Page 87 of Blood & Betrayals

“Thank you for coming to dinner. I know it wasn’t easy for you, but I’m happy you came.”

“Me too, big guy.”

Connor stands up. “I wish I could stay longer.”

“Breakfast tomorrow, though, right, boyfriend?”

He bends down and starts smothering my face in kisses. “Just try to stop me.” He gives me one last deep kiss before tearing himself away.

I stretch out on the bed, savoring the slight ache between my thighs, before sighing happily. I pull on pajamas before going to Alice’s room and climbing into bed with her. She’s in almost complete darkness. The only light is coming from the television. She’s watching that shitty vampire drama show again. The characters are speaking in some vampiric language, but Alice doesn’t even ask before turning on the subtitles, so I know what the fuck is going on.

“Okay, so Demetri is fucking Hectore, but Sylivia has just found out she is having a baby that was conceived the night they all were part of this major orgy. Sylivia is married to Demetri but is in love with Toma. Oh, and Hectore and Toma are brothers.”

I blink at the screen. An extremely pale lady is sitting on a throne, holding what looks like a still-beating heart.

“Oh, that’s her pet heart. It’s called Ruiz.”

I look at Alice. “How do you watch this shit?”

“Excuse me?I Got the V from His Dis the best thing on television.”

I laugh and grab my phone to scroll throughNexus. The post from Connor is at the top of my notifications. I accept it, and it pops up on my page. I wonder if 1015 will see the post. The ever-present grey blob is a constant watcher of my stories.

“Did you see Connor’s post?” I ask, shoving my phone away and glancing at Alice.

“I did. What made you take the plunge?”

I smile, looking up at the ceiling. “I mean, how could I not?”

“He’s annoying like that. I’ve tried so hard not to like him.” Alice shrugs.

My phone starts vibrating like mad, and I glance at it, seeing the likes coming through for the post. “Fuck, this post has hundreds of likes already.”

“Well,” Alice smirks, “you are dating the most popular guy at Avalon.”

I sigh, a little more uneasy than I was a moment before. “I’m not sure that I want to be in the spotlight.”

“Summer, I hate to tell you this, but I think regardless of whether you decided to become official with Connor, you were never going to be a wallflower.”

“I didn’t…” I glance at her. “Make a mistake, did I?”

Alice tilts her head. “Does it feel like a mistake?”

I turn inward, trying to focus on my gut instinct. Since the first night I escaped, I have listened to it, and it has never steered me wrong. But this is completely uncharted territory. I wish someone would give me a fucking map.

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Then that’s it, but if you want, we can still kill them all,” Alice adds, returning her attention to the television.

“Oh, by the way, we’re going to try out for the cheerleading team.”

“What? Why?” Alice blinks at me.

“Because I want to, and you’re my best friend.”

“I respect the guilt trip.” She sighs heavily. “Fine.”

I climb out of bed. “I’m going to bed. Con is coming round for breakfast in the morning.”

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