Page 69 of The Wrong Bachelor

“I know,” Evan gushed, clearly excited by his date. “I only wish I didn’t have to do our group date with Cole tonight or we could have met up tonight.”

Evan wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to go on the group date with Cole anymore. I let a sigh slip out as I considered how painful tonight would be. It was bad enough hearing about Cole and Laurie kissing. I wasn’t sure that I was ready to witness it.

“It’ll be okay,” Evan said, as if he sensed my apprehension.

“Will it though?” I asked.

He linked his arm through mine as we started to walk to history. “I suspect that Cole Kingston likes you every bit as much as you like him,” he said.

I shook my head. “I don’t like him like that.”

Evan paused and looked at me. “I think we both know that you do, but I understand if you’re not ready to say it out loud. I’m totally here for when you decide you need a wingman to help you get the guy though.”

“Thanks, Evan, you’re the best.”

“I really am,” he agreed.

I didn’t have any classes with Cole on Fridays, and I couldn’t decide if it was a good or a bad thing that I might not see him. A couple of weeks ago I wouldn’t have cared that Cole and Laurie had kissed, but we’d come such a long way in that time, and I found that the news hurt. I decided it was probably for the best that I avoided him. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the same luck with Laurie.

I’d somehow managed to go the whole school day without seeing either one of them. But, just after the final bell, I spotted Laurie and her friends coming down the corridor toward me.

I felt like a rabbit in the headlights as Laurie’s eyes met mine and lit with glee. I half considered turning and running away, but I couldn’t bring myself to hide from whatever confrontation was coming. I knew I would have to face her another time, and if I didn’t do it now, Laurie would feel she’d won.

“You may as well give up now, Madi. Cole’s as good as mine,” Laurie said. Sally and Brooke were both standing behind her like bodyguards protecting their mob boss. Not that Laurie needed any back up when she picked a battle.

I merely shook my head at her. Getting into a fight with Laurie was the last thing I wanted. I didn’t fancy my chances. If only Hayley were with me. She was the fire in our dynamic duo and would have no problem putting Laurie in her place—head cheerleader or not.

“He’s such an amazing kisser,” she gloated. “Not that you would know. The closest you’ll ever get to his lips is watching our incredible kiss this Sunday.”

I went to walk past her, but Laurie grabbed my arm tightly, her nails digging into my skin. She stepped in close, lowering her lips to my ear. “Tell me you give up,” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Laurie murmured darkly. “Tell me he’s mine or a few words on your locker will be the least of your worries.”

I jerked back from her and looked her in the eyes. “That was you?”

“I never said that.” She smiled, but there was no friendliness in the expression. It was 100% cruel.

My heart was racing though, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was her. I felt a wave of relief as I spotted Hayley coming toward me down the corridor. Laurie followed my gaze and immediately dropped my arm. I guess she didn’t want an audience, or at least not one that wasn’t afraid to fight back.

“Remember what I’ve said,” Laurie warned before turning her back on me and sauntering away. Her threat was clear. Leave Cole alone or else…

Brooke and Sally went to follow. Sally was giggling, like what she’d just witnessed was highly entertaining. But Brook paused as she went to leave. Her cheeks were flushed and there was a sad look in her eyes. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she sighed and turned to follow her friends.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Hayley said, as she came up to me.

I realized I was shaking after my encounter with Laurie, so it didn’t surprise me that the blood had also rushed from my face. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or sadness I was feeling though. It felt like a mixture of both.

“I’ve been speaking to Laurie,” I replied, “which is far more terrifying than seeing a ghost.”

Hayley frowned and glanced over her shoulder in the direction Laurie had disappeared. “What did she want?”

I repeated my conversation with Laurie to Hayley as we slowly started to make our way out to her car. When I finished, I had to physically grab hold of Hayley’s arm to stop her from racing back into the school.

“Please don’t make a scene,” I pleaded with her.

“But she threatened you!”

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