Page 46 of The Masks We Wear

“She’ll probably have someone kick us the fuck out on sight.”

He huffs, puffing up his chest. “And we beat their ass like old times.”

“You know I can’t.” With William, I don’t have to explain things when it comes to my mom. Too many occasions, he’s had to help me find her when she went on walks and didn’t come back for hours. He was actually the one to call my dad and let him know what was going on. I was hardheaded. Thinking I could carry the weight of her, school, and my future. I think part of me didn’t want to give up his real friendship and come back to the one that broke me in two.

“How is Ms. Hanes?”

I shrug, rubbing the spot above my shirt pocket. “Her and my dad are visiting some places this weekend. Where she might be more comfortable.” That last part is a whisper.

Williams’ lips form a thin line. “I’m sorry, man.”

I shake my head. “It’s just...one day, she won’t remember me at all. And I don’t want her last memory to be of me disappointing her. If that means I take Lily’s shit a little longer, so be it.”

William nods. “Yeah, man, I get it. Alright. Well, I promise to behave if you say we can go.” He holds up two fingers pinched together. “Scout’s honor.”

“Says the same boy who went across to the girl scouts camp and got a blowjob.”

“Hey! Still to this day, the best blowie of my life.”

We erupt in laughter. A genuine, deep, fuck-the-rest-of-the-world, laughter. And for two seconds, I forget the pain digging in my side.

“WE’RE OUTSIDE.”I end the call and point to Remy’s driveway. I told her I was being kidnapped and dragged to a party against my will. She threatened to call off work an entire week if we didn’t pick her up too.

She appears in seconds, and William sucks in a sharp breath. Her curvy frame is on full display under a cream sweater hanging over leggings. Tan boots grip her calves and have a heel, boosting her small height a few inches. A woven beanie sits at the back of her head, leaving her face exposed. There’s a blush overtaking her cheeks and button nose, somehow making her cuter.

I hit Will in the shoulder before he can get any ideas. “She’s off-limits.”

“Ugh.” He rubs his bicep, scowling but not taking his eyes off Remy. “You don’t like her, so why can’t I have some fun?”

“Romance reader.”

His annoyingly bright eyes flash to me. “Fuck. Yeah, hard pass.”

Remy stops when she sees us, so I open my door, waving her over. “We took William’s truck.”

“Yeah, I can see that. It’s huge. How in the world am I going to get in there?”

“I’ll pull you up.”

She walks closer, moving cautiously until she’s at my side. She looks up and sees Williams’ perfect smile next to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Remy’s eyes so big. “H-hi.”

Holding out my hand, she grasps it, hoisting herself into the back of the truck, her gaze flicking to his too many times.

I sigh, close the door, and make the introductions quick. “William, Remy. Remy, William.”

“Hey-a, sugar. Nice to meet you.”

It’s hard to keep my eyes from rolling. It’s like he can’t even help it—his promiscuous nature oozes from every part of him whether he wants it to or not.

We take the ride back to my neighborhood, and I can’t seem to hear the conversation they start having. Each time we pass a stop sign that’s closer to her house my pulse increases, leaving a whooshing sound in my ears that makes my head dizzy.

I haven’t seen her since the kiss. And after William answered a few of my spam calls, even that’s died, leaving me to think it all fucking happened in my head.

But when we pull up, and I feel the thud of my heart in my throat, I know it didn’t. My body vibrates with the fucked-up combination of nerves, anger, and arousal. I’m beginning to think I’m going crazy. That’s what Lily’s done to me.

Always done to me.

Made me think things that weren’t real. Feelings, who she was... the list goes on.

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