Page 105 of We Can't Be Friends

“You don’t need to pretend with me, Dais.”

“Pretending? I’m not pretending,” I scoff.

Cal takes the spatula from my hand, flipping and removing the pancakes from the heat. Then turns down the dial.

“Something is wrong. I’m not going to force you to tell me, but you don’t have to pretend everything is okay when you’re around me. I don’t want the person you are with everyone else. I want the real you. The raw you. That’s the Chloe I like. So do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

Before I have a chance to think about my words, it slips out.

“I have another brother.” Whatever gate was withholding these words is open. “We used to be close. . . like you and Audrey. Watching the two of you reminds me of my relationship with him.”

“Where is he now?”

“Nowhere close. We aren’t able to speak anymore.”

“I’m sorry, Chloe.”

I nod, scrunching my nose, lips tight. Cal swipes at my eye.

God, I hope I’m not crying.

“Eyelash.” He presents the black strand. “Make a wish.”

I blow on the pad of his thumb.

“What did you wish for?”

“It won’t come true if I tell you.”

“You hope this one comes true.”

Staring up at him, I respond, “Yeah, I do.”

29

CALLUM

Chloe and Audrey becoming friends might be a nightmare.

In the past week, they have grown extremely chummy with each other. To the point that I think my sister forgot I exist. It surprised me because, like me, Chloe keeps a tight circle.

Audrey does have her way of worming herself into people's lives. She’s such a people person, thrives off other’s energy, never met a foe. Honestly, Chloe might not like her, and Audrey just doesn’t care. That’s probably way more plausible.

Audrey walks into the living room, plopping into a chair.

“We’re going out tonight.”

I set my book in my lap, glancing at my little sister. I cough. “In that?”

“Yeah?” she retorts as if I’m stupid. “It’s hot.”

“Mom would kill me if I let you go out in that.”

“Mom isn’t here. . . ” Audrey’s eyes bounce around the room. “And you nor anyone else get to tell me what I can and cannot wear.” She rolls her eyes and huffs, “Men.”

“I’m only looking out for—” My mouth goes dry as Chloe walks down the stairs.

Leather mini skirt with sheer black tights. Thigh-high leather boots that make her legs look like they go on for days. A ribbed long-sleeved black turtleneck that accentuates her breasts. She spins and takes all my thoughts with her when I see that her shirt is backless.

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