Page 298 of Blood & Betrayals

I glance at him in the mirror. “You want to talk? Tell me what happened yesterday.”

“We… worked out,” he says, and I can tell he had to force the words out.

I nod once, focusing on my workout again.

“And you told me about your engagement,” he says, and I glance at him again.

“And from then on, you acted differently with me. Why?” I ask, probing at him. If Max and I are going to be friends, we need to have a base level of communication. I know he’s a barely evolved caveman, but I think he can manage not to be a massive wang.

Max shrugs. “It just took me a moment to adjust.”

I put the weight down and look at him over my shoulder. “Adjust to what? Nothing’s changed.”

Max looks away, mumbling something under his breath.

“What?” I ask

He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “To you know… Golden boy winning again,” Max growls, his voice a little louder,

I frown, turning to face him fully. “Winning?”

“You know.” Max pointedly looks at the ring, and I frown, looking down at it too.

“He won… me?”

Max shrugs.

I shake my head, rolling my eyes. “You make it sound like there were others that wanted the prize.” My brow furrows, and I try to decide if I am offended at being considered a prize.

Max shrugs again, and I roll my eyes before going back to my workout.

“Whatever. Are you going to fight or not?” Max grumbles petulantly.

“Are you going to be a normal asshole and not a weird asshole?” I ask. Max just stares at me. “Whatever. I’m so sick of you playing hot and cold. I get it. You don’t want to be around me now that I’ve been tainted with gold and diamonds. Go away, Max.”

Max blinks and straightens. “I’m playing hot and cold? Are you fucking serious?” he asks, his voice growing louder.

I glare at him.

Max throws up his hands. “You’re the one who is constantly hot and cold. I need a fucking manual to figure out how I’ve pissed you off this time.”

I cross my arms. “I’m only ever mad at you for being a dickhead.”

“But your definition of dickhead seems to change every fucking day.”

I shake my head and put the weight back on the rack. “Bye.” I walk past Max, but again, he grabs me before I get out of reach. I don’t look at him, but I do listen.

“Listen, my entire life, I have struggled and scraped and tried so hard just to get by. I work my ass off every day, and it just feels like golden boy gets everything without even trying.”

I look at him, my brows furrowed. “What is it he has that you want?”

Max scoffs. “You mean besides the popularity, the girl everybody wants, the money, the family, the parents?” My brows furrow more. “You seriously never realized?” he asked.

“Well, I mean, sure, he’s popular, and his family is great, but I think you’re overstating it about me. Pretty significantly, actually. I’m literally one half of the disaster duo.”

Max shakes his head, releasing my arm. “You don’t know?”

“Know what, Max?” I ask, throwing my hands up.

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