Page 74 of You're To Blame 2

“Tate, don’t. I can promise if you touch me, I’ll fall apart.”

Bowling balls crashing into pins filled the air around us.

“I won’t. After what happened at the game, I needed to be next to you.” Concern laced his words.

My eyes closed briefly.

“Cosmic bowling has begun,” an employee announced overhead.

My eyes popped open. Neon lights danced throughout the dark bowling alley.

“You play asshole convincingly.”

“Baby, I never pretended not to be an asshole. I was just no longer an asshole to you. Later tonight, I plan to bury my face between your legs and feast on your goodness that I love so much.”

His words left me breathless before he walked away. I swear I came a little. Only Tate had that effect on me. Faking I was attracted to Lake after that moment was difficult. Was that my boyfriend’s plan all along?

I strolled over to Connie and threw my arms around her neck from behind. “Vodka please?”

I took a swig after she gave me the flask.

“What did king douche want? And don’t lie. Not sure what’s up with you two, but I can tell you are still fucking him. And if I can, others can too.”

I felt his eyes on me, but I didn’t peek. We were failing at pretending to not be in a relationship.

“You got me. I fell victim to him earlier. It’s just sex.”

She snickered. “The way he looks at you. That’s not lust. It’s love.” She gasped. “He loves you.”

Connie turned and yanked me into a dark corner.

“We’ve been friends since the school year started. I know you are holding out. You can trust me.”

Connie was the only person who didn’t care I was the outcast.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to involve you in our dangerous world.”

Her eyes widened. “Dangerous?” She pondered on my words. “Spill.”

I divulged the important details in fifteen-minutes.

“Connie, close your mouth. You’ll draw attention to us.” I scanned the lanes. Lake, Tate and one of his jock buddies argued probably about sports. Rocco couldn’t stop smiling at Kelsea. They needed to come out with us more often.

My eyes fell back on Connie.

“Tate’s an asshole but Mason’s down right evil.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “My ex-best friend wants me dead. And she’s sent the deep southernerfrom down home Alabama to handle her dirty work. I will take her down.”

She pulled me into a hug. “Whatever you need let me know.”

“I can’t pull you into my fucked up world.”

“Nonsense, we are in this together.”

“Thanks, Connie. Let’s join the gang.”

∞

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