Page 49 of Deceit

“I don’t know what to think. I’m just now finding out my innocent virgin friend has a side piece. C’mon, you have to tell me! Best friends don’t keep secrets.”

I shake my head in refusal, causing her to pout.

“Fine, I’m going to start rattling off names. Jeremy Stroughton?”

Shaking my head, I internally cringe. I fear blowing him off may have earned myself a forever enemy. The guy hasn’t even looked at me since. I actually feel kind of bad about it.

“Oh, did you go for his bestie, Dane?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No.”

“Oh, oh. What about Andrew Hutchinson? That boy is smitten over you, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s an amazing fuck.”

“Jesus, Maggie. I haven’t slept with anyone. I’m still a virgin.”

“But you aren’t as innocent as you portray. Hmmm, maybe not a student. Faculty?”

I do my best to remain composed, but something I do must give it away because she gets excited and begins rattling off all my teachers and even the headmaster.

“Fucking come on!” she says, clearly frustrated. “Coach Ronan?” she throws out.

My stomach flips at his name, but I shake my head. Unfortunately, my best friend pauses, her eyes narrowing as she cocks her head to the side.

“You’re lying.”

“What?” I ask.

“You’re lying. Your right pupil dilated when I said his name.”

I scoff. “Pfft, what do you think, you’re a human lie detector or something?”

“Precisely,” she says, with a satisfied smile. “You’re getting more than just swim time when you go down to the pool, huh?”

I feel heat hit my face, as embarrassment from her words takes over. I quickly look around and notice a few groups of peoplehave gathered outside. None of them are close enough to hear us, but one is my pig of a fiancé. He currently has Bridgette Brenton straddling his lap and sucking on his neck, much like his uncle was doing to me earlier.

Ironic.

“Don’t worry, babe. Secrets go in the vault with me. I’ll literally take them to my grave.”

“Please do,” I say, bringing my eyes to her. “Ronan thinks it would be really bad if people found out about us.”

“Well, yeah. You both would probably be hung in the courtyard for all to see if the Elders heard about this.”

“The Elders? Who are—”

“Hey pretty ladies,” Liam smiles, as he hops onto the table we’re sitting at, scooting himself until he is all but sitting on top of my salad.

“Walcott,” Maggie says coolly.

Since I told her how Liam was a part of the whole grave situation, she’s gone out of her way to be as much of a bitch as possible. Asher is clearly untouchable, but his equally guilty partner in crime? Not at all.

Something I’ve noticed about Liam since meeting him, is that he’s desperate for attention. He will do anything or become anyone for it. The flirt, the class clown, whatever it takes. It clearly derives from not getting enough attention at home as a child but that doesn’t mean he needs to participate in straight up bullying just to stay in the inner circle. It honestly just makes him a coward.

“Please go away,” I say stiffly.

“Aw, c’mon, babygirl. You can’t still be mad about the bonfire. It was just a little new kid hazing. You got out didn’t you?”

“No thanks to you,” I snap, turning my gaze on him as I shake my head. “I could have been there for hours, Liam. All night even. I was cold and afraid and alone.”

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