Page 143 of Wicked Rockstar

“What?” I snapped.

“You’re in love with him.”

I rolled my head side-to-side trying to relieve the tightness in my neck and the ache that had started there. “I thought that was pretty obvious.”

“Shit, Tris. I just thought it was all an act. Like maybe you were trying to make me jealous, or he was being a dick and trying to get back at me.”

Because, of course, the world revolved around Peter. I was not about to tell him he’d been right, initially anyway. Because right now it didn’t matter. That’s not who Killian and I were to each other.

Not anymore.

“I kind of hate you right now, Peter.” He’d intentionally and unintentionally kept so much from me.

“I know, Tris.” He let out a shaky sigh. “You really are my best friend. I can’t lose you. I know I’ve totally fucked things up between us.” A begging Peter was not one I could remember ever seeing.

“You kind of have,” I replied.

“Please don’t end our friendship. How can I make it up to you?” he asked.

This was the Peter I remembered from our youth. He had always been a little selfish, but the man he’d become only looked out for his best interests. And screw everyone else.

I hated that side of him.

“You don’t control my life anymore. I’m not jumping when you ask for something and I’m giving you my notice.”

He opened his mouth, likely to protest, until Wendy elbowed him in the ribs.

“Okay,” he grunted.

“I’ll help find a replacement, and I’ll get us through the charity event, but I need to followmydreams, not yours.”

He nodded.

“And you and Killian need to figure things out because I’m done choosing between the two of you.” I hadn’t been this honest with Peter in a long time, but one thing I’d realized over the past few weeks, keeping the peace wasn’t always going to cut it. Peter needed tough love. And as his friend, he deserved for me to tell him the truth.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. I’ll try.”

“Good.” That was probably the best I could hope for, for now anyway. “Because it’s the only way to salvage our friendship.”

I glanced at the clock. It had been a few hours since Killian had stormed out and I’d headed to the conference room to meetwith Peter and Wendy. As much as I hated to do it, Killian likely needed a little more time to cool off before I confronted him about his ridiculous assumptions.

Peter shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Huh. Peter thinking of someone other than himself?

I gave him a tentative grin. We still had a lot of repairing to do with our friendship, but I’d take this olive branch. “I’d like to work. I need to distract myself until I’m ready to talk to Killian and tell him he’s just as much of an ass as you are.”

Peter opened his mouth, but shut it when Wendy pinched his side.

“Let’s stay focused and we’ll make sure that happens, right, Peter?” Wendy’s raised eyebrow and tone was easy to read and I hoped Peter listened.

He pursed his lips and gave a stiff nod. “Sure.”

It was pretty funny watching Wendy tell Peter what to do. I hoped she never stopped. She was good for him.

We spent the next hour going over our social media campaign, set up the necessary photoshoots, and made travel arrangements for the mini-tour to promote our event.

A sharp pang hit me at the thought of leaving Killian for the tour. But I was not about to borrow trouble. Killian and I would make amends before I left and we’d figure out how to make it work.

---