging you because of that,” she interrupts me.

“No?” I ask, surprised.

“Of course not.” She rolls her eyes. “You’re single and gorgeous and a total catch. If you want to be friends with benefits with an equally single and smoking hot hockey player, who am I to judge you? I just can’t believe you talked shit about my relationship with Jon when you weren’t in a better situation than I was.”

I hang my head, defeated. “I know and I owe you an apology, Lake. I just?—”

“I’m not really mad at you,” Lakyn interrupts me. “You were right. Everything you said and did last year helped me find Cash, Blaze and Luca. I owe it to you that I’m happier than I’ve ever thought possible. I’m not surprised that your ex is too fucking selfish to be good in bed. I mean, it’s Topher we’re talking about.”

I sigh. “Yeah, you’re right. He hasn’t always been a raging asshole, though. When we first met, he was so sweet, so romantic. He was thoughtful and kind and I made him wait for months before we slept together. You know I don’t sleep around, I just want sex to mean more than just sex. By the time I did sleep with Topher, I was already in love with him. He talked such a big game about how experienced he was that I thought there must have been something wrong with me if I didn’t come when we had sex.”

Lakyn nods. “Believe it or not, I get that. What I don’t understand is why you never told me. I thought we had no secrets from each other.”

Guilt weighs in my chest like a led balloon. “I just… I didn’t even really admit it to myself until I realized who Topher really was. I told myself that kissing and cuddling was enough and that thebig omust have been some kind of urban legend. At first Topher put me on a pedestal and I never noticed how shitty he was to everyone else. I was so wrapped up in my power couple dream, that I convinced myself it didn’t matter if our physical relationship wasn’t amazing. After all, I had never been able to come with Brad either and we dated three years in high school. Topher used to get so impatient when his moves didn’t work on me. He made me think there was something wrong with me.”

Lakyn looks furious. “God, I’ve never wanted to kick your ex in the nuts as much as I do right now. And believe me, after all the shitty things he did to me and the guys last year, that’s definitely saying something.”

Just when I didn’t think I could love Lakyn anymore, her understanding and her support means everything to me. “Thanks, Lakey.” I say, feeling tearful again, because Jagger is the only other person I confided in. “I don’t know what to do,” I admit. “The Dean pretty much hates me. I think Bianca might have poisoned the well with him and I’m worried he’ll make rebuilding the house as difficult as possible.”

Everyone who knows us well, has always considered me the strong one. But they’re wrong. I’m just more outgoing, but Lakyn has a quiet strength I’ve admired since we were kids.

“Yeah, I’m sure Bianca must have told her daddy a shit ton of lies to make you look like the bad guy. When we all know the truth, her father might have no reason not to believe her.”

She’s right. “Yeah, but what do I do? Do I walk away from the Zetas and let her have the presidency? You weren’t there yesterday, I think some of the sisters really blame me for the fire.”

Lakyn is furious. “Absolutely not. Don’t you dare let Bianca win. I don’t have proof but I’m convinced she was behind those horrible posts about me last year.”

I don’t disagree with her, but the situation doesn’t change. “Even if the insurance pays us—and that’s debatable at this point—with all those new laws, the rebuild is going to be more expensive than I thought. And we only have until the end of next summer to do it. At this rate, we won’t even be able to start the works for months. Even if I put down every cent I have to my name as a deposit, I don’t think it would be enough.”

“I’m telling Luca,” Lake bites out. “He can talk to the Dean and he could lend you the money until the insurance comes through.”

I begin shaking my head even before she’s done speaking. “Absolutely not. I’m not taking Luca’s money. And what am I going to do if the insurance deems the fire intentional and theydon’t pay? I can’t owe Luca that much money.” I use my firmest tone, before she can even try to convince me that Luca is going to be happy to help.

“Can I at least talk to him?” Lakyn pleads. “Maybe Luca can give you some advice on what to do?”

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